External Affairs & Communications Officer, HISTORIC HOUSES

Guardian Jobs; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Ein dynamisches Unternehmen sucht einen External Affairs & Communications Officer, der leidenschaftlich für Erbe und Kultur ist. In dieser Rolle sind Sie verantwortlich für die Kommunikation mit den Medien, das Erstellen von ansprechendem Content und die Verwaltung von Presseanfragen. Sie werden Teil eines kleinen, hochmotivierten Teams, das eng zusammenarbeitet, um die Geschichten und Aktivitäten der Mitgliedsorganisationen zu fördern. Wenn Sie kreative Ideen haben und in einem inspirierenden Umfeld arbeiten möchten, ist dies die perfekte Gelegenheit für Sie.

Qualifications

• Erfahrung in Kommunikations- und Pressearbeit.
• Starke schriftliche und mündliche Kommunikationsfähigkeiten.

Responsibilities

• Hauptansprechpartner für Presseanfragen und Pflege von Medienbeziehungen.
• Erstellung von Pressemitteilungen und Verwaltung der Verteilung.

Skills

Kommunikationsfähigkeiten

Schreiben in verschiedenen Stimmen und Tönen

Organisationsfähigkeiten

Interpersonelle Fähigkeiten

Digitale und IT-Kenntnisse

Enthusiasmus für Erbe und Kultur

Tools

Social Media Plattformen

Videoproduktion

Job description

We’re looking for a bright, proactive External Affairs & Communications Officer with a passion for the special places we represent, a keen eye for a good story, sharp attention to detail and creative flair. If you’re energised by the opportunity to shout about the amazing things going on at Historic Houses member places, we want to hear from you!

A genuine interest in heritage and culture is really important, as is your ability to craft a good story and create compelling content, whether that be in writing or on video.

Main responsibilities

• Being our main source of contact for all press enquiries; cultivating and maintaining relationships with journalists, editors, and media outlets.
• Sourcing, collating, and synthesising case studies and examples from our member places to write press releases and create appealing and managing distribution of Historic Houses’ press releases.
• Day-to-day co-ordination of Historic Houses’ annual awards programme including: Administration of the awards application process.
• Provision of administrative support for the judging process for all five awards including organising meetings, minute taking, and other administrative duties.
• Acting as liaison between staff, sponsors, applicants, and award winners.
• Supporting winners in generating press coverage.
• Creating compelling video, audio, and written collateral for Historic Houses (you’ll be working closely with our experienced filmmakers, videographers and editors), and our new campaign/community platform.
• Using this collateral to generate compelling content for Historic Houses’ social media channels.
• Working with the Director of Policy to produce compelling and politically sensitive op-eds, reports, research and briefings for external stakeholders.
• Working with the Director of Policy and the Director of Marketing & Development to communicate Historic Houses’ work and message to the wider public.
• Maintaining a birds-eye view of the activities and stories across our member properties and providing analysis of trends to other staff.
• Managing our new website and community forum, and supporting the parallel policy and public affairs campaign.
• Helping to incentivise sign-ups amongst Historic Houses members and external partners on the platform, and general monitoring of themes, trends and discussions.
• Contribute, as needed, in writing to newsletters, editorials, policy updates and magazine content.
• As a small team, we all work closely together across departments.
• Communicating regularly with colleagues, acquiring a basic understanding of their roles and of the overall operations and priorities of the association, and being able to pitch in at ‘all-staff’ events or on major projects, are also important, if occasional, elements of the role.

Essential skills and experience

• A track record of working in communications and/or in press-facing roles
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including a demonstrable ability to write in a variety of voices, tones and to suit a range of purposes and audiences.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, including a track record of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, with experience of managing external relationships and dealing with contacts at all levels.
• Ability to work as an integral member of a small, high-performing team, and to work collaboratively across the team as required.
• Reliability and flexibility – occasionally working to short deadlines.
• Strong all-round digital and IT skills, including an excellent knowledge of social media platforms and trends.
• A genuine, demonstrable enthusiasm for heritage and culture.

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience producing short-form video content and/or social media content.
• Demonstrable experience working with journalists; existing press relationships.

Application details

The closing date for applications is midday on Wednesday 4 June 2025. Interviews will take place in person, at Warwick House, on Tuesday 17 June 2025.

Please email your CV and a covering letter (outlining your suitability for the role with reference to the essential skills and experience specified above) to Sarah Roller, Director of Policy & Public Affairs via the button below.

Please include contact information for two referees and details of your notice period (where applicable). We look forward to receiving your application.