JOB TITLE: Press Officer (Part-time, 12 month fixed term contract)

REPORTS TO: Head of Fundraising

DEPARTMENT:Marcomms

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JOB LEVEL: tbc

Job purpose
To support Variety’s fundraising objectives by preparing, distributing and following-up press releases. Liaising with media contacts and monitoring media coverage of Variety and the charity’s corporate supporters.
To ensure that Variety is represented across all channels, platforms and formats to drive awareness and reputation, customer engagement, acquisition, retention and income.
To ensure consistency of all Variety’s communications in terms of appropriate messaging, tone of voice and portrayal of supporters and beneficiaries.
Principal Responsibilities
  • Work with the fundraising team to ensure that media opportunities to show how corporate supporters are helping Variety to improve the lives of beneficiaries are released to media; eg school visits aligned to coach sponsorship.
  • Work with the fundraising team to identify and develop topical and relevant content for pitches and cases for support
  • Connect with all Variety teams; especially the Marcomms team to deliver a joined-up marketing and communications plan.
  • Manage content for annual report and impact statement
  • Act as gatekeeper for Variety’s agreed facts and stats
  • Ensure all content and communications reflect brand values and standards
  • Seek out stories relevant to Variety beneficiaries and supporters
  • Build relationships with key influencers and journalists
  • Create PR content: fact sheets, media pitches, press releases
  • Monitor, analyse and communicate PR results on a regular basis
  • Work with Variety’s communications agencies
  • Monitor industry trends and make appropriate recommendations regarding communication strategy
  • Research audience preferences and establish key trends

Education or Qualifications required
Degree (preferably in Journalism, Media relations, PR, Marketing or a related discipline) or equivalent level of practical experience.
Skills and experience required
  • Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role
  • Exceptional copywriting and editing skills
  • Exceptional story collection and telling ability
  • Extensive knowledge of media (all platforms)
  • Proven track record of successful media placements
  • Hands on experience of managing external PR agencies and journalists
  • Extensive portfolio of both digital and traditional PR work delivering tangible results
  • Experience working with senior and executive leadership
  • Strategic and independent thinker and planner
  • Detail-oriented and highly organized with the ability to multi-task
  • Excellent interpersonal skills

General
  1. Variety operates within a constantly changing environment and as such work priorities and targets may change. Management reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the job purpose and accountabilities
  2. Such other duties that occasionally arise, which fall within the purpose of the post
  3. Promote Equality and Diversity strategy linking with equality and diversity frameworks to ensure promotion of best practice and to inform and develop appropriate action plans
  4. To work cross functionally with other departments,regions and countries to ensure plans are delivered
  5. To be familiar and comply with Health & Safety procedures and policy. To take immediate action to reduce the risk and assume the appropriate responsibilities outlined in the Critical Incident Procedure
  6. To achieve the highest standards of safeguarding for the children and young peoplewho come into contact with Variety by complying with all appropriate Policies and Procedures
Key contacts
Internal CEO
HoDs
Marcomms team members
CB
Chair of Marcomms Committee
Chair of Celebrity Committee
Regional Directors
External PR agency employed by Variety
Key media contacts (changes according strategic requirements
Celebrity Ambassadors