Senior Press Officer (FTC)

This is an exciting opportunity to join our award-winning Digital, Marketing and Communications directorate, working within the Press team to deliver positive media coverage for Sport England, protect and enhance our reputation and increase the understanding of our mission and impact.

At Sport England, the arms-length body responsible for growing and developing grassroots sport and getting more people active across England, we know that right now, the opportunities to get involved in sport and activity depend too much on your background, your gender, your bank balance and your postcode. Sport England are determined to tackle this and unlock the advantages of sport and physical activity for everyone.

In this role you will provide an effective reactive press office service, responding to media enquiries and proactively spotting opportunities to raise our profile. You will take a personal and professional interest in following the news agenda across a range of subjects, as well as utilising you experience in drafting high-quality written communications and creating and pitching stories that cut through in media.

This is a fixed-term role lasting 9-months, ideally starting on 1st June 2023. Secondments welcome.

Role Purpose

Sitting within the Digital, Marketing and Communications directorate, you will work effectively with a range of internal colleagues, as well as connecting with those working across regional and national media.

This role will help to manage and develop Sport England's proactive and reactive press work, contributing to maintaining the organisation’s status as a expert in the sector.

Sport England recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly where we are under-represented. Currently, this includes disabled people and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Previous experience of working in a press and public relations role or as a journalist.

• A proven ability to interpret and present information and identify opportunities and news angles that secure high volumes of positive media coverage.

• Excellent written communication skills with extensive experience writing quality articles for publication, press releases, and briefings.

• Experience ‘selling in’ ideas and stories to journalists over the phone and setting up media interviews.

• The ability to develop and implement clear and robust media plans.

• The ability to manage own time and prioritise tasks effectively.

• The ability to work effectively with external partners to deliver organisational goals.

• Experience of relevant media databases and creating accurate, targeted media contact lists.

• Experience of handling media enquiries calmly during crisis situations.

• Previous experience of collating and evaluating media coverage.

Desirable

• Previous experience of working with multiple partners and stakeholders.