Senior Media Officer

Job summary

This post is open to applicants who can meet the College’s nationality, UK residency and vetting requirements.

We’re the professional body for the police service in England and Wales. We work with everyone in policing to set standards, to share knowledge and good practice and to support the development of police officers and staff. Our mission is to drive a consistent approach across policing where the public and the service expect it, to boost professionalism and to improve leadership at every level.

Although we're a small organisation, our work has a big reach. We are uniquely placed to work both with national policing organisations and local forces to support frontline officers, staff and volunteers in their day-to-day roles.

We offer a supportive and inclusive environment for people to thrive. Our extensive flexible-working policy, employee wellbeing support, family friendly policies, employers’ network for equality and inclusion membership (ENEI silver award winners), and status as a disability confident leader means everyone can bring their whole self to work.

Vetting

The role requires vetting level NPPV 2 + CTC and you may need to complete further vetting forms if you do not already have this level.

Job description

Our communications team plays a central role in shaping how the College is understood by the public, the media, and the policing community. We're looking for an experienced media professional to join us as a Senior Press Officer and help tell our story. This is a high-profile press office role in a fast-moving environment. You'll be a key member of the Corporate Communications unit, taking a lead on both proactive and reactive press work. You'll build and maintain strong relationships with national and specialist media, including policing, criminal justice and broadcast journalists. You’ll act as a credible, authoritative voice on behalf of the College and you'll develop creative ideas to explain the College's work to the public, support colleagues ahead of media appearances, and help plan and deliver high-profile media events and opportunities.

Person specification

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Leading on proactive and reactive media relations, handling enquiries with speed, accuracy and sound judgement, including in high-pressure or crisis situations
• Developing and delivering creative media opportunities that explain the College's role and how our work helps prevent crime and keep the public safe
• Building and sustaining trusted working relationships with journalists and editors across national, specialist and trade media
• Briefing and preparing College spokespeople for media interviews, ensuring they reflect the College's mission and vision
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across communications, policy and research to develop joined-up, evidence-based media strategies

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• ​Proven track record in a busy press office or media relations role, with experience of both proactive and reactive work
• ​Experience of managing reputational risk and delivering communications in a crisis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing high-quality briefings, press releases and media pitches
• The ability to work collaboratively and influence others as well as engage credibly with senior stakeholders, journalists and external partners

Please see the attached job description which contains full details of the role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,520, College of Policing contributes £10,579 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

For more information about your benefits and staff networks, visit Guide to your employee benefits

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Vacancy reference: 7115

Anticipated interview dates: Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th, Thursday 28th May

Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the recruitment process, will be given priority over other applicants.

Applications for this role are restricted to existing College of Policing employees only. Any ineligible applications will be withdrawn before shortlisting.

How to apply and contact information:

If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Jason Lavan, Head of Media and External Affairs Jason.lavan@college.police.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Jason Lavan
• Email : Jason.lavan@college.police.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@college.police.uk