Media Communications Officer
Salary: £23,000 - £28,000
Location: London
The Sport and Recreation Alliance believes that that the power of sport and recreation can change lives and bring communities together. With our members and in partnership with the wider sector, we make the most of opportunities and tackle the areas that provide a challenge. We provide advice, support and guidance to our members and the sector, who represent traditional governing bodies of games and sport, county sports partnerships, outdoor recreation, water pursuits, and movement and dance for exercise. As the voice of the sector, we work with Government, policy makers and the media to make sure grassroots sport and recreation grows and thrives. Having an active nation is important as it delivers huge benefits to society and the millions of participants, volunteers, staff and spectators.
Role Summary
The Media Communications Officer is a member of the Marketing, Communications and Member Engagement (MCME) Team. Working within a highly focused team, the successful candidate will play a key role in making sure the Alliance’s communications are both influential and informative for our full range of stakeholders including national governing bodies of sport, sports clubs, journalists, politicians and civil servants.
This a busy role with some real responsibility so it represents a really good chance to learn and make your mark. The environment is very positive and fun as you would expect in a sporting organisation – but we work hard.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
- To help maintain and build the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s reputation as the independent voice for sport and recreation via traditional and online media and our own channels
- Supporting our policy and governance teams with all of their communications requirements, including proactive and reactive media work, development of blogs and articles and member communications
- Devising and delivering media relations plans to support our strategic and operational objectives
- Responsibility for securing strong, positive and proactive media coverage around the Alliance’s campaigns, events and services
- Manage and drive forward our Member Reference Panel – a group of members who play an important role in informing how we support our membership and the wider sector
- Working with the Communications and Engagement Manager to develop and maintain good personal relationships with journalists
- Manage and continually update our bank of key messages and statements across our key policy areas
- Measure media coverage and make sure it is on target to meet our objectives
- To undertake any other duties as reasonably required
Person Specification
Essential skills, knowledge and experience
- Experience of working in a press office, PR, communications or journalism
- An understanding of the UK’s sport/physical activity policy environment
- An understanding and working knowledge of the UK media
- Strong, lively writing skills with an excellent command of grammar and English and ability to adapt writing for different audiences
- Strong sub-editor with ability to distil and communicate complex subject matter clearly
- An understanding of what it takes to promote, protect and sustain a good reputation
- An understanding of different communications channels and how to use each most effectively
- Knowledge and experience of working with MS Outlook, Word and Excel
- Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a highly motivated team
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workloads and manage time efficiently
Desirable Attributes
- Experience of working in a sports and/or political environment
- Experience of working in a membership organisation
Media Communications Officer - Job Description
How to apply
Please complete an Application Form and enclose a copy of your CV and return to recruitment@sportandrecreation.org.uk. Alternatively, telephone 020 7976 3920 for full details or email recruitment@sportandrecreation.org.uk. An application form must be completed.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact awilkinson@sportandrecreation.org.uk who will organise a discussion with the relevant member of staff.
The closing date for applications is 11:59 on Wednesday 21 March.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 4 April and candidates are expected to make themselves available.
The Sport and Recreation Alliance is committed to equal opportunities for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnerships. The Sport and Recreation Alliance is keen to further increase the diversity of its workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
We appreciate the range of skills and experience our staff have to offer. In return for your enthusiasm and commitment, we commit to actively developing and supporting you. We also offer a very generous range of benefits including: pension, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme, childcare voucher scheme, gym contributions, private healthcare, volunteering days plus generous holiday entitlement.
