Maternity cover until the end of April 2015 with possibility of extension.

The Centre for Cities is an independent, non-partisan research and policy institute. 

The successful applicant will offer strategic advice on press management to the Centre for Cities team. This will involve leading on the press strategy for reports and campaigns, the development of media messaging and press releases in support of research, bringing senior and junior colleagues on board with your recommendations and cultivating existing and target press contacts.

This post will suit a highly motivated, organised person with at least 18 months of media experience in a busy press office. The successful applicant will be a self-starter, able to demonstrate a track record of delivering quality press coverage in a relevant policy area.

Job Duties

• Be the day to day media lead for Centre for Cities, providing advice to both senior and junior colleagues on the best way to achieve coverage for the think tank.
• Develop and manage media dissemination for the Centre for Cities’ research programme.
• Draft press materials to support the publication of our reports and campaigns, including press releases, frequently asked questions and key messages.
• Maintain and cultivate strong relationships with journalists on behalf of the Centre.

Personal Specification

Essential Skills:

• 18 months of media experience in a busy press office.
• Experience of advising senior colleagues on press and campaigns strategies.
• Strong team working skills and the ability to bring colleagues on board with a vision for a press campaign are essential in this role.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering press and other campaigns in a relevant policy area. The successful candidate will need to be able to show that they can make complex policy recommendations relevant and newsworthy.
• The successful candidate will need to demonstrate self-sufficiency and the ability to take the lead on project managing press and external affairs strategies.
• A proven ability to build and maintain a strong network of media contacts is required.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good knowledge of IT, including Microsoft Office Products.
• Educated to degree level of equivalent.