stedavies.com - communications consultant

A favour for a mate.

Job Description: Social networking site Friends Reunited requires a maternity-cover Press Officer for its in-house PR function.

Candidates should have around 3 years of experience working in the PR industry. Ideally this will include some in-house experience although this is not essential. The role will include working most closely with the marketing function and PR agency and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the press office.

Overall Purpose of Role: how the role adds value to the business

• Strong contribution to key business objectives through consumer, corporate and business-to-business PR campaigns
• Responsible for efficiently run PR press office, fielding and responding to an increasing number of consumer, corporate and crisis media inquiries plus placement of pro-active publicity

Core Responsibilities: key regular activities of the job

Consumer PR
Use your understanding and experience in consumer PR to plan and implement impactful PR campaigns as part of an integrated marketing approach

Corporate PR
Working with ITV Press, use your corporate PR experience to help build the brand’s profile in corporate and business-to-business media

Strategic thinking
Lead Friends Reunited PR strategy from formulation through to execution aligning it with key business objectives

Press Office Experience
Utilise broad knowledge of the media and their requirements to ensure smooth day-to-day running of the press office, fielding consumer, corporate and crisis calls from the media

Creativity and Publicity Skills
Combine creativity with knowledge of the media and your media contacts to recognise media angles and generate positive news coverage, profile pieces and features across a broad media spectrum

Management Skills
Effectively manage people in the organisation to hit and exceed targets

Excellent writing skills
Assist in the reporting, analysis and evaluation of PR campaigns

Experience, Qualifications and Personal Characteristics required:

The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, motivated and a self-starter. They will need to take ownership of the press office functions including:

• At least 3 years PR agency or in-house press office experience
• Record of high academic achievement with good degree and A level results
• Core consumer brand PR background with some knowledge of corporate PR and crisis management
• Experience of running a reactive and pro-active press office and handling incoming press enquiries
• Excellent publicity skills – a strong understanding of the media, editorial requirements and what ‘makes’ a story
• Ability to demonstrate creativity and innovative thinking
• A wide network of national consumer and business as well as regional contacts across a broad spectrum of media
• Experience in delivering impactful PR campaigns from inception through to delivery
• Maintaining the case study database and liaising directly with potential case studies
• Ability to build relationships internally and externally, interfacing at all levels
• Superior people and communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Team player who works well under pressure
• Thrives in an environment of change and ambiguity
• Working with the marketing function to support their activity

The role will be in-house at the main Friends Reunited office in Oxted, 30 minutes outside London Bridge. It will run from November 2008 for a period of between two and six months, based on a three- to four-day working week.

Applicants should contact Sophy Silver via sophy[dot]silver[at]itv[dot]com (making the necessary alterations)