This role is responsible for managing all aspects of publicity for award-winning news programme, Channel 4 News, and associated digital platforms.

Responsibilities:

• Promote the distinctiveness of all areas of Channel 4 News to reflect its unique remit and key messages (reviewed annually by Channel 4 News management, ITN Director of Communications and C4) and encourage media commentators to write positively about the role of its programmes in the news landscape
• Liaison with the news team to identify and promote potential stories and reports that speak to the programmes’ and channel’s key messages / audiences
• Ensure programme exclusives/coverage from the programmes are given the greatest opportunity for wider media coverage
• Work closely with ITN/Channel 4 communications, public affairs and marketing teams to identify priority campaigns and agree publicity strategies and messaging
• Work to promote content across all platforms – television, online and live events
• Write and distribute press releases and other press materials as appropriate
• Building and maintaining the public profiles of individual presenters, correspondents and reporters (profiles, by-lines & other) and key editorial staff
• Ability to analyse media coverage in the context of key messages across platforms
• Play an active role in the promotion of the ITN brand, alongside that of the C4 news brand as appropriate
• Manage reactive press enquiries relating to C4 News; reporting to the Director of Communications; anticipate and manage issues of press controversy – working with the C4 Media Relations team and key stakeholders as appropriate
• Building and maintaining contacts with journalists
• Coordinate awards entries in liaison with the editorial team
• Keep C4 News management informed of key industry news and information
• Keep C4 Press Office regularly updated on activity and campaign achievements
• Collaborate with the ITN internal communications team to ensure C4N output and talent are promoted on internal newsletters, at townhalls and other events

Qualifications:

• Experience and confidence to support a bold editorial strategy to push boundaries and to innovate
• A keen understanding of the unique role Channel 4 News plays in the news ecology as an independent, impartial news provider with a remit to appeal to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society
• Passion and imagination to champion agenda-setting original journalism and world-class investigations in powerful ways
• Skills to enhance a communications strategy that also supports sub-brands including weekly news show Uncovered on Facebook Watch, and podcast series’ Ways to Change the Word and Fourcast, while also maintaining C4N’s digital presence as the most watched news programme on social media in the UK
• Ability to act autonomously in dealing with press enquiries – liaising with the channel when necessary
• Ability to prioritise workload to maximum effect
• Interpersonal and collaborative skills to liaise effectively with a large editorial team based around the UK and overseas, as well as across ITN and Channel 4
• Judgement of potential press opportunities and pitfalls, demonstrating experience of successful crisis management
• Ability to think strategically about brand-building of the programme and individual presenters and reporters
• Show a good understanding of the rapidly changing news and media landscape and key competitors as well as the role of Ofcom regulation and ITN compliance
• Evidence of having a good understanding of government media policy and the current Channel 4 privatisation discussions in order to contribute to ITN’s public affairs strategy
• Editorial and writing skills necessary to compile press releases, programme information, social media and internal communications material
• Authority to brief and oversee individual presenters’ and reporters’ dealings with the press via interviews, columns and panels and ensure they fit with the agreed strategy and messaging
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• The willingness and flexibility to work some antisocial hours as workload and priorities dictate

Our people are at the heart of everything we do at ITN. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. Reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process will be offered, if required, due to a disability or health condition. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please just let us know in your application, or at any stage throughout the process, if this is something you want to explore.

We are continuing to review our future ways of working, and the return to our offices in the coming months will be gradual and considered, with the wellbeing of teams our primary focus.