Are you the kind of person who can’t get enough of news and politics? Were you glued to the coverage of the General Election, the presidential campaign in the US or the latest events online or in the news?

If so, a role in a busy government press office may be the job for you.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is looking for talented Press Officers to join its mission to support businesses to invest and grow in the UK, while enhancing workers’ rights and delivering for working people.

We cover a huge range of issues, both domestic and international facing, including promoting the UK’s trade deals with countries around the world, supporting entrepreneurs to start up and grow, as well as leading on high-profile reactive media issues such as the historic Post Office Horizon IT scandal.

The roles are challenging and wide-ranging, and no two days are the same. From crafting punchy press products, to supporting ministerial visits and interviews, or briefing journalists on breaking news stories as they happen, we really are at the centre of government.

You will be part of a busy and enthusiastic press office team who work closely with Special Advisers, Private Office and policy officials on reactive and proactive media.

Job description

As a member of DBT’s Press Office team, you will be working on communications plans to promote the UK as a great destination for investment, workers’ rights and trade deals, as well as responding reactively to thorny press queries from national newspapers.

You will have the chance to advise a new ministerial team on media appearances and will be required to spot opportunities for positive press features, and human-interest stories from across the UK to land positive stories in consumer media and regional titles, including in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland media.

This is a chance to join a department breaking new ground as it tackles issues and takes opportunities all around the world.

The successful candidates will be expected to:

• Be part of a team who plan and deliver communications that cut through both at home and abroad on Ministerial events such as domestic and overseas visits, speaking engagements and interview opportunities.
• Handle reactive enquiries and rebuttals effectively, including briefing senior political and economic journalists on the phone to shape tomorrow’s news.
• Craft first-class content for social media platforms for the Department’s ministers and corporate channels.
• Support on high-profile announcements and general work of Press Office – including participating in an out-of-hours duty rota, for which you will be paid overtime.
• Monitor and evaluate coverage to ensure objectives are being met and DBT's key messages are landing well with our key audiences.

Person specification

Skills and Experience

Essential criteria

• Proven news sense, excellent judgement, political nous and outstanding internal and external communication skills.
• Superb written English and experience of delivering high-class media products to short deadlines on modern media platforms from newspapers to Twitter (X).
• Experience of working in a fast-paced media team, with highly effective proactive and reactive media handling skills.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of delivering high-profile media moments in the UK or international markets.
• Experience of running social media channels for individuals or organisations.

Personal attributes & skills

• You will be creative and confident in sharing your ideas and creating engaging content for social media.
• You will be a team player who is keen to work with others to communicate the UK’s business agenda home and abroad.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Communication Framework Competency – Ideas (Core)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,858, Department for Business and Trade contributes £8,871 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
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.

Closing date: Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 1 September 2024.