Full job descriptionJoin us at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) as a Press Officer. The Press Officer role at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is a key position in the communications and media team, in the Customer Engagement directorate. This role works closely with colleagues across the organisation to deliver excellent and impactful press activity across a range of priorities, and to consumer and stakeholder audiences.
We’re looking for a proactive, organised and confident communicator, with strong news judgement, excellent writing skills and the ability to turn complex financial topics into clear, engaging stories.
You will be a brand ambassador for MaPS and for MoneyHelper, our impartial and government-backed consumer-facing service.
Key Responsibilities:
Programme Test Ownership
*Manage core press office processes, including the news inbox, media enquiries, media monitoring, briefing materials and media lists.
*Draft press notices and media pitches to promote MoneyHelper tools and services.
*Keep an up-to-date list of MaPS spokespeople and support them for media engagements, providing clear briefings and in-person assistance where needed.
*Build and manage relationships with journalists, commentators and outlets, across a range of consumer and trade media (digital, broadcast and written).
*Monitor the news agenda to identify opportunities or risks for MaPS, MoneyHelper and wider financial wellbeing issues, briefing colleagues accordingly.
*Collaborate with colleagues, including those in operational, policy, marketing, and social media teams, to deliver joined up external communications activity in support of business priorities.
*Any other duties as reasonably required. There is an expectation of flexibility for this role, and time may be deployed to support areas of communications outside of the press office when necessary.
Essential Skills and Experience:
Essential
*Experience in a communications, media relations or press office role (ideally 2+ years).
*Experience helping to generate positive media coverage, including drafting press materials, pitching stories and responding to journalist enquiries.
*Experience preparing briefing materials and supporting spokespeople ahead of media opportunities.
*Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with journalists, colleagues and external stakeholders.
*Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with excellent attention to detail.
*Good awareness of a range of media channels, including national, regional, broadcast, consumer and digital outlets.
*Excellent news judgement and an understanding of reputation risks when communicating on behalf of an organisation subject to public scrutiny.
*Ability to work effectively as part of a team, contributing ideas and supporting continuous improvement.
*A strong interest in MaPS and improving financial wellbeing.
Desirable
*Experience working in a media agency, or a consumer- or service user-facing organisation.
*Experience working in or with Government, a regulator, an arm’s-length body or a public agency.
*Experience supporting the delivery of communications plans across media, digital and stakeholder channels.
*Experience creating or scheduling social media content.