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Senior Press OfficerSomerset House
9 days ago
  • LevelSenior
  • ProfessionsEditorial Director, Public Relations Manager, Communications Manager
  • TypeFull Time
  • LocationLondon, United Kingdom

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Description

Closing Date: 25-Nov-2024

This Senior Press Officer will play a pivotal role in our small and dynamic PR Team, responsible for devising and implementing proactive PR campaigns across Somerset House Trust exhibitions, events and other activity.  The Senior Press Officer will take a strategic audience-led approach to ensure maximum quality coverage in a range of target media, including print, online, broadcast and social media platforms, and instil awareness of both the particular campaign and Somerset House’s brand mission and vision. The role involves working closely with internal departments and external partners.  The Senior Press Officer will be joining at a critical time for Somerset House as it celebrates 25 years in 2025 and marks its coming of age as the home of cultural innovators, a milestone accompanied by a new visual identity and new website.
The Somerset House PR department is a part of the wider Marketing and Communications team, which leads audience-led campaigns for a diverse range of cultural programming which engages audiences in key contemporary issues, challenges conventions and offer alternative perspectives. The team also helps promote Somerset House as the home of cultural innovators, including Somerset House Studios, our other creative workspaces, and revenue streams such as venue hire, food and beverage. Guided by a data-led approach and in close coordination with our other in-house teams and valued partners, we craft and execute multi-channel strategies aimed at elevating brand awareness, enhancing ticket sales and visits, encouraging creative professionals and organisations to join our resident community and fostering engagement both online and offline. Comprising a team of passionate and dedicated professionals, we uphold strong values and possess a clear vision for the future of Somerset House and our ongoing ambition to intensify creativity, multiply opportunity & drive artistic and social innovation.
What we are looking for:
Campaign Delivery
  • Develop and execute audience-led strategic PR campaigns that connect and resonate with target audience segments, leveraging data insights to tailor messaging and maximise engagement across media channels.
  • Shaping key campaign timelines and messages, which concurrently aligns with and increases the awareness of the overall Somerset House brand
  • Collaborating with marketing, ticketing and social media colleagues to ensure PR campaigns integrate with marketing and social media campaigns for fully cohesive, impactful and consumer-first communications
  • Researching, updating and building target media lists, pitching as appropriate a range of listings, previews, feature and social media content ideas, securing coverage in line with Trust and talent requirements
  • Researching, building and updating target influencer networks, creating opportunities for content creation which support PR objectives
  • Writing engaging copy for press releases and media alerts, the basis of which can be used as content by media and influencers
  • Sourcing eye-catching images to be used across media, negotiating all copyright clearances as relevant
  • Briefing talent for interviews and attending interviews where possible to make sure both media and talent are happy with the results
  • Conceiving and organising photo calls
  • Staging press previews and influencer events, securing the attendance of key critics, reviewers and influencers
  • Managing PR aspects for major events and exhibitions openings, including devising bespoke, targeted lists of VIP invitees, which reflect the breadth of Somerset House’s cultural programme and community, and will generate press and/or social media coverage, plus handling arrivals, red carpets, photographers and pre and post event pitching, in collaboration with any VIP consultants, partners, artists and curators
  • Capitalise opportunities for press exposure with related events and activities
  • Working with external PRs and partners as necessary
  • Managing PR consultants employed by the Trust
  • Hosting PR & Marketing breakfasts for select organisations and agencies to foster good relations with the industry and create good word of mouth for events and exhibitions
  • Handling day-to-day enquiries for information
  • Setting appropriate budgets for the allocated campaigns and ensuring costs are kept within budget
  • Co-ordinating media announcements with all relevant departments
  • Regular reporting to senior management, Trust departments, external partners and  talent, and creating evaluation reports to measure effectiveness of campaigns
Strategy
  • Creative thinking on all campaigns, but especially refreshing the stories on annual campaigns
  • Input into overarching PR strategy and implementation for Somerset House Trust
Management & Leadership
  • Suggesting new and creative ways for the PR department to work most effectively and efficiently
  • Playinga crucial role in fostering a positive and inclusive work environment by leading from the front. As a line manager, you will be responsible for providing guidance and support to our Press Officer, empowering them to excel in their day to day campaign work.
Networking & Partnership Development
  • Build and manage strategic influencer campaigns, identifying and partnering with key influencers (that resonate with target audiences), to amplify campaign and brand messaging, drive engagement and expand audience reach across social platforms.
  • Generating/developing/maintaining effective relationships with key media and influencers through meetings and networking events
  • Increasing Somerset House’s presence in the international media
  • Proactively seeking and developing beneficial partnerships for creative, cross-promotional purposes that align with Somerset House’s brand mission and vision
  • Represent Somerset House Trust at events and on various external bodies as appropriate
Administrative Management
  • Managing own and team’s administrative tasks as and when required
Skills, knowledge & expertise required for the role:
  • Proven experience of working in a busy press office/agency or within the media
  • Strong evidence of single-handedly devising and implementing successful PR campaigns and juggling several campaigns at once, which target the relevant audiences and explore opportunities to reach new audiences
  • Tested track record of managing PR consultants or agencies
  • Demonstrable collaboration with a range of partners, ensuring the appropriate balance is found between mutual PR goals
  • Excellent knowledge of the general media and social media landscape and an avid interest in consuming news and trends
  • Excellent knowledge and interest in the arts/cultural/entertainment sector
  • Experience of managing budgets Knowledge and understanding of social media and marketing
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
  • Excellent organisational skills, with scrupulous attention to detail Strong ability to prioritise and be flexible with workloads
  • Keen ability to work both using own initiative and as a team player
  • Willingness and motivation to complete tasks to best of ability, no matter how big or small

Skills Required

  • Public Relations
  • Campaigns
  • Communication Skills

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