Closing date - 17 July 2022

Interviews - 28 July 2022

Press Officer job pack - download here 

This is a unique opportunity to be part of the communications team to deliver and launch a new arts venue for Manchester – The Factory.

To work flexibly as part of the Press & Communications team on a range of press activity for MIF & The Factory, which reflects the vision, ambition and activities of the organisation and delivers positive press coverage regionally, nationally and internationally

To support the delivery of a phased communications strategy for The Factory/MIF spanning pre-opening, opening, and post-opening to enhance the organisation’s reputation and profile, and support audience development objectives

Press Officer Responsibilities

• Work closely with the press team and PR consultants to deliver innovative press campaigns to communicate the aims and activities of MIF/The Factory to the media including print, broadcast, online and social media
• Contribute to strategies for communication of MIF/The Factory’s key messages across all channels
• Work closely with colleagues across the organisation to identify and shape stories about MIF/The Factory and its work including Skills & Training, Creative Engagement activity, International and Development
• Write and prepare clear and effective PR materials including press releases, briefing documents, statements and responses to media enquiries
• Contribute to internal communications as required including the development and distribution of the weekly internal NOTICEBOARD newsletter
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key press and media contacts and in key specialisms as appropriate and take responsibility for maintaining accurate media contacts and mailing lists
• Successfully help organise and run media and PR events and activities including press launches, interviews and photo-calls, and on-the ground co-ordination of broadcast press activity
• Maintain ticket requests and manage press desks as required
• Monitor MIF/The Factory’s presence in the media, and relevant sector-wide news and developments, including circulating clippings and preparing media reports for the organisation and relevant external contacts. Act as liaison with media monitoring agency (Cision)
• Maintain the organisation’s media library and ensure distribution to appropriate press contacts
• Book and manage press photography and shoots as required
• With press colleagues, oversee the development of the organisation’s press database (Spektrix) and its segmentation systems
• Work with press colleagues to maintain and manage the issuing of press tickets, image requests and enquiries into press@mif.co.uk
• Support the communications team in monitoring MIF/The Factory’s digital channels, and the development of appropriate social media content, taking shared responsibility for the organisation’s social channels as required
• Provide admin support for the press team to include invoicing, maintenance of department filing system, travel, hospitality booking etc

Press Officer Person Spec

Essential

• Experience of working in a busy press office, across print, broadcast and online, ideally with a focus on arts and culture

• Experience of writing press releases, statements and briefing papers

• Good knowledge of local and regional media landscape

• Comfortable with the media on telephone and in person, and communicating with a range of internal and external contacts and organisations

• Experience of media monitoring, using cuttings agencies etc

• Experience of events

• Commitment to championing representation and inclusion at every level of the organisation with a proven ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds

Desirable

• Creative and resourceful, with an ability to think beyond the obvious

• Organised, self-motivated and able to work across a range of events simultaneously, managing multiple priorities and deadlines

• A broad interest in arts and culture

• Good arts and culture contacts

• Experience of working with freelancers and agencies

• Experience of working with artists and creatives

• Enthusiasm for training, mentoring and support of emerging talent