National Communications Officer

Job Title: Communications Officer

Responsible to: Broadcast Manager

Hours: Full Time

Tenure: Permanent

Salary: £30,000

Location: Westminster, London

Closing Date: Sunday 8th February, 23.59pm

Job Specification

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Liberal Democrat media team, supporting the party’s record 72 Liberal Democrat MPs. 

The Communications Officer will be integral to supporting the party’s spokespeople and peers in securing positive coverage promoting Liberal Democrat priorities and campaigns in the national media, using the tools at their disposal to generate impactful stories and narratives.

The candidate will be an enthusiastic, ambitious, and highly organised individual seeking the opportunity to shape mainstream politics and work in an exciting, fast-paced communications environment. 

You will be a multi-skilled communicator, equally comfortable pitching a story to a national newspaper, briefing spokespeople for a live television appearance or drafting a script for a social media video. 

You will be a self-starter with a strong interest in news and current affairs, motivated to build and pitch news stories, and able to build effective relationships with journalists and colleagues.

The ideal candidate will sympathise with the aims and values of the Liberal Democrats. You will preferably have a good understanding of UK politics, the opportunities and challenges facing the Liberal Democrats, and how the party can leverage its larger presence in Parliament to secure more positive media coverage across print, broadcast, and digital channels.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate and pitch stories to secure positive media coverage promoting the party’s work in Parliament and national campaign priorities across print, online, and broadcast outlets.
• Work with and build strong relationships with national broadcasters; brief spokespeople for national media appearances such as Question Time, evening news bulletins, and radio packages.
• Work closely with the digital team to ensure media outputs are aligned across social channels and generate creative ideas to translate our stories and campaigns into engaging digital content.
• Support spokespeople and their offices, as well as peers, in using Parliament to generate media coverage, and work with policy colleagues to develop lines to take.
• Spot opportunities by planning ahead and regularly updating the communications grid; plan visits and visuals for the Leader and senior spokespeople.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of journalists across print, broadcast, and online platforms.
• Participate in the media team’s out-of-hours duty system, ensuring the party is equipped to respond to the 24-hour news cycle.
• Undertake other ad hoc duties as required to contribute to the team’s goals and responsibilities.

Applications

Please send a full CV (of no more than two A4 pages and including an email address and telephone number) along with a covering letter (of no more than one A4 page) setting out why you want to do this job and how your experiences and skills are relevant to it.

Applications from a wide range of backgrounds are encouraged. 

To be considered for this position, please submit your application to recruitment@libdems.org.uk

Please note: We will not be able to employ you if you are not eligible to work in the UK. We will not be able to obtain a work permit on your behalf.

The Liberal Democrats are equal opportunity employers and particularly welcome applications from groups who are currently under-represented in our staff.