Our aim is for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.

The Church of England’s news team provides a service to journalists and the National Church Institutions, aiming to share the story of the Church’s work and mission across the country and facilitate truthful, open, accurate and informed coverage of the life of the Church in the media.

This is your chance to be part of a dynamic team, supporting the Church of England's mission while developing your skills in a key role within our national communications team; providing high quality organisational and administrative support to deliver the objectives of the Church of England’s News Team serving a wide variety of stakeholders.

The working hours for this post are 35 per week and we offer a hybrid and flexible approach to working arrangements. Further details will be discussed at interview.

To arrange an informal conversation about the post, please contact nick.edmonds@churchofengland.org (Acting Head of News).

The closing date for applications is 8 October 2023 (midnight).

Interviews will be held W/C 18 October 2023.

The Church of England is for everyone, and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minority Ethnic Backgrounds and disabled people.

We offer a unique environment with opportunities for continuous learning, generous annual leave for work life balance, season ticket loans and a range of benefits including discounted entry to attractions and what we feel is a market leading package when it comes to our pension scheme.

The Role

• Acting as a first point of contact for media enquiries to the Church of England, triaging requests from regional, national and international media and working with members of the News Team to ensure a timely response.
• Monitoring of the shared inbox and incoming calls and assisting in day-to-day news team support, including with occasional out-of-hours duties.
• Publishing press releases and helping to maintain the Media Centre section of the Church of England website.
• Managing and updating media contacts lists.
• Managing out-of-hours media call logistics.
• Maintaining key platforms, including news planning, monitoring, mailing and contact platforms.
• Managing day-to-day relationships with platform account managers, including news monitoring, journalist database and licensing services.
• Planning media conferences (hybrid and in-person), sending invitations to spokespeople and media, and handling media accreditation.
• Assisting with media support for General Synod both in York (Residential - July) and London (Feb/Nov) including leading on media accreditation and preparation of media passes.
• Managing logistics for occasional other conferences, training and events.
• Occasional minute and notetaking from meetings.
• Monitoring coverage of stories, transcribing interviews, and sharing coverage with key stakeholders, supporting an effective response to emerging issues.
• Assisting production of the Daily Media Digest and compiling content.
• Assisting with the production of one-off press and broadcast coverage reports and summaries.
• Supporting the production of content for channels including the Church of England website and social media channels in liaison with the Church of England Digital Team.
• Assisting with research for press releases and media briefings.
• Supporting the development of relationships with journalists and the national network of Diocesan Communications Officers.
• Supporting communications for projects within the national church, supporting a range of internal (NCI) and wider Church of England stakeholders.
• Carrying out any other duties as reasonably required.

The Requirements

Essential

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Solid proficiency in Office 365, particularly Outlook.
• Exemplary project management capabilities, with a proven ability in stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to communicate clearly, particularly in an appropriate manner with the press, both orally and in writing.
• Proficient task prioritisation and adept management of diverse responsibilities and deadlines.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience of dealing with a wide range of people in the course of work, including at senior level.
• Familiarity with various digital media tools, encompassing file transfer portals, email software, rudimentary online graphic design or image editing tools (e.g., Canva), or a willingness to undergo training.
• Proficiency in content management website systems, including the uploading and editing of content and assets, or a readiness to partake in training.

Personal Attributes:

• Effective and tactful, with strong interpersonal skills.
• Exemplary collaborative aptitude, even in a fast-paced environment.
• Confident in providing and receiving constructive feedback and able to raise issues and concerns.
• Positive team-oriented mindset, proactively engaging in problem-solving and willingness to take on responsibility for tasks.

Education:

• Applicants should possess an educational background that demonstrates a level of academic achievement suitable for the effective execution of the role responsibilities.

Desirable

• Basic understanding of media relations and experience in drafting press materials is advantageous.
• Some familiarity with professional application of social media platforms.
• Awareness of and interest in national and international politics and societal issues.
• An understanding of the work of the Church of England.
• Education to degree level, or equivalent professional experience.

In the National Church Institutions (NCIs), we support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. We work with parishes, dioceses, schools, chaplaincies and other ministries, and with national and international partners including mission agencies, and other denominations and faith groups.-.

Find out more about working for the National Church Institutions by visiting Careers | The Church of England

NCI values

• We strive for excellence
• We collaborate
• We act with integrity
• We show compassion
• We respect others

We welcome everyone and we accept and value people for who they are and what they contribute, treating others in the way we would wish to be treated ourselves. We actively listen to and include others, encouraging and enabling everyone’s voice to be heard in discussions and decisions. When we disagree, we aim to disagree well with respect and kindness.

We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you. If there is anything we can do to support you in your application please get in touch via email to hr.recruitment@churchofengland.org.

• As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.
• We are a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.