National Press Officer

We are looking for a National Press Officer to manage and develop PCS's media profile.

Salary and Location

• Band 4, London, Spine points 27-23
• Starting salary: £51,759 p.a. rising to £58,877 p.a. in annual increments
• PCS Clapham

Successful candidates for the post of National Press Officer will be able to demonstrate:

• Experience of working with the media as a press officer or journalist
• Planning successful strategic media campaigns
• Knowledge of how print, broadcast, social and digital media work, including editorial steer, deadlines and readership
• Articulate and persuasive writing skills suited to a variety of diverse audiences
• An understanding of the trade union movement

The main duties of the National Press Officer role include:

• Being first point of contact representing PCS in the media, through press releases, stories and quotes
• Planning and implementing campaigns and media strategies
• Supporting and developing PCS representatives to gain positive media coverage

The ability to organise your own work, identify and set priorities and work to tight deadlines are all essential requirements for a successful National Press Officer. As well as excellent communication skills, the National Press Officer will have an interest in and understanding of trade unions and the issues facing PCS's members.

Closing date: at 12 midday on Monday 3 November 2025

Interviews will be held by Zoom: Thursday 20 November 2025

About PCS

PCS is the Public and Commercial Services Union, representing many thousands of members working in the civil service and related areas.

Employer Benefits

You will have access to a generous package of staff benefits including

• flexible working (including hybrid working)
• childcare and family support
• generous maternity/paternity leave
• 32 days leave and Christmas closure
• pension scheme
• employee assistance programme

Learning and Development

The union offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities. We will work with you to support your continued professional development.

PCS Recruiting Process

We use CVMinder to manage all recruitment activities. It helps us to maintain our commitment to equality and diversity by ensuring that we are fair and compliant with our recruiting practices.

Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified.

Candidates invited for interview are required to make themselves available on the date/s specified. Interview dates cannot be changed to accommodate candidates who are unavailable to attend on the specified date.

• CVs will not be accepted. Please see the job description/person specification and follow the application process.
• PCS is working towards equal opportunities and is positive about disabled people.
• All posts can be considered on a full-time, part-time or job share basis.

Please view our guidance for applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION: NATIONAL PRESS OFFICER

Ref: 0725

Grade: Band 4, London

Salary:

London Spine points 27-23

London Starting salary £51,759 p.a. rising to £58,877 p.a.

Location: PCS Clapham

Purpose of the job:

To promote PCS in the media and maximise media coverage of PCS campaigns.

Responsible to: National Officer - National Bargaining & Policy Unit

Responsible for: n/a

Contacts

External:

Media, employers, other trade unions and related bodies, campaigning and community bodies, political parties and elected representatives.

Internal:

PCS lay reps and staff including other HQ Departments, Regional Offices and Senior Managers.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Representing PCS in the media

• Be first point of contact and respond promptly to enquiries from the press and media on PCS issues and stories, including the provision of out of hours cover
• Establish and develop good working contacts with the press and media
• Generate media and press interest in PCS and campaigns
• Draft press releases, quotes and articles/blogs
• Ensure all media opportunities, including television, radio, digital and social media are exploited effectively
• Monitor media coverage, producing relevant reports on the analytics

2. Campaigning, media strategies and implementation

• Help plan and implement campaign strategies, ensuring the most effective use of print, digital, social and broadcast media outlets
• Arrange press conferences and journalist briefings

3. Supporting and developing lay activists

• Support PCS representatives in producing local press releases
• Provide support, training and guidance to PCSs full-time officers in drafting press releases, liaising with the press and lay activists
• Assist in providing training for PCS staff and activists on all aspects of dealing with the media

4. Team Working

• Proactively promote team working
• Participate in team meetings as appropriate
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality of sensitive issues at all times
• Provide assistance to team members

5. General

• Participate and input information into PCS planning and budgeting processes
• At all times implement and promote the PCSs equal opportunities policy and adhere to the PCS Values
• Take due and reasonable care of self and others in respect of health and safety at work
• Participate in appraisal, training and development systems
• Act in a manner that enhances the work of the PCS and its overall public image
• In all work activities, comply with data protection legislation and PCSs requirements for the protection of personal information and the privacy of individuals
• Staff at this grade may be assigned or transferred to posts within grade. A training & development programme will be provided to assist with this, where required such other duties that may reasonably be required and that are within the level of the responsibility of this post
• Willing to work outside normal office hours and location on occasion (e.g. attendance at Annual Delegate Conference, where required)

Person Specification: NATIONAL PRESS OFFICER

Ref: 0725

Date: October 2025

Location: PCS Clapham

ESSENTIAL FACTORS

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of working with the media as a press officer or journalist
• Experience of planning strategic media campaigns
• Experience of preparing reports on media coverage analytics

TRAINING (including continuous professional development)

• Evidence of ongoing training and continuing professional development
• Commitment to participation in appraisal and development review process
• Commitment to undertake job-related training
• Commitment to staff development

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of how print, broadcast, social and digital media work, including editorial steer, deadlines and readership
• Excellent press and media contacts
• Impact and use of Digital and IT applications in a trade union
• Understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions

SKILLS

• Excellent writing skills and the ability to write good press releases and articles
• Good communication and persuasive skills, both oral and written, for a variety of audiences
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Use of social media as part of media relations
• Ability to deliver training for PCS staff and activists on all aspects of dealing with the media

OTHER

• Commitment to the application of Equal Opportunities policies and practices at work
• Understanding of own role in maintaining legal compliances within PCS (e.g. data protection; health and safety)
• Flexible approach to work and willing to work outside of normal office hours and location on occasions