Senior Press Officer

The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), a registered charity, is an international forum where science meets business. Established in 1881 SCI s main charitable objective is to accelerate science out of the laboratory to address the key societal challenges facing society today. SCI does this by facilitating open innovation, identifying and promoting emerging technologies in the areas of climate and planet and health and wellness, and by providing support for the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Core to delivery of the Society s mission is a growing portfolio of research journals that publish applied research across a broad range of sciences: from Agriculture to Energy and Material Science to Biotechnology.

The Role:

SCI is looking for a highly motivated and experienced Senior Press Officer to lead on its external and social media engagement strategy.

You will lead SCI s engagement with media outlets including national papers, trade publications and broadcast to increase our public profile, promote our work and build support for our campaign to accelerate the commercialisation of the UK s science base.

You will manage SCI s press office on a day-to-day basis scanning the media and political landscape to find opportunities for SCI to leverage its unique expertise and perspective as an organisation at the intersection of science and business. Part of the role will include public affairs (20%) where you will also support SCI s Head of External Affairs with political engagement as required coordinating and facilitating SCI s engagement with key politicians and political contacts.

This role is suited to someone with at least 3 years of professional experience in communications, with an excellent news sense and a solid contact book of journalist contacts.

Responsibilities:

• Closely monitor the news agenda, seeking out opportunities for SCI to comment on fast-moving events and raise the profile of our policy positions and significant research into the potential of the UK s science base.

• Develop and build national, trade and regional media contacts, hosting journalists at SCI offices in Belgravia.

• Establish KPIs for SCI s media engagement and monitor and demonstrate progress in meeting them.

• Work with the Social Media team to develop and draft content related to our policy priorities for our social media channels.

• Support the wider team on other ad hoc tasks such as political monitoring and public affairs support.

Knowledge, skills and experience required for this position

• A demonstrable passion for and understanding of science, its purpose for the economy and society, and communicating that to public and political audiences.

• Minimum of 3-5 years in a press office or media-related environment.

• Confident in working in a fast-paced environment and ability to be quick and agile in responding to news opportunities as they arise.

• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills. Able to quickly establish rapport and build strong collaborative relationships.

• Excellent time management skills: ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise workload.

• A strong team player who is also a self-starter who can work independently and confidently. An attitude that actively seeks continuous self-development and ways of doing things better.

• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to condense complicated subject matter into succinct, accessible copy.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £45-50,000 pa (FTE), 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays.

• Market leading pension plan.

• Opportunities for career growth and advancement.

• Dynamic and collaborative hybrid work environment (office days Tues-Thursday).