Press Officer

Job summary

Press Officer
£44,000 per annum
Bedford
12-month FTC
Hybrid Working

Join us at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) as a Press Officer. The Press Officer role at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is a key position in the communications and media team, in the Customer Engagement directorate. This role works closely with colleagues across the organisation to deliver excellent and impactful press activity across a range of priorities, and to consumer and stakeholder audiences.

We’re looking for a proactive, organised and confident communicator, with strong news judgement, excellent writing skills and the ability to turn complex financial topics into clear, engaging stories.

You will be a brand ambassador for MaPS and for MoneyHelper, our impartial and government-backed consumer-facing service.

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage core press office processes, including the news inbox, media enquiries, media monitoring, briefing materials and media lists.
• Draft press notices and media pitches to promote MoneyHelper tools and services.
• Keep an up-to-date list of MaPS spokespeople and support them for media engagements, providing clear briefings and in-person assistance where needed.
• Build and manage relationships with journalists, commentators and outlets, across a range of consumer and trade media (digital, broadcast and written).
• Monitor the news agenda to identify opportunities or risks for MaPS, MoneyHelper and wider financial wellbeing issues, briefing colleagues accordingly.
• Collaborate with colleagues, including those in operational, policy, marketing, and social media teams, to deliver joined up external communications activity in support of business priorities.
• Any other duties as reasonably required. There is an expectation of flexibility for this role, and time may be deployed to support areas of communications outside of the press office when necessary.

Person specification

Essential Skills and Experience:

Essential

• Experience in a communications, media relations or press office role (ideally 2+ years).
• Experience helping to generate positive media coverage, including drafting press materials, pitching stories and responding to journalist enquiries.
• Experience preparing briefing materials and supporting spokespeople ahead of media opportunities.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with journalists, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Good awareness of a range of media channels, including national, regional, broadcast, consumer and digital outlets.
• Excellent news judgement and an understanding of reputation risks when communicating on behalf of an organisation subject to public scrutiny.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, contributing ideas and supporting continuous improvement.
• A strong interest in MaPS and improving financial wellbeing.

Desirable

• Experience working in a media agency, or a consumer- or service user-facing organisation.
• Experience working in or with Government, a regulator, an arm’s-length body or a public agency.
• Experience supporting the delivery of communications plans across media, digital and stakeholder channels.
• Experience creating or scheduling social media content.

Benefits

About Us
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK.

At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values – caring, connecting, and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other. We’re not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves with our values:

• Caring
  We care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.
• Connecting
  We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.
• Transforming
  We are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.

Our Inclusive Working Environment
By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to “bring their whole selves to work.”

Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men’s health, ethnicity, and diversity.

What We Offer

• Generous Annual Leave – 30 days plus Bank Holidays
• Pension scheme – contributions matched 2 to 1 (employer contribution up to 10% of your salary)
• Interest-free loan for season tickets for buses and trains
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs
• Life assurance scheme
• Give as you earn scheme
• Employee assistance programme (EAP)
• PAM Assist and PAM Life scheme (Wellbeing)
• Enhanced family and sick pay
• Paid volunteering (2 days a year)
• Recognition Scheme
• Discounts portal to numerous retailers

Flexible Working
At MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work. As standard, we work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in the office per month. Hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and our headquarters in Bedford will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Recruitment Process:

1. Initial Review: Our recruiter will review your CV. If it looks like a good fit, they'll reach out to arrange a call.
2. Hiring Manager Review: If the recruiter thinks you're suitable, your CV will be passed to the hiring manager, who will decide whether to invite you for an interview.
3. Interview: If selected, you'll participate in a virtual interview. This single-stage process allows you to demonstrate your skills and experience through competency-based questions. This will a