JOB TITLE: Press Officer (Maternity Cover)

Job Description Date: 14 March 2014

JOB TITLE: Press Officer (maternity cover) DEPARTMENT: Admin/Press & PR Reports to: Press & PR Manager

Overall Role Objective To work within the communications team to deliver and develop media relations for all aspects of Opera North, securing coverage and maintaining the Opera North brand. Ensuring the press office works to the highest quality of reactive and proactive media communications.

Specific Role Duties: Duties to include but not limited to the following:

. Creative and strategic input into the annual/season PR plans, including opera on the mainstage, the eclectic events in Howard Assembly Room (HAR), the Tour, Education projects and wider collaborations . Contribute to the planning of events and media stunts, including shows, exhibitions and photo- calls, and support their implementation . Assist with running Press Desk and Press reception event on first nights on the mainstage in Leeds and on Tour along with attending HAR events when appropriate. Oversee tickets, press lists and collateral for press . Research and write press releases for the spectrum of Opera North’s work as directed by PR Manager . Pitch, secure and manage interviews for regional print and broadcast media. Assist and support with national media . Ensure reactive and proactive press work, with specialist titles, freelance arts writers and the nationals, with a focus on regional media, across print, broadcast and online . With the PR Manager, support Opera North’s online presence on Twitter / Facebook and Social Media PR activity . Co-ordinate and pitch competitions in various media, including working with partners such as airline and hotel companies . Support photography/filming of mainstage and HAR events and Education projects, ensuring internal communication and securing of necessary permissions . Work with regional venues / media to gain coverage for the tours. Coordinating media lists / invitations / interview opportunities. Main point of contact for regional venues / media. Host regional media on first nights . Maintain third party relationships with partners and stakeholders such as Chandos Recordings / University of Leeds . Working with the PR manager, oversee the work of a Communications Assistant (shared resource with Marketing) Knowledge, skills and experience required

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

. Strong organisational, planning and time management skills . A well presented appearance with ability to represent the Company when appropriate . Creative copywriting and proof-reading skills . Confidence with good communication and networking skills . Experience of liaising with journalists / stakeholders at all levels . PR Social media experience (Twitter/Facebook etc.) . They are articulate, literate and possess tact and diplomacy . An interest in arts and culture . Ideas generation / lateral thinking

Experience

. 2 years minimum PR experience . Ability to lead on projects and take responsibility for running an . Managing events . Media trained . Excel . Word . Powerpoint . Image editing . Media database / media monitoring services

Attitudes

. Drive and resilience . Networker . ‘Can-do’ attitude

Terms and Conditions

Salary Range: c. £20, 000 per annum

Contract dates: 9 June 2014 until 27 March 2015

Hours of working: Normal office hours are 09.30 – 5.30pm Occasional evening and weekend work will be required

Normal place of work: Opera North, Premier House, Leeds

Holiday entitlement: 33 days annually (including Bank Holiday entitlement) pro rata

Pension: Should the contract extend beyond six months, Opera North will contribute to the company pension scheme.