Labour Party Job Description

Job Title: Welsh Labour Communications Officer

Responsible to: The Welsh Labour Communications Officer will report to the Head of Communications and to the Welsh Labour General Secretary.

Location: Home working and the Welsh Labour office in Cardiff. The post holder will be expected to travel across Wales to support media activities.

Key Purpose: Supporting and delivering key elements of the Welsh Labour media strategy; promoting the work of the Welsh Labour Government and the work of the UK Official Opposition in Wales.

Specific Responsibilities:

 Implement the Welsh Labour communications strategy in consultation with the Head of Communications, the General Secretary and Welsh Government Advisers.

 Pitch interviews, opinion pieces and media opportunities for Welsh Labour Ministers and members of Labour’s Shadow Cabinet and others in the media.

 Manage media bids in consultation with the Head of Communications.

 Work with Members of the Senedd, Members of Parliament, Police & Crime Commissioners, councillors and candidates to promote Welsh Labour’s message across Wales.

 Brief journalists and setting up press events to promote the policies of the Welsh Labour Government, the UK Labour party and the party in local government.

 Write engaging content for the press releases, articles and opinion pieces.

 Coordinating with the Welsh Labour digital team, advising and supporting the development of content.

 Working with other members of the Welsh Labour team to maximise positive press and social media coverage of high profile visits.

 Support officers of Constituency Labour Parties with press requests and messaging.

 Provide media training to key constituency Labour Parties and Labour Councils.

 Provide advice and briefing to Welsh Labour Ministers, Shadow Cabinet and other politicians in their role as the Official Opposition, on media issues as requested.

 Be part of the Welsh Labour press weekend duty rota.

 Writing copy for articles, press releases, printed materials, emails, social media and the Welsh Labour website

 To carry out any other reasonable task as directed by the Head of Communications and the Welsh Labour General Secretary.

Labour Party Person Specification

Knowledge

 An understanding of how to manage media opportunities and relationships.

 A good knowledge of Welsh media and how wider UK media relates to issues affecting Wales.

 Knowledge of Labour Party policies and work of the Welsh Labour Government.

 Good understanding of the Welsh Labour Cabinet, UK Labour frontbench and other elected representatives.

Experience

 Experience of planning and delivering press and media activities.

 Relevant experience as a communications officer, press officer, journalist or similar.

 Experience of dealing with politicians or stakeholders at a senior level.

 Experience of responding effectively to challenges and unforeseen events.

 Experience of writing good copy

Skills / Abilities

 Excellent writing skills

 Excellent organisational skills.

 Ability to communicate with confidence to key stakeholders

 Ability to build working relationships with media.

 Ability to provide media training as necessary.

 The ability to work as part of a team.  The ability to speak Welsh would be desirable.

 A driver’s licence would be desirable.