The ONS Media and Public Relations team provides:

• Creative and cross-disciplinary communications strategies to advance the organisation’s reputation, covering traditional media and social media channels as well as PR opportunities.
• Media handling of ONS statistics and analyses including briefings, press releases and corporate digital content, and ensuring accurate reporting and understanding of the more than 600 publications ONS produce each year.
• Proactive media advice and engagement for the Permanent Secretary, National Statistician and Deputies.
• Reactive response to media enquiries.
• Media and PR handling advice and support for colleagues across the ONS.
• Media and presentation training to build colleague capability on working with the media.

The Head of Media and PR leads all media and public relations engagement for the ONS.  The post holder builds productive and proactive relationships with senior leaders and media contacts, devising and delivering effective campaigns and interventions towards the achievement of strategic objectives, while supporting and nurturing a team of talented press officers.

They also deputise for the Deputy Director of Communications.

We’re looking for someone who would relish a role demanding strong strategic thinking across a fascinating range of topics, and the ability to respond at pace to emerging issues, including out of hours support.  You will build the confidence of senior colleagues throughout the organisation, while bringing insight and best practice from your communications networks.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading and developing the Media Relations Office – supporting a proactive, creative team that seeks out opportunities to highlight the work of the ONS and pre-empt negative commentary, tackle misinformation and ensure swift rebuttal where that appears.
• Supporting three G7 Team Leaders to lead on proactive multi-disciplinary communications strategies supporting economic statistics, population and Census 2031 preparations and for key figures including the National Statistician, and to develop their teams to support their delivery.
• Maximising the synergy between press, public relations, social media and other ONS channels, working closely with counterparts from across the communications and digital publishing directorate.
• Providing trusted media and PR advice to senior leaders, statisticians and analysts.
• Commissioning and setting high standards for developing high quality editorial content on corporate and statistical issues, including articles and press releases, briefings and media statements for news outlets, social media and other channels.
• Commissioning and generating story ideas, proactively building positive relationships with senior journalists, editors and commentators – and supporting the team to do the same.
• Nurturing talent within the team – encouraging career development, and opportunities for creativity and new ideas, and cross-directorate working.
• Building capacity within the team and across the organisation on working with the media, through overseeing training and coaching.
• Being an active leader within the Government Communications Service (GCS) to help grow the capability of our people and share best practice for communications delivery, including innovative activity and use of new technologies.