The Role
Post: News Manager
Salary: £ 52,242 per annum (plus a share of the on call allowance for the rota group, approximately £3,000)
Grade: FRS F
Salary range: £52,242 - £67,836 per annum (plus a share of the on call allowance for the rota group, approximately £3,000)
Contract type: Fixed Term (12 months)
Working pattern: Full Time
Application closing date: Tuesday 07 November 2023 at 16:00 GMT
London Fire Brigade is regularly in the news. Working with the media, we tell the story of how the Brigade is transforming to serve Londoners, campaign to protect the communities we serve and inform the public about our response to incidents.
This exciting role involves managing and leading the news team, formed of 5 other people, in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, working with colleagues from across the Brigade. The role manages the successful delivery of our 24/7 press office function, and the successful candidate will participate in the out of hours duty rota.
The role also involves working with other team managers and heads of departments to successfully deliver campaigns and projects in our Communications and Engagement Strategy. This includes the roll out of transformation projects (such as new equipment and training), continuing a steady drumbeat of activity to support campaigns (such as #ChargeSafe) and improvements to our channels and ways of working. In particular, the role works closely with the Digital Manager and the digital team to manage the delivery of content on our social media channels.
The successful candidate will need to be confident leading a team, able to think fast about breaking news and operate effectively in a crisis. They will have experience of effectively building and maintaining relationships with journalists as well as people in equivalent roles in partner organisations. They must also have an understanding of the political environment in which the Brigade operates.
In addition, the successful candidate will have excellent writing skills, an ability to distil complex information into ideas that engage relevant audiences and be comfortable developing creative executions for the media, which are also adaptable across other channels.
They will be comfortable planning and leading a variety of different forms of engagement, including written, remote video and face to face
Further information about the main duties and responsibilities of the role are detailed in the job description. If you are unable to see the job description please visit our jobs pages at https://jobs.london-fire.gov.uk/alljobs/ to access the full advert.
We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
Assessment Overview
Stage 1
Online application, CV and cover letter (sift). Shortlisted candidates will be invited to stage 2.
To apply, please complete the online application, provide a cover letter clearly outlining the relevant experience, skills and knowledge you have to successfully perform this role (see the highlighted areas on job description below) and upload a copy of your up-to-date CV. Please note that we will review and score the cover letter based against the competencies highlighted in the selection criteria section of the job description.
Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications cannot be accepted.
Please note any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the address you provide on your application form.
Stage 2
Assessment for this role is due on Thursday 16 November at Brigade Headquarters, Union Street, SE1 0LL.Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.
Candidates being assessed on this day will be asked to give a presentation (10 minutes maximum) on a media campaign or strategy that they have delivered and are most proud of.
Additional Information
Benefits of working for LFB
• 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Option Absence Scheme (which can result in an additional 12 days annual leave for staff at this grade)
• Flexible working including job share
• Welfare Scheme
• Use of Brigade Medical Adviser/physios
• Season ticket loans
• Equality Support Groups
• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to access affordable accommodation
In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a basic criminal records check. Successful candidate will be required to declare any convictions for offences which are not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory. Successful candidates should apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to get a copy of their criminal record and share the original disclosure certificate with the LFC. The check will only show convictions that are not ‘spent’. It will cost the successful candidates £18 (current charge) and usually takes up to 14 days.
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