Job Description

Assistant Press Officer - Band E

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Vacancy Reference Number
19736


Number of Vacancies
1
(B) OCU
Communication & Engagement
Location
Westminster
Building
NEW SCOTLAND YARD
Band
Band E
Part/Full Time
Full Time
Hours per Week
36 hours per week
Type of Contract
Permanent
Job Advert

Job Title:

Assistant Press Officer

Salary:

The starting salary is 34,808, which includes allowances totalling 2,928.


The salary is broken down as 31,880 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale 34,108. Plus, a location allowance of 1,928 and a non-pensionable allowance of 1,000.

Location

New Scotland Yard, Westminster. You may be expected to work at other Met buildings across London as part of a blended working agreement. There are also some opportunities for remote working when appropriate.

Work Pattern

: You will work 36 hours a week, with typical working hours of 9-5pm. You may be required to work sometimes outside these hours. This could include evening and weekend working on a rota basis in due course.

Job criteria:

This is a unique, new entry-level opportunity to work on some of the country's biggest news stories and make a real difference to the lives of millions of Londoners who rely on the Met for support every single day.


We are building a team that reflects the public we serve. We value diverse perspectives and are especially keen to hear from applicants who can bring new ideas and different experiences to our work. We are looking for driven, passionate individuals who want to build a career in media relations. If you have excellent written and verbal communications skills, love news and are not afraid to get stuck in - this could be the role for you.


You will be stepping into one of the UK's busiest press offices where you will receive training and support from some of the best communicators in the country. While your primary focus will be on media relations, you'll gain exposure to a wide range of communications disciplines, with opportunities to work alongside colleagues in digital, external relations, campaigns & marketing, strategy and internal communications. This is a new role following the transformation of the communications team as we work towards becoming the best in the business.


With the support of your team, you can expect - from day one - to go from assisting in delivering press conferences at the cordons of major crime scenes, to supporting press officers and senior detectives and the families of victims during trials at the Old Bailey.


You'll also be responsible for building your own positive relationships with journalists, managing sensitive information responsibly, and ensuring our communications are consistent, ethical and aligned with our values. In return we will give you training and support to provide the basis for a stellar career in comms.


While others say it, we can guarantee it - no two days will be the same.

Key Responsibilities:

Media enquiries and support

- Respond with accurate, timely information, escalating complex issues as needed. Support the team during incidents by writing media statements, fielding calls from journalists and officers, and assisting with media handling.

Drafting and content

- Draft media statements, quotes, and releases for review and approval. Stand ready to produce material for other channels as needed, such as the intranet and scripts for digital content.

Monitoring and insight

- Monitor media coverage and flag any emerging issues or inaccuracies. Keep records of enquiries, responses and press activity.

Operational Support

- Help coordinate media logistics such as interviews, filming and press briefings. Liaise with other teams to support communication delivery across all channels.

Team collaboration

- Work closely with colleagues across Communications & Engagement and drive a collaborative approach across the team.

What you'll get:

In addition to a competitive starting salary of 31,880 plus an allowance of 2,928, you'll be part of a team that has a tangible impact on public safety. You'll work in one of the most exciting media environments in the UK, with opportunities for growth, learning, and progression as part of the Met's communications transformation. We hope this will provide the springboard for an exceptional career with the Met comms team.

Competency and Values Framework:

The Competency and Values Framework (CVF) aims to support all policing professionals, now and into the future. It sets out nationally recognised behaviours, which will provide a consistent foundation for a range of Met and national processes.


As part of the role, you are expected to operate and demonstrate the behaviours as set out in the national policing competency and values framework to the levels as shown below:

Level 1:

'We are emotionally aware'; 'We are collaborative'; 'We deliver, support and inspire'; 'We are innovative and open minded'; 'We take ownership', 'We analyse critically'


An overview and full details of the Competency and Values Framework can be downloaded from Met Careers application pages or found at Competency and values framework (CVF) | College of Policing.

Ready to make a difference?

This is your chance to be part of something bigger. If you're passionate about media, love a challenge, and want to play a key role in shaping the future of policing communications, apply now.


Join the Met and help us keep London safe.

How to apply

To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply now" button below. The application process requires a comprehensive CV, a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement, you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and/or Personal Statement.

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 25th September 2025.

Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. The application review for this vacancy will commence September 2025.


Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview. Interview dates will commence September / October 2025.

www.metpolicecareers.co.uk

Essential For The Role

About you:

You'll have

Previous experience in media relations and communications is not necessarily required, though still advantageous, but you must be able to demonstrate strong knowledge of current affairs and the communications environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write clearly and concisely under pressure. Understanding of the UK media landscape. If you do not love and routinely follow the news, then this is not the job for you. Ability to work calmy and professionally in high-pressure situations, including delivering crisis communication. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including journalists. A proactive and creative approach to managing issues and identifying opportunities.

Desirable

Knowledge of or experience in policing, public sector communications, or working in a regulated environment. Understanding of media law and ethical considerations in public communications.

Required Languages
English
Additional Information
CVF Staff Final v2.pdf - 971KB Opens in a new window

Disability Confident Statement

The Met is committed to being an equitable (fair and impartial) and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long-term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women.



As a Disability Confident Leader, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.



The Met is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best. If you need any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence.




Please note, if you are applying for a police officer role or to become a police community support officer (PCSO) or designated detention officer (DDO), there is a minimum requirement that you must pass a job-related fitness test (JRFT) at point of entry. This does not apply to police staff roles. Find out more about police fitness standards.



Read our full disability confidence statement.