Press and Media Officer


Company:	East Midlands Combined County Authority
Salary:	£40,444 to £45,529 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Chesterfield, S40 1SA
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 3 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	24 Sept 2026
Closing date:	12 Oct 2026

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Summary

Salary: £40,444 – £45,529

Directorate: Communications

Grade: F15

Location: Chesterfield with regional East Midlands travel

Contract: Permanent

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Press and Media Officer to join our busy Communications team and help shape the daily news agenda for the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and the Mayor of the East Midlands.

This is a fast-paced role for someone who understands the media, has excellent news judgement and knows how to turn complex issues, policies and programmes into clear, compelling stories.

You will play a central role in delivering both proactive and reactive media activity, building strong relationships with journalists and ensuring EMCCA and the Mayor are represented clearly, accurately and effectively across local, regional and national media.

From identifying opportunities to showcase the impact of our work, to responding quickly and confidently to breaking news and media enquiries, you will help raise the profile of the Mayor, EMCCA and the East Midlands region.

You will also provide trusted media advice to senior colleagues and the Mayoral Office, helping to identify opportunities, anticipate reputational risks and ensure timely, consistent communications in a rapidly changing media and political environment.

As a regional press and media role, you will need to travel regularly across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. You will also be expected to participate in the emergency out-of-hours communications rota, which will involve some evening and weekend working. Out-of-hours rota work is paid.

What you'll be doing

You will:

• Deliver proactive and reactive press and media activity for EMCCA and the Mayor of the East Midlands.

• Develop and maintain strong, professional relationships with journalists across local, regional and national media.

• Identify opportunities to turn EMCCA and Mayoral priorities, programmes and achievements into compelling news stories.

• Write high-quality press releases, media statements, briefings, social media content and opinion pieces for a range of audiences.

• Respond confidently and accurately to media enquiries, often working to tight deadlines.

• Monitor the news, media and political landscape to identify emerging issues, opportunities and potential reputational risks.

• Provide timely, clear and well-informed media advice to senior colleagues and the Mayoral Office.

• Help shape the daily news agenda and develop proactive media opportunities that demonstrate the impact of EMCCA's work across the region.

• Facilitate press conferences and coordinate media activity around interviews, announcements and events.

• Support journalists and manage media during interviews with the Mayor and other senior spokespeople.

• Work closely with colleagues across Communications, Marketing and the wider organisation to develop integrated communications activity.

• Integrate PR and social media activity to maximise the reach and impact of key announcements and campaigns.

• Monitor and evaluate media coverage and communications activity, using insight to improve future media approaches.

• Contribute to protecting and enhancing the reputation of EMCCA and the Mayor through accurate, timely and consistent communications.

• Travel regularly across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to support media activity, interviews, announcements, events and other communications activity across the EMCCA region.

• Participate in the emergency out-of-hours communications rota. This will involve some evening and weekend working when required, with out-of-hours rota work paid.

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