Vacancy Information
Division / Department - Media and Communications
Grade - Grade 11
Status - Full Time or Happy to Talk Flexible Working
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - £38,007 - £41,928
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - No
Politically Restricted - Yes
Location - Sussex Police Headquarters, Lewes
The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.
Chief Constables' Message
We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.
We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.
We wish you all the very best with your application.
Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner
The Role & Key Responsibilities
Our media team is one of the busiest in the UK, dealing with hundreds of media enquiries every month and providing 24/7 specialist support that keeps the public informed on a full range of policing incidents, criminal investigations and work being carried out to keep Sussex safe.
As one of two Media Managers, you will ensure Sussex Police engages effectively via news media and digital channels to prevent and detect crime, catch criminals and protect our local communities.
Responsible for providing a proactive information service with high standards of creative content, you will support the operational demands of the force, share positive outcomes and help shape how we respond and plan for emerging risks.
You'll develop and implement communications strategies, advise senior officers and staff and work with partner agencies on a range of issues and events, including critical incidents.
You'll effectively manage resources within the team, ensure we act swiftly and appropriately to the agenda of the day and maintain positive relationships with national, regional and local media.
If you're looking for a rewarding, exciting and challenging career and can confidently manage a range of demands on your time this could be the job you are looking for.
Media Manager key responsibilities:
* Provide a proactive and engaging news and information service via earned, owned and paid channels, supporting operational policing, our force priorities and building public confidence.
* Write and deliver communications strategies to support operational policing covering a range of issues including criminal investigations, historic investigations and large-scale events.
* As newsdesk supervisor, provide strategic and tactical guidance and advice about media issues, helping prevent and respond to emerging issues and risks, working closely with colleagues across the wider Media and Communications Department.
* Build relationships with officers and staff of all ranks, statutory and voluntary partners and media to provide accurate and relevant proactive and reactive material and swiftly respond to correct any misreporting.
* Lead the implementation and delivery of the force's media policy, including project management as directed by the Head of Media.
* Supervise and develop the News and Media Officers in implementing policy, managing media enquiries and implementing strategies to manage risk and reputational issues, promote partnership working, help prevent and detect crime and increase public confidence.
* Provide training to support officers and staff who engage with the media to ensure communications are lawful and accessible to Sussex communities and work in support of the Sussex Police priorities.
* Manage resource levels within the team, making sure the 24/7 on-call and weekend working rotas are staffed, anticipating and addressing resourcing shortfalls within the team.
* Develop effective and comprehensive online and offline news monitoring mechanisms to ensure the force reacts swiftly and appropriately to the news agenda, ensuring awareness of anticipated news issues and that appropriate action is taken to demonstrate relevant police action.
* Be able to effectively respond to a major or critical incident, providing strategic advice and developing and implementing tactical communications solutions.
* Be part of the out-of-hours on-call rota and provide back-up supervision out of hours to the on-call News and Media Officer as required, as well as support for the newsdesk.
Skills & Experience
* Degree level qualification, NCTJ certificate or equivalent professional experience.
* Strong news sense with established editorial skills working in a news media or busy press office environment.
* Delivery of news content and public information across multiple channels, including news media and digital.
* Demonstrable experience of identifying and mitigating reputational risk and public confidence issues.
* Experienced in media relations and nurturing mutual understanding to enhance outcomes.
* At ease with using a range of digital CMS and social platforms/software including Facebook, X and Instagram.
* Excellent knowledge of media law with proven decision-making skills under pressure.
* Exceptional news and feature writing skills with strong attention to detail.
* Experience of, and confident in, influencing and advising senior colleagues, stakeholders and partners.
* Experience of leading and motivating others.
* Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Why Work With Us?
We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;
* career progression
* contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
* generous annual leave allowance
* discounts for everyday spend
* on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
* generous and supportive parental leave
* financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
* discounted contributory healthcare scheme
Please use the following link for more information on the benefits of working with Sussex Police
Further Information
This role requires travel to meetings and locations, sometimes at short notice, for which public transport may not be suitable. Therefore the post-holder must have their own means of transport and be insured for business use. Where transport involves the driving of police vehicles, you must have a full driving licence and the ability to attain a Force Police Driving Permit.
This is a politically restricted position, to view the Political Restrictions Policy for Police Staff click here
The successful candidate will be required to work on a shift pattern which runs between 7am-5.30pm Monday to Friday and 8am-4pm Saturday and Sunday. All members of the Media Team also take part in a 24/7 on-call rota.
Interviews will be held in the week commencing 24 June at Sussex Police Headquarters in Lewes. Candidates will be given a presentation topic to prepare on the day and a series of interview questions based on the College of Policing competency and values framework for policing.
For more information and an informal discussion about the role, please contact Hannah Easterby, Deputy Head of Media and Communications: Hannah.easterby@sussex.police.uk
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.
We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and Disability Confident, a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here .
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.
Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police
Additional Information
Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.
This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.
Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;
* vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
* vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
* if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment
Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.
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