Dear Applicant,
Why should you apply for the Head of Media Relations post?
I think that communications is crucial to the work of Lambeth Council. It brings to life
the projects that we deliver: it articulates the direction that we are taking: it reveals
the culture and ethos of the organisation: and it makes the council a real and
relevant organisation to its staff, residents, stakeholders and partners.
It is important to me that you appreciate the potential here in Lambeth. We have a
hugely diverse population with over 150 languages spoken, great richness and
poverty side by side and some truly iconic sites such as the London Eye.
I am looking for someone who can bring innovation to their work, can recognise
opportunities and draw out themes that run through our projects. I want someone
who can manage a talented Media team, who can oversee our flagship publication,
Lambeth Life and can achieve successful media coverage at a local, regional and
national level.
My top priorities include delivering impactful campaigns, targeted communications
and improving the reputation of the council and the borough. I also want my
colleagues to know that we are a professional and enabling team that is proactive
and creative.
If you think you could help us, we’d love to hear from you. If you want a chance to
demonstrate your ambition, your drive and your intelligence, please apply.
I look forward to seeing your application and meeting you.
Yours faithfully,
Julian Ellerby
Divisional Director of Campaigns and Communications
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Campaigns and Communications
Division
Head of Media Relations
PO7: Starting salary £46,239 rising in annual increments to £48,963 p.a. including
LW
Based in the Campaigns and Communications division this role involves managing
Lambeth Council's proactive and reactive media coverage as well as overseeing the
production of the council’s fortnightly newspaper, Lambeth Life. Working in a busy
and challenging environment you will manage the press team, Lambeth Life
team and contribute as a member of the senior management team in the
Communications division. The role will involve working closely with senior
colleagues and councillors from across the council on often high profile issues. You
will have media expertise, good political awareness and management experience.
If you need further clarification or would like an informal chat about the above post,
contact: • Julian Ellerby, 020 7926 2173 or email: jellerby@lambeth.gov.uk
The successful candidate will be asked to apply for a standard CRB Disclosure from
the Criminal Records Bureau. Further information about the Disclosure can be found
at www.crb.gov.uk and in the application pack.
How to apply: Please complete your application online, alternatively you can
download an email application form. You will find the form attached, as a link, to this
job advertisement. If you take the option to register with JGP you can save your
details and do not have to complete the form in one sitting. Please ensure that your
application fully addresses the shortlisting criteria set out in the person specification.
Please quote reference no OCE/032 on all correspondence.
The closing date for applications is noon, 28 September 2009
Please return your completed application form to:
Recruitment Services, 8th Floor,
Phoenix House, 10 Wandsworth Road
Vauxhall, London SW8 2LL or
E-mail to recruitment@lambeth.gov.uk quoting appropriate reference number in the
subject heading.
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b
Lambeth is committed to Safer Recruitment and aims for quality services and equal
opportunities for all.
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London Borough of Lambeth
Job Description
Job Title:
Grade:
Function:
Reporting to:
Jobholder:
Job ref:
Head of Media Relations
PO7
Campaigns & Communications
Divisional Director of Campaigns & Communications
Main Purpose
The post holder manages the council’s media relations team, enhancing and improving the
reputation of the council and managing and reducing reputational risk. This involves
providing advice at the highest level in crisis and routine situations, protecting the reputation
of the council and ensuring that learning from media scrutiny is fed back into the
organisation.
Also, managing the production of Lambeth Life, developing and improving it so that
becomes a trusted and respected communications vehicle for the council, providing editorial
steer and ensuring that it reflects and communicates the council’s priorities.
As a member of the Communications senior management team the person will contribute to
the strategic direction of communications in Lambeth. They will support the delivery of the
communications forward plan and contribute to the development and delivery of campaigns.
Principle Accountabilities
1.
To manage the media relations team, dealing with around 1500 media enquiries a
year, researching and preparing responses and managing the external reputation of
the council through the media.
2.
To liaise regularly with senior members and staff, advising them on the PR
implications of policy decisions, service developments and in crisis situations. This
includes working with lead members and executive directors in every department.
3.
To provide advice at the highest level on complex matters that will have profound
implications and act on behalf of the council to ensure that this advice is taken
forward.
4.
To devise and oversee the implementation of a programme of media relations work,
ensuring that press officers are focused on ‘selling in‘ positive stories about the
council, working pro-actively to generate a greater volume of positive coverage about
the council, particularly in local, specialist and national print media.
5.
Working with colleagues in the communications division to create greater
understanding of media relations and to enable the division to contribute to the
development of new stories in the media and in Lambeth Life.
6.
Devising a programme of relationship building with the media in national, regional,
local and trade print, broadcast and online channels, to ensure that Lambeth is
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portrayed proactively in the media and to develop opportunities to place stories about
Lambeth.
7.
Overseeing the work of the press team, delegating to the Senior Press Officer where
necessary, in order to deal with the high level of reactive work, including several
hundred statements and press releases every year in response to unforeseen events
which may have a negative impact on the council’s reputation.
8.
Ensures that the production of the press cuttings is delivered on time and that
monitoring of media is up to date
9.
To lead the media aspects of crisis situations effectively working within the council’s
emergency response plans and on behalf of the division to integrate emergency
planning alongside business continuity planning
10.
To take a proactive role in finding new ways to reach different audiences and, working
with other team members, particularly the Web Content Manager, find ways of using
new technology and other aspects of e-government to communicate effectively to
residents and other stakeholders.
11.
To support the development and delivery of the communications forward plan and in
particular support the delivery of campaigns as part of the senior management team
12.
To deliver an effective and value for money external council newspaper, providing
editorial guidance, approving story ideas and copy and ensuring that the editor
delivers the newspaper on time and to budget each issue.
13.
To research, create, implement, disseminate and enforce media protocols across the
council such as the controls on publicity in a pre-election period, and cross-council
understanding of media relations protocols.
14.
To coordinate with communications colleagues news stories across the
communications channels including web news and other external facing
communications channels
15.
To build good relations with members, senior officers and departments so that the
Media Team is always involved in media situations at the earliest possible stage.
16.
To deputise for the Director of Campaigns & Communications when required
Dimensions

Takes decisions independently in crisis situations, whilst consulting as widely as is
possible in the circumstance.

Has responsibility for managing the budget for Lambeth Life, which is approximately
£50,000 and for meeting advertising targets of £300,000.

Manages a team of a Senior Press Officer and 3 press officers. Manages an Editor and
three staff for Lambeth Life.

Deals regularly with senior staff and members, including the Leader and Chief
Executive.
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
Works irregular hours, to deal with emerging media issues as and when they happen, to
cover the out-of-hours rota and to attend evening meetings.

Ensures that all council communications comply with the Local Government Act 1986.
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Competency Based Person Specification
Head of Media Relations (PO7)
It is essential that in your written supporting statement you give evidence or
examples of your proven experience in each of the Shortlisting Criteria marked
Essential (E).
Shortlisting
Criteria
You should expect that all core competencies will be assessed as part of the
interview and assessment processes should you be shortlisted.
Key
Knowledge
K1
K2
Relevant
Experience
Key
Competencies
Knowledge and understanding of how to manage a media
relations function in a large organisation, including people
management
Knowledge and understanding of carrying out media work,
both proactive and reactive, in a
public sector setting
E
E
E1
At least five years in a media relations role, within an
organisation which has a wide range of services and
stakeholders.
E
E2
Experience of identifying the right media to use for specific
messages
E
E3
Experience of effectively managing in crisis situations
E
E4
Experience of managing people and resources
E
SM4
SM6
SM7
SM8
Negotiating and persuading
Successfully influences a broad spectrum of
people, highlighting benefits, finding
alternatives and gaining sustained
commitment
Communicating in writing
Writes in a succinct and structured way,
conveying clear messages and achieving a positive
impact on a diversity of recipients
E
E
Communicating orally
Speaks in a focused and confident way, getting
the key points across to a diversity of
audiences
Analysing and evaluating
Synthesises large volumes of information, identifies key
issues, spots patterns and trends and makes balanced
judgements
7
SM10
SM12
M3
M16
M20
Making decisions
Takes decisive, sometimes tough, and appropriate
managerial action after considering all of the
options and implications
Exercising political awareness
Establishes positive and appropriate
relationships with Members, demonstrating
political understanding and sensitivity
Delegating effectively
Delegates clearly and fully, monitoring progress
regularly and giving timely support where necessary
Resilience and professionalism
Embraces accountability, demonstrates ongoing
resilience and the highest levels of integrity
and professionalism
Managing diversity
Ensures oppressive practices are effectively tackled,
promoting positive recognition of differences, mutual
respect and merit-based opportunity.
E
E
E
E
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Structure Chart for Head of Media Relations
1 x Director of
Campaigns& Comms
Head of Media
Relations PO7
Head of Design
and Web
Head of Campaigns
and Marketing
1 x Snr Press
Officer
3 x Press
Officer
1 x Editor, Lambeth
Life
1 x Reporter
1 x Advertising Sales
Manager
1 x Sub editor/
designer
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