Media and Communications Officer

Magistrates' Association is the membership organisation for magistrates in England and Wales. Magistrates are the backbone of our justice system, and we're the only independent organisation that supports, champions, and advocates for them .One of the ways we do this is by sharing our members' stories and achievements, as well as their concerns and issues, with key decision makers, the media, and the wider public.

About the role

To use your flair for writing and strong interpersonal skills, to deliver engaging internal and external communications across the MA's channel mix securing profile-raising media coverage in a range of print, broadcast, and online outlets, and developing creative, audience-focused content for our emailed newsletters, website, and social media.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to developing and implementing a marketing and communications strategy to increase the profile of the MA, in support of our organisational priorities, including the recruitment and retention of members
• Work with the Head of Marketing and Communications and colleagues to plan, deliver, and evaluate integrated campaigns.

Media:

• Build new relationships and nurture existing ones with editors, journalists, commentators, and media influencers, to ensure the MA remains an established and authoritative voice on matters regarding the magistracy
• Work with the Head of Marketing and Communications to develop and implement a schedule of strategic media engagement, identifying new opportunities (for example, reports, speeches, and events) and trends upon which the MA should capitalise
• Handle day-to-day proactive and reactive media relations, including drafting and pitching comments, press releases, quotes, and op-eds, arranging interviews for our spokespeople, and working with national and local media
• Monitor and report on the MA's media coverage and performance
• Provide briefings, support, and training for MA representatives, branches, and individual members to help them plan for and carry out media interviews
• Work with the Head of Marketing and Communications to ensure there is widespread knowledge and adherence to our rules regarding media comment, including those about impartiality.

Communications:

• Contribute to developing and delivering the annual content plan
• Manage the content and production of our email newsletters (eNews and Branch Executive News), ensuring they are relevant, useful, and go out to members on time
• Proofread and format documents and manage the production of printed materials, including liaising with printers, designers, and proofreaders
• Support the Head of Marketing and Communications to ensure that our branding and messaging are appropriate and consistent across the entire print and digital estate by ensuring adherence to our brand and style guidelines
• Work with colleagues to commission images and/or photographs for use across the
• MA's communications channels and ensure adherence to our photo management and consent process
• Produce GIFs, infographics, videos, and other visuals, as required.

Social Media:

• Manage the MA's social media channels day-to-day, designing and publishing a regular flow of compelling, shareable, timely, and targeted content that engages our different audiences (principally justice stakeholders and prospective magistrates)
• Monitor social media comments and messages - escalating and replying as needed
• Monitor and report on the MA's social media presence and performance.

Website:

• Work with the Head of Marketing and Communications to support the continued development and improvement of the MA's website
• Devise, commission, and publish engaging and topical content of both member and wider interest, including news and blog/opinion features
• Ensure that website content is kept up to date, with outdated material archived
• Monitor and report on analytics monthly, and work with colleagues to help them understand how their website content is performing.

Organisation Wide:

• Represent the MA at events, as required
• Fulfil other relevant organisation-wide duties, as required.
• At least three years' on-the-job experience in PR and communications, gained in-house an agency
• Experience of successfully implementing communications and/or media strategies and plans, and of monitoring and reporting on the impact of communications activities
• Existing or ability to develop a strong network of external media contacts, and experience in liaising with journalists at all levels
• Proven ability to devise, implement, and evaluate proactive campaigns (across digital and traditional channels) and to identify and create newsworthy stories
• Strong planning skills and an ability to manage assignments from concept to completion
• Excellent command of written English and proven experience of writing materials for a range of audiences, including press releases, op-eds, blogs, social media posts, and web copy
• Experience in commissioning, editing, and proofreading copy, ensuring adherence to brand and style guidelines
• Excellent oral communication skills, with a confident telephone manner and the ability to deliver presentations and contribute to meetings, seminars, and conferences
• Strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
• Creative eye and the ability to create digital collateral using Canva or similar tools
• Experience of using content management systems, website analytics, social media monitoring and scheduling tools, and e-newsletter software
• Ability to manage a varied workload and work to tight deadlines, reprioritising activities when needed to meet shifting/evolving organisational priorities
• Knowledge of best practices and emerging trends in digital and social media, and AI.
• Experience in using media databases and monitoring platforms
• Understanding and experience in handling reputation and crisis management issues
• Experience using Adobe Creative Cloud or similar graphic design and video editing software
• Experience of the criminal justice system
• Experience of working in membership organisations
• A positive 'can-do' attitude towards problems and challenges
• Courage and a willingness to 'speak truth to power

Required Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in either PR or journalism
• 25 days' annual leave, plus statutory holidays.
• Three-month probationary period
• 3 days of volunteering leave per year.
• Pension completion of a three-month probationary period
• Pension contribution equivalent to 10% salary
• Employee contribution 5 %

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely
• Your CV (maximum two sides of A4). Please include your contact phone number and email address
• A supporting statement (again, max two sides of A4) that sets out why you think this role is right for you, and gives examples of how you meet the criteria in the person specification.
• If you have questions about the role or the recruitment process, or would like to discuss the role informally, please email Neil Cox (Head of Marketing and Communications) at

Interviews

• Shortlisted candidates contacted by Friday, 15th August 2025
• Written test and interview from Thursday, 21st August to Friday, 29th August 2025
• Second interviews TBC

Magistrates' Association is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. Because we are focusing on becoming an organisation that more closely reflects the society we live in, we especially welcome applications from underrepresented groups

The job vacancy information provided here is from third-parties and the AAE can not guarantee the accuracy of the information.