Press Officer Associate

Join Ofwat’s Communications and Engagement team as a Press Officer Associate in the Press Office team.

About Us

We’re Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority – a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales.

As the economic regulator of water and wastewater companies in England and Wales, our role is to enable, incentivise and hold companies to account for providing the very best for customers, communities and the environment. We also oversee the markets in the water sector to ensure they’re working for customers. Following the Independent Water Commission’s Final Report and subsequent White Paper - 'New Vision for Water', the UK government has set out a bold new direction - one that brings together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment.

The Role

The Press Office is the guardian of Ofwat’s reputation. We work to both protect of the reputation of the organisation and promotion of its work proactively. We work with organisations across the modern media landscape – national and local newspapers, broadcast, trade and specialist media, and online, digital media outlets.

The Press Office manages the media handling on behalf of the organisation. We work closely with colleagues in other communications teams to deliver on our strategy, including the public affairs, digital, stakeholder and marketing teams.

At a crucial time for the water sector, you will contribute to, and help deliver, our media strategy, building on our overall communications strategy and ensuring that we target media stakeholders effectively, deliver the right messages across to the right audiences, and strengthen our horizon scanning.

Key deliverables

In this role you will be expected to:

• Work within the press team and its functions, servicing media questions, bids and briefing from journalists across the media landscape to enhance and protect the reputation of the organisation.
• Work closely with colleagues, including policy officials and senior leadership, to advise on the role communications can play and media handling approaches.
• Work on proactive media handling, including drafting press releases and developing proactive media tactics that will get cut through in a competitive media landscape. You will work with policy teams to agree messaging and maximise media opportunities.
• Advise and ensure that senior leaders are supported by press office, including briefing on relevant news stories and emerging issues as required.
• Build relationships with journalists across print, broadcast and trade and consumer, digital media.
• Complete analysis and evaluation tasks to gather insight and promote best practice within the team and beyond.
• Take part in out of hours media duty, including occasion work at weekends and on bank holidays.
• Work with partner regulators and central government on water-related issues.
• Carry out additional duties and support projects appropriate for the role.

About You

Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:

1. Lead Criteria: Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and concisely.
2. Lead Criteria: Interest, knowledge and awareness of the modern media landscape.
3. Experience working with media and the press, including new media outlets.
4. Ability to influence and network with stakeholders internally and externally, including senior management and journalists.
5. Ability to horizon scan and spot upcoming risks and opportunities.
6. Administration and digital skills, and excellent attention to detail.

Why You Should Join Us:

• People Centric: Our people are at the heart of Ofwat and everything we do - we ensure all voices are heard and treat each other with respect; you'll be given the autonomy and the support to do your role in the best way.
• Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture build on trust, flexibility, and collaboration.
• Development Opportunities: Gain valuable experience and develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic setting.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home combined with the benefits of in person collaboration in our Birmingham offices.
• Good employer pension contributions
• 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 with each year of service, plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave.
• Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
• Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
• Up to three volunteering days per year.
• Recognition vouchers scheme rewarding your hard work.
• Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.

We have 1 Fixed Term contract available until the end of December 2027.

*Office Location: London (E14 4HD) or Birmingham (B5 4UA) with hybrid working*