Media & PR Officer

Midlands Arts Centre

Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), is an exciting, ambitious arts centre with a busy programme of theatre, music, dance, independent cinema, exhibitions, creative courses and special events. It’s a relaxed, friendly place, with a vibrant café and lively bar.
Well-loved and well used, with an annual footfall of nearly 1 million visitors, MAC attracts a diverse mix of visitors and audiences. It won the award for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism at the 2024 West Midlands Tourism Awards and is a national leader in developing work with children, young people and families. 

We’re looking for a Media and PR Officer brimming with positive energy and ideas to keep MAC moving forward. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in pitching articles/interviews, securing positive media coverage and delivering successful promotional campaigns across the full range of channels, along with a strong understanding of the sector. 
MAC believes passionately in access to the arts for everyone and being situated in a young, diverse and digital city we have a responsibility to reflect that. In return we can offer you unrivalled experience within the arts sector, a friendly team who work closely with arts producers and access to some incredible high-quality art. 

Principal Purpose of Post

The Media and PR Officer is responsible for ensuring that Midlands Arts Centre promotes and advocates its mission, objectives and activities as effectively as possible, to a range of internal and external stakeholders. 

The post holder will work closely with the Marketing team and other relevant departments including the Chief Executive & Artistic Director and the Development and Commercial teams to maximise public engagement with MAC and to raise the profile of its charitable and commercial activities.

Key Responsibilities 

Press and Media

• Producing and circulating timely and appealing press releases, liaising regularly with regional/national media contacts and responding efficiently to requests for interviews, statements and publicity photos 
• Pitching articles/interviews and securing positive media coverage (news stories, opinion pieces, features, reviews, listings and other editorial coverage) to showcase the breadth and diversity of MAC’s artistic programme and commercial offer and their respective benefits to audiences, visitors, clients and funders
• Maintaining a database of key media contacts and sector influencers, building constructive relationships that capitalise on their reach
• Collating press coverage through MAC’s cuttings service and producing statistics/data for internal and external (funder) reporting
• Staying alert and informed about external media stories and the wider news agenda and actively seeking out new PR opportunities for MAC.
• Identifying opportunities to submit entries for industry awards that strategically support MAC’s public profile and compiling material for submissions with input from the wider team 

Communications and advocacy 

• Maintaining a comprehensive, up-to-date VIP list - producing and managing invitations for MAC’s season launches and other corporate hospitality/networking events
• Working closely with MAC’s Development team to create and deliver engaging public campaigns that support MAC’s fundraising objectives and obligations, including accurate crediting
• Capturing case studies and evidence from programme activity to support lobbying, influencing, commercial and fundraising activities and general PR
• Working closely with senior management to support and facilitate crisis communications 
• Working with MAC’s Marketing team to produce, deliver and analyse public surveys to inform MAC’s strategic activities
• Producing MAC’s monthly staff newsletter and other internal comms as required
• Working with MAC’s Creative Digital Producer and external photographers as required, to capture key events and ensure that MAC has a comprehensive, high-quality and well-organised image bank

Social media and digital profile

• Working closely with the Marketing team to create fresh, engaging content for all of MAC’s social media channels, strategically balancing posts across a busy schedule and measurably increasing reach and engagement
• Tracking and sharing insights from social media analytics/website analytics to inform and influence marketing and other activities
• Actively monitoring and responding to online review sites to support a positive reputation for MAC
• Ensuring that MAC events are featured on popular event listings sites, groups and forums
• Ensuring that news items and other (non-programme related) sections of MAC’s website (e.g sustainability, access, Board) are up-to-date and engaging

Brand

• Working collaboratively with the Marketing team to ensure that key messages are communicated in a clear, concise and consistent tone, using the most current terminology and with a strong consideration to accessibility
• Supporting the Marketing team to ensure correct and effective use of MAC’s logo and brand internally and externally

General

• To participate in training and development activities as required and to assist with the training and development of colleagues as appropriate.
• To undertake any other duties which may be required from this post.

Equal Opportunities & Diversity

• All staff are expected to further, promote, and ensure the implementation of, the equal opportunities and diversity policies of MAC.

Note

This job description outlines the principal responsibilities and duties of the post holder. It is not    meant to be, nor is it, an exhaustive list of specific responsibilities and duties. The post holder will be expected to undertake any other duties which could reasonably be expected as being within the remit of the post and which arise out of changes in legislation, regulations, orders, rules and working practices, methods and procedures and reviews, as directed from time to time.

Hours of work may include weekend and evening work but time off in lieu will be given. This position is not subject to an Enhanced Disclosure with CRB (see Criminal Records Bureau Policy & Procedure).

Person Specification

A person specification describes the areas of knowledge, skills and experience a person should possess in order to take up the post. 

Essential

• At least 12 months experience of working in PR, communications or media roles at a local, regional or national level, ideally within the charitable or cultural sectors.
• Educated to A Level standard or equivalent, with GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English
• Able to demonstrate experience of working with the media (i.e. writing press releases, arranging photo and filming calls, pitching and placing stories in a variety of media, generating news across traditional platforms, as well as online communication channels) 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with (or knowledge of) using social media for business
• Exceptional organisational and administrative skills, attention to detail, time management and accuracy.
• Mature and conscientious attitude to work.
• Advanced IT skills, a proficiency in Microsoft Word/Excel 
• Confidence to network with people at all levels 
• Ability to build strong relationships both internally and externally, particularly with cultural influencers, journalists, funders, patrons, members and artists.
• Enthusiasm and commitment to MAC’s mission, and ambition to form a career in the third sector.

Desirable

• Existing contacts with media/press networks
• Knowledge of the daily operation of an arts centre
• Existing contacts with other arts, culture and educational organisations
• A knowledge of box office software
• A knowledge of bulk email software e.g Mailchimp, Dotmailer
• Experience with (or knowledge of) using a website content management system.