Location
102 Petty France, London

Hours
Flexible working hours with occasional need to work outside usual hours. Participation in an out-of-hours duty rota with generous overtime payments.

Salary
£40,014 - £42,859 plus generous overtime payments for out-of-hours duty rota participation.

About the Role
The Ministry of Justice Press Office is a dynamic and highly regarded team within government, responsible for shaping news coverage on a wide range of issues including prisons, probation, family justice, victims support, and court system modernization. As a Press Officer, you will operate at the heart of government communications, briefing journalists and setting out the Government’s position clearly and confidently. You will develop innovative communication plans across multiple platforms, focusing on print, broadcast, and consumer media, while collaborating closely with ministers, communication professionals, and stakeholders to create effective messaging.

Key responsibilities include reactive media management, handling breaking news, drafting statements, providing media advice to Ministers and officials, and maintaining strong relationships with journalists and colleagues. You will also contribute to the Press Office out-of-hours service, which is compensated with overtime payments.

Joining the team also means becoming part of the Government Communication Service (GCS), benefiting from continuous professional development, mentoring, and a network of skilled communicators across government.

Experience
Excellent understanding of the national news agenda, social media landscape, and communications handling with strong news judgement and political awareness. Experience in journalism, media, or a press office environment is advantageous but not essential.

About you
Confident communicator with excellent verbal and written skills, able to produce high-quality press releases, briefings, and statements for diverse audiences. Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines. Effective team player with strong networking skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with journalists, Ministers, officials, and stakeholders. Collaborative, adaptable, and motivated to deliver clear communication strategies.

Qualifications
No specific qualifications required; however, a proven ability to distil complex information into clear key messages and plan communications strategically based on insights is essential.