current vacancies

current vacancies

SBAC offers a new job opportunity within the SBAC Communications team.

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Defence Communications Adviser

Based: SBAC's central London offices

Reporting to: SBAC Head of Media Relations and liaising with SBAC defence staff

Strategic Communications Aim:
To be the liaison between the UK defence industry and the Ministry of Defence in terms of media communications aiming to improve internal and external confidence in the value and effectiveness of the support the UK armed forces receive from MOD and industry and the opportunities the sector offers for careers and investors.

Role:
To facilitate effective communication of positive defence-wide messages in support of the MOD / Industry Joint Communications Group (JCG).

Objectives:
* To develop and deliver a campaign for raising awareness of the excellence of MOD and industry support to the Armed Forces and the importance and attractiveness of careers in defence.
* To increase the level of positive media coverage of defence industry and the Ministry of Defence's acquisition process.
* To help demonstrate that the Defence Industrial Strategy and Acquisition Change programme are making a positive difference.
* To assist the exploitation of positive media stories and provide a conduit to help raise awareness of MOD / industry (particularly SME) activities, in line with the agreed strategy, priorities and tactical plan.
* Help improve the perception of defence to a wide stakeholder community, including the general public.

Modus Operandi
* Strategic direction from the Joint Communications Group, with day to day direction from the Industry Co-chair of the Joint Communications Group and the SBAC Head of Media Relations to link up with broader industry initiatives.
* Work with companies, trade associations, trade unions and MOD to identify and exploit good news stories.
* Develop a coherent set of key messages, proof points and sound bites that will help establish a consistent story to the UK media.
* Work with MOD Communications staff and IPTs to encourage the maximum exploitation of positive stories consistent with the joint communications charter, including identifying and where stories are blocked which could help to achieve the strategic aim.
* Liaise with media to encourage balanced reporting on defence issues and educate the media in procurement processes.
* Act as prime interface with Industry Communications Group.

Clarification:
* The Defence Communications Facilitator is not intended to be a spokesperson for the industry. The DIC/TAs would offer alternative spokespersons should this be requested.
* The Defence Communications Facilitator is not intended to be an industry source to rebut or comment on bad news stories. This is a matter for the MOD or companies concerned.
* This role is that of a facilitator not sole originator. There remains a responsibility on the members of the JCG to originate and provide practical support to the delivery of the group's objectives.
* Attending exhibitions and airshows internationally to provide PR and media relations support as outlined above.
* Supporting the communications team with public affairs, parliamentary activity and the publication of papers and reports as requested by the SBAC Head of Media Relations.

Skills / experience
* Previous experience in a media liaison/public relations role in the defence industry or a role in the defence media.
* Good current contacts and relationships with defence journalists.
* Experience of dealing with MOD on communications/PR issues.
* Press release writing skills.
* Exhibition/event PR and media liaison experience.
* Event and hospitality organisation skills.
* Trade and national media contacts.
* Experience of running/overseeing websites.

Please send your CV in confidence to:

Beth Porter Beth.Porter@sbac.co.uk
HR Manager, SBAC

Vacancy SBAC Defence Communications Adviser (27.6 KB)

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We are also interested to hear from member companies and key government stakeholders interested to place people in SBAC for medium to long term secondments and industrial placements.