The Communications Officer: Press & PR leads small to mid-scale campaigns across Soho Theatre Group and supports larger campaigns across our programme, venues and wider organisational activity. Working with the Communications Manager, Press & PR colleagues and the wider Communications team, the role builds media relationships, secures coverage and helps tell Soho Theatre’s story.
We are looking for an imaginative, organised and tenacious publicist with excellent writing skills, sound judgement and a genuine appetite for new theatre, comedy and cabaret.
Duties & Responsibilities
Campaigns
- Lead small to mid-scale Press & PR campaigns from planning through to delivery and evaluation.
- Develop clear campaign plans and write compelling press releases, pitches, media alerts, briefings and supporting copy.
- Identify stories, interviews and campaign hooks across Soho Theatre’s programme, artists, venues, Labs and Creative Engagement, touring, international work and wider activity.
- Manage agreed Visiting Company, touring and international press activity, and deliver agreed strands of major campaigns led by the Communications Manager.
- Track and evaluate activity, using results and learning to shape future campaigns.
Media relations and publicity
- Build and maintain relationships with journalists, critics, broadcasters, podcasters, influencers and other relevant contacts.
- Pitch reviews, interviews, features, news and broadcast opportunities, managing activity through to completion.
- Respond to media enquiries accurately and promptly, coordinating information, approvals, access and assets.
- Coordinate interviews, photo calls, launches and press nights, briefing the Communications Assistant on agreed administration and logistics.
- Represent Soho Theatre warmly and professionally at press & guest nights, industry events and external meetings.
PR and joined-up storytelling
- Deliver agreed word-of-mouth and influencer activity, with clear planning, targets and reporting.
- Develop relationships with relevant creators, cultural commentators, community connectors and industry advocates.
- Work with Digital Content and Marketing colleagues to connect press, influencer, content and audience activity.
- Share useful coverage, quotes, interviews and opportunities across the wider Communications team.
Team working and judgement
- Maintain clear campaign plans and records, working with the Communications Assistant on agreed tasks and logistics.
- Work with the other Press & PR Officer and Communications Manager to plan workloads, share information and provide cover.
- Provide concise updates on campaign activity, priorities, results and next steps.
- Exercise sound editorial judgement, escalating sensitive, safeguarding, reputational or crisis-related issues promptly.
- Contribute to accurate, timely website storytelling and newsfeed content.
Sustainability
- Support Soho Theatre’s environmental and sustainability objectives across production activity.
- Encourage sustainable approaches to production and visiting-company activity.
- Support the reuse, recycling and responsible disposal of scenery, props and production materials where appropriate.
- Contribute to Soho Theatre’s implementation of Theatre Green Book principles.
General
- Support the aims and objectives of Soho Theatre both internally and externally, including promoting diversity in the workplace and cultivating an inclusive work environment.
- Work collaboratively with Press, PR and Content team and wider Communications team to ensure consistency across both venues.
- Participate as a member of the team and attend relevant internal meetings and training sessions as required.
- Undertake any other duties as appropriate to the role and as agreed with Line Manager or senior leadership.
- Work collaboratively across Soho Theatre to support audiences, ticket sales, income and wider organisational priorities.
- Stay up to date with theatre, comedy, cabaret, culture, entertainment and media.
- Attend relevant meetings, press nights and events, including regular evenings and occasional weekends.
- Uphold Soho Theatre’s commitments, policies, vision, values and priorities, and undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.
This job description is a guide to the role. It may develop with the post holder and line manager as the work and team evolve.
Person Specification
Qualities & Skills
- A clear news sense and understanding of what makes a compelling media opportunity.
- Sound judgement, discretion and attention to detail, including knowing when an issue needs to be escalated.
- A collaborative, positive and adaptable approach and genuine interest in Soho Theatre’s work, audiences and distinctive voice.
- Ability to work at pace in a dynamic live performance environment
Essential
- Experience delivering press, publicity or PR campaigns from planning through to evaluation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including strong press releases, pitches and briefings.
- Experience building effective relationships with media contacts, artists, creative teams, producers, agents or comparable stakeholders.
- Ability to manage several campaigns and deadlines, take appropriate initiative and follow through reliably.
- Experience using standard workplace systems, including Microsoft Office, email, shared calendars and databases.
- Strong administrative and organisational skills.
Desirable
- Press or publicity experience in theatre, comedy, cabaret, arts, culture, entertainment or festivals.
- Experience of influencer, creator or word-of-mouth communications.
- Experience supporting touring, international work, artist development or community programmes.
- Established relevant media relationships and experience using media monitoring, distribution or reporting tools.
- Experience working across multiple venues, sites or operational teams.
- Experience of working in a theatre, live performance, the arts or a comparable creative environment.