Press and Publications Officer

The Press and Publications Officer has a flair for hunting down stories and the technical skills to bring them to life via Glyndebourne’s print channels and through earned media. You’ll play a crucial role in our audience development, delivering quality editorial that enhances the Glyndebourne brand and reinforces the value of what we do for new and existing audiences. 

The role is split 50/50 between our press office and content team, though this may fluctuate at key times in line with business priorities. This role reports the to Senior Press Manager, with responsibilities to the Head of Content.

Whether the outcome is high-quality media coverage or delivery of one of Glyndebourne’s top-flight publications, you’ll need laser-sharp attention to detail, enviable organisational skills and significant experience in pitching, commissioning, interviewing, writing and editing. For the press side of this role, you’ll bring experience working with national, international and local media. You’ll also have expertise in end-to-end production management of print publications. 

Critical to success in this role is the ability to work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and suppliers. A solid background in the arts and a good working knowledge of classical music and opera is highly desirable.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Devise and deliver high-impact, creative press and PR campaigns (long and short lead) promoting Glyndebourne’s award-winning learning and engagement and talent development activity.
• Work closely with the Senior Press Manager to devise and deliver press and PR campaigns that support all other areas of Glyndebourne’s work, including the Festival and Autumn Season, contributing creative ideas around media pitches and target publications.  
• Manage the allocation and administration of press tickets to Glyndebourne performances. 
• Work sensitively with Glyndebourne colleagues to identify powerful case studies and realise media stories, working within established guidelines and processes for filming permissions and interview opportunities.
• Manage media enquiries within an efficient time frame, supporting and enhancing the reputation of Glyndebourne and the press office 
• Engage and maintain relationships with journalists and influencers across the media space. 
• Provide full support on opening nights and other press events, with an understanding that out of hours and weekend work will be necessary during performance periods.
• Liaise with visiting artists for internal and external media and filming coverage. 

• Assume the role of Assistant Editor on the Festival Programme Book and Autumn Season programme, supporting the Head of Content on every aspect of production – compiling content, proofreading, taking in amendments, liaising with freelancers, editing and managing the provision of paid advertising artwork.
• Manage a range of smaller publications from end to end, including the commissioning and/or writing of content,  following editorial guidelines and content processes.
• Write and edit material for all publications produced in the department.
• Help update existing publications as part of the new brand roll out.
• Ensure the editorial style guide is adhered to, supporting colleagues across the organisation. 

• Collaborate with other members of the audiences team to ensure activity is integrated into broader plans.
• Work sensitively with Glyndebourne colleagues to establish a trusted working environment, with accurate attention to detail.
• Take a share in all aspects of departmental administrative processes, identifying improvements.

This Job Description reflects the tasks and responsibilities that are currently required.  It does not preclude change or development that might be required in the future.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Excellent writing skills to create bespoke and compelling content for a range of audiences and business needs
• Ability to think creatively and reactively about content and story creation
• Experience of telling powerful human interest and charitable impact stories for a third sector organisation  
• Experience of managing relationships with national, local, industry and specialist media across a diverse range of outlets and platforms 
• A solid background in pitching and securing quality coverage across a range of outlets and platforms
• Significant experience of creating high-specification publications for a quality brand
• Proven skill in applying and interpreting brand guidelines in different media
• Extensive experience as an interviewer 
• Experience of briefing interviewees on key messaging and approach 
• Confidence with image selection and reproduction for print
• Strong editorial skills, including content planning, sub editing and proofreading 
• Confidence in print production processes: printer processes; pagination; paper choice and colour processing 
• Experience of Adobe software especially InDesign 
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities
• The ability to be flexible and adaptable, remaining calm under pressure
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Experience of collaborating with a range of stakeholders, including external freelancers and suppliers
• Ability to think laterally and pursue new opportunities
• A team player, committed to delivering on objectives with the ability to multi-task and juggle competing priorities in busy campaign periods. 

• An interest in the arts including opera.
• Experience of working on influencer PR campaigns and of working with key opinion formers
• Experience of digital publishing 

Salary

We can offer a salary of £36,000 per annum. Salaries are reviewed annually on 1st January.

Hours of Work

The contractual hours of work are 35 hours per week 9:30am – 5:30pm Monday – Friday with a one hour lunch break.

Location

On-site at Glyndebourne, with the opportunity to work off-site one day a week at certain times of the year, depending on the needs of the role.

Our benefits

• Enhanced holiday: 33 days, inclusive of bank holidays
• Extended Christmas break, in addition to your annual leave (non-contractual)
• Other enhanced leave and pay, such as Family, Sickness, Compassionate 

• Free minibus service to and from Lewes railway station (mainline to London Victoria, Brighton, Eastbourne, Seaford and Newhaven) 
• Annual pay reviews
• Enhanced pension offer matching 5% of salary
• Travel loans 
• Free on-site parking
• Cost-price electric car charging
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free tea and coffee
• Discount at the Glyndebourne shop and various high-street retailers

• Enhanced programme of in-house training
• Budget for role-specific training 

• A beautiful working environment
• Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 access to a range of personal support including counseling and legal advice
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Glyndebourne Guardians 
• Staff choir 

• Opticians and glasses subsidy 
• Free flu jabs
• Free on-site physiotherapy
• Corporate gym memberships
• Free weekly Pilates and Zumba classes on-site 
• Monthly wellness walks around our beautiful grounds
• Running club 

• Complimentary and subsidised opera tickets 
• Discounted pre-performance and interval dining  
• Social events programme

The opportunity to get involved in a number of employee-led interest groups including Environmental Champions and Diversity & Inclusion.

Your application

• Closing date: Sunday 13 April 2025
• First interviews: Wednesday 16 April 2025 (online)
• Second interviews: Tuesday 22 April 2025 (in person at Glyndebourne) 

Send your CV and covering letter to recruitment@glyndebourne.com. Please note, candidates must be able to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK.

To help us monitor the effectiveness of our commitment to diversity and inclusion and our supporting policies and procedures, we ask all job applicants to complete our anonymised and confidential Equal Opportunities monitoring form.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for our vacancies. If relevant to you, please inform us of this in your covering letter. 

Glyndebourne is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a Registered Charity. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for vacancies, including ethnically diverse and disabled candidates, who are currently under-represented in our workforce.

We welcome questions before you apply for a role. Please email recruitment@glyndebourne.com 

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