Head of Press

The Head of Press manages the Press Office within the Office of Strategic Communications at NATO, overseeing media relations, drafting media products for senior NATO officials, and supporting media engagements. The role involves leadership responsibilities, strategic communications, and occasional travel.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the timeliness, quality, consistency and newsworthiness of media products.
• Deal with media queries, corrections and rebuttals proactively and accurately within the news cycle.
• Keep up-to-date with NATO’s political agenda and help craft key messages for the media.
• Ensure timely and accurate transcripts of media engagements by the Secretary General and other NATO officials.
• Brief on media issues and travel with the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council as required.
• Draft and review press conferences and statements for senior NATO officials demonstrating sound political judgement and organisational awareness.
• Write and review products and updates for the NATO website and relevant social media channels.
• Support the delivery of the OSC’s communications strategy and plans.
• Brief journalists, visitor groups and other audiences on NATO's policies, responsibilities and activities.
• Represent the Press and Media Section in internal and external meetings.
• Support the organisation of press conferences, briefings, press tours and media interviews.
• Ensure staff under their responsibility are clear on organisational and OSC objectives.
• Create a motivating and effective workplace.
• Provide mentoring, coaching and training opportunities, and direct the work of the team.
• Provide regular and fair feedback on performance.
• Oversee the management of the section’s budget in compliance with NATO’s financial regulations and procedures.
• Perform any other related duty as required.

Requirements

• Have a university degree in a relevant field.
• Have at least 7 years’ experience in a media / communications environment.
• Have experience in managing or leading teams.
• Have excellent drafting, editing and communications skills and political judgement.
• Have the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): VI (“Proficiency”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.
• Familiarity with the international press corps is considered an advantage.
• Familiarity with or experience in international organisations and/or the security and defence sector is considered an advantage.

Skills

• Media Relations
• Team Leadership
• Drafting and Editing
• Strategic Communications
• Political Judgment
• Media Engagements
• International Press Familiarity
• Security and Defence Communications

Languages

English, French