PR & Communications Apprentice

Introduction

Fancy joining one of London’s fastest growing communications agencies? Headland Consultancy’s apprenticeship programme will give you an unrivalled grounding in public relations. If you’re a self-starter who’s obsessed with current affairs and loves to collaborate with others, we’d love to hear from you.  

About the Employer

Headland is an award-winning, fast-growing communications consultancy, specialising in Corporate Communications, Financial PR, Public Affairs, Digital, Sustainability and Campaigning. Our clients include TikTok, Pret, Scottish Power, OpenAI, Legal & General. Our clients choose to work with us because we put integrated communications at the heart of everything we do and we’re passionate about delivering the best work for our clients.

We’re just under 200 people strong and are based in The City, right next to St Paul’s Cathedral which makes for a beautiful lunchtime stroll. We’ve collected a healthy number of awards in our time, including PR agency of the year.

We’re passionate about collaboration because we believe it drives the best ideas. Our working culture is centred around the idea that everyone, no matter what their level, has a valuable perspective to bring.

We're looking for apprentices who want to get stuck in from day one and really make a difference to their teams. The role will best suit someone who wants to fast track their career in communications and hit the ground running. It’s a fast-paced environment where you’ll learn quickly and be supported every step of the way.   

What You'll Do

Headland’s PR Apprentice will be required to undertake (but not be restricted to) the following activities as part of their role:

• Writing: Writing for business communications, communicating effectively with PR clients, writing for the media (including articles, news releases, blogs, and case studies)
  Social/digital media: Understanding when and which social media channel is appropriate and how it can be incorporated into a communications campaign. Using social media in a strategic and effective way for companies and brands
• Media liaison: Understanding how the media operates, dealing with day-to-day inquiries from the media, pitching stories and/or products to the media, building relationships with the media (i.e. journalists), creating media lists, monitoring press clippings, sending/receiving press selection products
• Media monitoring: Monitoring the news on a daily basis, flagging relevant articles to internal teams and clients
• Client liaison: Be a key member of the team answering calls from clients when they ring Headland’s switchboard number, and meeting and greeting clients in person when they visit Headland’s office.
• Deliver PR campaigns: Supporting the team in creating new campaigns, working to deliver a strategy for a client or organisation
• Evaluate PR campaigns: Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of PR campaigns and measuring their impact
• Research & data analysis: Conducting research for the team and/or clients and reporting key details
• Presentation: Planning, structuring and delivering presentations internally & externally
• Events: Planning, organising and co-coordinating events, meeting the objectives of the brief
• Budgets: Taking charge of small finance processes related to PR campaigns 

Workload management:

The PR apprentice will also be required to demonstrate workload management by undertaking the following activities.

• Time management: Planning, organising, taking the initiative and prioritising workload to ensure deadlines and objectives for both work activities and apprenticeship training are met. Ensuring email/online diaries are kept up to date
• Meetings: Arranging internal and external meetings, ensuring rooms are suitable and attendees needs are catered for (including teas/coffees/ adequate IT set up for video calls etc.), and ensuring the office is adequately stocked with necessities
• Career development: Taking responsibility for personal learning and professional development 

Working with people:

• The PR apprentice will also be required to demonstrate the following in their ability to work with people
• Professional relationships: Developing professional relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, effective listening and verbal/written communication. Ensuring supervisors and coaches are aware of work-in-progress and are briefed when any problems arise. Working with teams to achieve goals and promote a motivated work environment
• Proactivity:  Working within teams to provide support by proactively taking on tasks, and completing tasks with a positive attitude
• Networking: Building a professional network of other PR professionals whilst maintaining a positive company and personal image 

Training Outcome

• The potential career path of a successful applicant will form part of discussions during the apprenticeship
• For any apprentice that successfully completes their apprenticeship, they will be applicable to apply for the position of Trainee Account Executive

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Genuine interest in PR
• Flexible and eager to learn
• Social Media
• Proactive 'self-starter'
• Creative and curious
• Interest in current affairs
• Ambitious
• Collaborative
• Inventive

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - English Language - 9-4 (A*- C)
• Essential - GCSE - Maths - 9-4 (A*- C)
• Essential - A Level - Minimum of 3 A-levels (ideally including English) - 4 (C) and above

Course Information

Course: Public relations and communications assistant (level 4)

Level: 4

Route: Sales, marketing and procurement

Apprenticeship Level: Higher

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Days to be confirmed between the hours of 8.30am - 5.00pm

Expected Duration: 1 Year 7 Months

Training Provider: PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION LIMITED