Closing: 12:00PM, Wednesday 22 July 2026

Salary: £36,000 - £42,000 (depending on experience)

Contract: Full-time 

Location: Parliament Buildings / Remote / Travel as required

This is an exciting time to be part of the SDLP. With real momentum building and a defining set of elections ahead, the party is seeking a driven Communications Manager to join the team at Stormont and help shape how we're heard, seen, and understood right across Northern Ireland. 

This role offers a chance to make a genuine contribution to a party with real purpose and ambition. You'll be at the centre of the action, working in a fast-paced political environment that demands sharp political awareness, professionalism, and media relations skills. 

You will work with the central team, developing and issuing press statements for representatives, building strong relationships with journalists and media outlets, and delivering strategic communications that profile SDLP representatives and communicate the party's core messages. 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and issue press statements and releases to the media on behalf of the party and its representatives.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with journalists, editors, and media outlets.
• Plans content and manages the SDLP communications grid, working in conjunction with Head of Social Media and Communications and Policy Assistant.  
• Deliver strategic communications, including identifying and securing opportunities to profile SDLP representatives in the media.
• Communicate the SDLP's core messages consistently and effectively across all media engagement.
• Prepare and support elected representatives ahead of media appearances, including interview briefings and lines to take.
• Monitor media and political developments, anticipate challenges, and provide proactive advice to representatives and the wider team.
• Manage day-to-day media enquiries, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
• Compile briefing packs, including media briefings, and assist with speechwriting.
• Contribute to the development of campaigns to promote policy proposals and party priorities. 
  Work flexibly, including regular out-of-hours support for media and events as required. 

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate, by the closing date, that they possess:

• At least three years' experience in journalism or in a role working directly with the media.
• Proven experience developing and issuing press statements and releases to media outlets.
• Experience delivering strategic communications, including identifying opportunities to profile representatives or spokespeople in the media.
• Strong writing skills, with the ability to communicate core messages clearly, accurately, and persuasively under time pressure.
• Experience in crisis communications and reputation management.  
• Established contacts and credibility with journalists and media outlets.
• A strong understanding of the Northern Ireland and wider media landscape, including print, broadcast, and online.
• The ability to work flexibly, including regular out-of-hours availability to respond to breaking news and media demands.
• A strong understanding of current affairs and the political environment in Northern Ireland, and a strong awareness of the SDLP's policies and values. 

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working in-house in a political party, public affairs, or campaigning organisation.
• Experience preparing briefing materials and lines to take for spokespeople or elected representatives.
• Experience using social media platforms to support media and communications activity. 

Education & Previous Roles 

Applicants must hold a degree-level qualification, or have a minimum of five years' relevant experience in place of a degree. This experience should be in journalism, media relations, press or communications work, or a closely related field. 

Relevant previous roles may include: 

• Broadcast, print, or online journalism.
• Press or communications officer roles, in-house or agency side.
• Political or public affairs roles, including work with elected representatives or campaigning organisations. 
  Media relations or public relations roles involving direct engagement with journalists. 

The SDLP is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups.

How to apply

Please find the Application Form here.

To apply, please complete and return the Application Form to [email protected] by 12:00pm on Wednesday 22 July 2026, with the subject line 'Communications Manager Job Application'.

Interviews will take place during the week commencing Monday 27 July.