The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is the voice of firefighters in the UK, representing over 33,000 uniformed front line emergency staff of the fire and rescue services. We are the only recognised trade union negotiating nationally for firefighters and emergency fire control staff and are a powerful force for change in the working conditions of our members.
We're seeking a talented and driven individual to produce engaging and impactful FBU content and publications that deliver effective communication and messaging. One of your key responsibilities will be the production of the bi-monthly Firefighter magazine, one of the jewels in our Communications crown.
Your skills and experience will mean you are adept at sourcing and gathering members’ stories and writing other content for use in internal and external communications. You will build and maintain good relationships with freelancers, stakeholders and will develop a consistent an FBU focused editorial voice across all print and internal communications.
With a meticulous eye for detail, you will sub-edit, proofread, and fact-check all content, including from freelancers, to a high standard.
Essential Requirements
- NCTJ accreditation or Graduate with a relevant degree in journalism
- At least three years’ experience working in a journalistic/comms role in a similar stakeholder and/or member focused organisation.
- Well-honed magazine and copywriting skills and experience
- Experience of developing and implementing successful media and/or public relations campaigns
- Good teamwork and organisational skills
- Demonstrable ability in the use of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel to basic level
- Good understanding of front-end website management.
- This role requires excellent written and oral communications, organisational and team working abilities and a flexible approach.
Desirable Requirements
- Design skills and experience with layout using In-Design/Publisher or related software
- Shorthand
- Previous experience being responsible for editing an inhouse, trade or commercial magazine
If you want to make a difference, if you are committed to advancing impactful communications and campaigns in a trade union context, and if you feel aligned to the values, aims and objectives of the FBU, we are interested in hearing from you.
Full details of the role and job requirements are set out in the Job Description.
Benefits include:
Generous annual leave
Additional Christmas office closure period
Final salary pension scheme
Employee assistance programme
Season ticket loan
Annual Christmas bonus
Eyecare claim back scheme
Childcare assistance scheme
Flexible working arrangements
The role is based at the FBU head office in London and flexible working arrangements are in place. There may at times be some travel and working away from home, and the need to occasionally work non-standard hours, as you would expect in a role like this
To apply please send your CV with supporting statement (each to be no more than two sides of A4) setting out how you meet the essential Job Requirements. If your application does not do this, you will not be selected for interview.
Your statement and application should be written by yourself and not with the use of AI – we want to hear from you and not Claude or ChatGPT!
Please send your application to Niki McGrane at [email protected]
Closing date and time: Tuesday 10th November at 5.00pm
Interviews will be a two stage process. The first stage of long-list interviews will take place on Tuesday 17th November 2026, and the final interviews for those short-listed will be held on 20th November 2026.
