Media Relations Manager
Homebased, with regular UK travel
Full Time, Permanent
Competitive Salary + Benefits
Here at Serco, we are looking for a Media Relations Manager to work with the Media Relations Director on UK and European media handling. You will provide advice and expertise to our UK and European Divisional colleagues to defend, manage and improve our reputation and help raise our profile and positive recognition externally. The UK and European Division provides a wide range of services on behalf of Governments with over 30,000 colleagues, with the mast majority delivering frontline services to the general public across Defence, Transport, Citizen Service, Justice, Immigration and Health.
In this key role, you will build strong relationships with senior leaders in the business units, ensuring you are fully aware of business activity taking place and plan an external communications strategy. As well as, building strong relationships with Government Press Offices, which are key stakeholders in our business.
As part of this you'll:
- Be a focal point for media enquiries for the UK & Europe Division, dealing with them efficiently and effectively and shaping the coverage to position Serco favourably.
- Advise senior leaders on media opportunities and use your judgement to give considered media handling advice on issues that arise.
- Rebut inaccurate or misleading coverage.
- Devise and deliver a proactive media strategy in conjunction with senior leaders that aligns with the Group and Divisional communications strategy.
- Form, maintain and enhance relationships with key external stakeholders and use these relationships to convey key message and improve awareness and perceptions.
- Devise, deliver or source interesting stories and case studies from across the business for use across multiple channels.
- Support communication colleagues as required.
- Evaluate campaigns and media coverage actively and deliver against targets for reach and engagement.
- Be part of the Serco out of hours media relations rota.
What you'll need to do the role:
- Excellent written, copy writing, editing and communication skills.
- Demonstrable experience of handling challenging media enquiries and delivering proactive coverage.
- Adept at stakeholder relationship management up to C Suite with a collaborative approach.
- Able to build strong working relationships and networks across a complex organisation to deliver results.
- Be technically fully competent and independent. Develop and publish communication materials under limited supervision and governance.
- Able to understand our business strategy and how external communications can support it.
- Understanding of the use of social media channels.
- Excellent understanding of current affairs and politics.
What we offer:
- Company car / cash allowance.
- Annual company bonus scheme.
- Private medical insurance.
- A company passionate about diversity and inclusion.
- Growth and development opportunities - Serco will support with a range of qualifications.
- A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Wisdom App, Simply Health Plans and more.
- Access to a huge range of discounts and exclusive deals such as Merlin Attractions, Mobile Phone discounts, Cinema discounts, Leisure, and Hospitality discounts.
- Up to 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase more.
- Life assurance.
All Serco employees must ensure that their current line manager is aware of their application. For confidential enquiries please contact MyHR. Serco are Disability Confident Leader employers and are committed to employing and retaining people with disabilities. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.