- Day Rate: £550 - £600 LTD Or £387.79 to £464.94 PAYE per day
- Location: Hybrid working arrangement, around 1 day in the office, central hubs are based in Camden Town, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff or Glasgow.
- Job Type: 12-week contract initially, potential for extension.
We are seeking a Media Relations Lead to support our strategic objectives by leading, directing, and coordinating all aspects of media relations, both traditional and digital. This role involves managing the media relations team, developing proactive and reactive media handling strategies, and overseeing the establishment of a social media monitoring and engagement service.
Day to Day of the Role:
- Set the strategic direction for media relations activity, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
- Oversee the social media policy and digital communications strategy, providing expert advice on online engagement.
- Provide strategic and tactical direction to officers and staff, including senior leadership, on media handling.
- Coordinate forcewide media relations campaigns to change behaviour and perceptions, utilising various media channels and evaluating effectiveness.
- Lead a team of communications specialists to deliver timely and accurate public and media information, ensuring compliance with legal constraints.
- Manage the media response to critical and major incidents, identifying risks to public confidence and mitigating against them.
- Build and maintain relationships with key partners and stakeholders, influencing strategic decision-making.
- Represent the organisation at national levels for coordinated media relations activity.
- Write, produce, and update crisis communication plans.
- Manage the out-of-hours media handling service and oversee the social media engagement service.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Educated to degree level in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
- Post-graduate qualification or significant experience in media, marketing, communications, or journalism.
- Proven experience leading communications and media relations specialists.
- Strong background in crisis communications management and media handling during major incidents.
- Exceptional writing and communication skills.
- Experience in developing and delivering effective communication strategies.
- High degree of social media and web literacy.
- Excellent understanding of media law and legal constraints.
- Ability to influence and negotiate, demonstrating credibility at all levels.
- Creative and strategic thinking with a good understanding of current affairs.
To apply for the Media Relations Lead position, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in this role.