UK Media Relations & Reputation Lead in London

The Media Manager supports the delivery of the British Council’s external media and communications strategy across Strategic Business Units (SBUs), promoting and protecting the organisation’s reputation through UK media engagement. The role develops and implements creative PR approaches for broadcast, print, digital and social channels to reach UK audiences and highlight the British Council’s cultural relations work worldwide, with particular focus on our work in the Arts, English and Exams. It also provides global reputation management support and helps embed best practice across the organisation.

Accountabilities:

• The role leads the planning, delivery and evaluation of UK media relations campaigns, helping to shape and protect the British Council’s reputation.
• It identifies media opportunities and risks, manages reactive enquiries, and builds strong relationships with key journalists and influencers.
• Working closely with the Senior Media & External Communications Manager, the role supports integrated corporate communications activity, monitors the news agenda, and ensures colleagues are well‑briefed.
• It maintains core team systems such as participating in an out‑of‑hours duty press officer rota, news alerts and media reporting, while providing professional advice and challenge to internal stakeholders.
• The role applies analytical insight to inform campaigns, translates complex information into compelling media content, and helps improve ways of working within the communications function.
• It supports compliance with media and reputation policies, understands business needs to plan activity effectively, and manages assigned budgets.
• Strong internal and external stakeholder relationships are essential, alongside active engagement with professional networks to bring best practice into the organisation.
• The role coordinates work plans, identifies resourcing needs, and deputises for the Senior Media & External Communications Manager when required.

Requirements of the role:

• Demonstrable experience of proactive media relations, corporate communications and/or content creation to support business objectives.
• Experience of developing relationships with journalists across print, digital and broadcast media, and working with them to deliver impactful coverage.
• Experience of working with communications teams in partner organisations on joint projects to ensure that all partners achieve their communications objectives on a shared project.
• Editorial judgement.
• An ability to identify and give guidance on managing reputational risks.
• Experience of training and guiding senior colleagues and creative specialists on working with the media and interviews.

Closing Date: Applications will close at 23:59 on 31st March 2025 UK Time.

You must have the legal right to work in the listed locations at the time of application.

Contract type: Indefinite

Pay band: 7

Salary: £30,839 (plus London Market Allowance of £3,300 if London based)

Location: UK – (London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast). Occasional travel may be required within UK or internationally.

Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the listed locations at the time of application. Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.

British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service. This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview.