Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead media relations and coordinate press office operations for a vital government department.
- Company: Join the Defra group, making a real impact on environmental and food security policies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and the chance to shape public narratives.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for creativity and collaboration across various communications disciplines.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of communications in a role that influences national policy and public perception.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in media relations and strategic communications, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are looking for an ambitious and talented individual to join our busy team at the heart of government. This is a senior leadership role within the Defra group, with the responsibility to coordinate the press office response for the department and its Arm's Length Bodies (ALBs), providing strategic advice to senior leaders on reputational risk, and driving a proactive storytelling agenda across multiple news channels.
Defra leads on some of the most important policy areas in government - from the environment and food security to animal health and flood resilience - making this a rare opportunity for a senior communications professional seeking a role with genuine breadth, impact and visibility.
This is a senior and wide-ranging leadership role, sitting at the centre of the Defra group Communications team and playing a critical part in how the department manages its reputation and tells its story to the public. The Head of Media Relations will take day-to-day responsibility for leading press office operations across the Defra group, coordinating media response for the department and its operational Arm's Length Bodies, including the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Forestry Commission, the Rural Payments Agency and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
The postholder will provide confident, expert media advice to senior leaders, Ministers, Special Advisers and ALBs, helping them navigate complex and fast-moving news stories while identifying opportunities to generate positive coverage. The postholder will be expected to champion a culture of creativity, collaboration and proactivity across the team.
They will work seamlessly across communications disciplines, including digital, strategic communications and stakeholder engagement, to deliver joined-up, high-impact communications that advance Defra's priorities. A significant part of the role involves leading on crisis and incident response communications. This includes developing and maintaining robust communications contingency plans, coordinating a rapid and effective press office response during live incidents, ensuring accurate and timely information reaches the public and key stakeholders, and working closely with partners across the Defra group and wider government.
The postholder will be expected to provide out-of-hours cover during critical situations and to lead the communications function calmly and decisively under pressure. Given the breadth of Defra's remit, spanning the environment, food security, animal health, flood resilience and more, the postholder will need to be comfortable managing multiple priorities at pace, balancing reactive pressures against longer-term strategic goals.
Head of Media Relations employer: Government Recruitment Service
Contact Detail:
Government Recruitment Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Media Relations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks for a chat. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or colleagues, be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role of Head of Media Relations. Bring examples of your work that demonstrate your strategic thinking and creativity.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Defra, and express your interest in working with them. A well-timed email can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your online presence sharp! Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and reflects your expertise in media relations. Share articles, engage with content related to government communications, and showcase your knowledge to attract attention from recruiters.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Media Relations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Media Relations role. Highlight your experience in media relations, crisis communications, and strategic advice, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Defra!
Showcase Your Storytelling Skills: Since this role involves driving a proactive storytelling agenda, include examples of how you've successfully crafted narratives in previous roles. We love seeing creativity and impact in your writing, so don’t hold back on showcasing your best work!
Demonstrate Leadership Experience: As a senior leadership position, it’s crucial to highlight your experience in leading teams and managing high-pressure situations. Share specific instances where you’ve guided a team through a crisis or developed effective communication strategies. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead us!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Recruitment Service
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in Defra's key policy areas like the environment, food security, and animal health. Brush up on recent news stories related to these topics, as they might come up during your interview. Showing that you understand the current landscape will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior role, they’ll be looking for strong leadership qualities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, especially in high-pressure situations. Highlight your ability to foster creativity and collaboration within a team.
✨Prepare for Crisis Scenarios
Given the focus on crisis communications, think about potential scenarios that could arise in this role. Be ready to discuss how you would handle a media crisis, including your approach to developing contingency plans and ensuring timely information dissemination.
✨Engage with Their Storytelling Agenda
Familiarise yourself with Defra’s current storytelling initiatives and think about how you can contribute. Bring ideas to the table on how to enhance their media presence across various channels. This shows your proactive mindset and genuine interest in the role.