At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead PR efforts, manage media relations, and craft compelling stories.
- Company: Join Connexus, a rural housing association dedicated to community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, training opportunities, and a competitive salary.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference through storytelling and media engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in PR or communications with strong writing skills.
Hybrid - Craven Arms
Up to £33,487 per annum
At Connexus, we're committed to creating great places to live and work. As our new PR and Media Lead, you will play a key role in supporting strong media relations and shaping how we tell our story to external audiences. This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional who is passionate about PR, storytelling and building strong relationships. You’ll lead proactive and reactive media activity, support organisational priorities and help strengthen our reputation.
Key responsibilities include:
- Handling press enquiries and acting as day-to-day media contact
- Building relationships with local, regional and sector media
- Developing press releases, case studies and success stories
- Supporting PR for key projects and corporate initiatives
- Monitoring media coverage and providing insight and analysis
- Preparing briefings and key messages for spokespeople
About you
We’re looking for someone who can deliver high-quality communications and build strong external relationships. You will have:
- Experience in PR, media relations or communications
- Excellent writing and storytelling skills
- Strong media handling and stakeholder management skills
- The ability to manage competing priorities and work under pressure
- A proactive and creative approach, using insight to drive improvement
Qualifications
- Degree in communications, marketing, journalism or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Professional qualification or membership (e.g. CIPR/CIM) desirable but not essential
If you’re passionate about media, storytelling and making an impact, we’d love to hear from you. This role is based in Craven Arms with a mix of office, remote working and travel as required.
About Connexus
Connexus is a rural housing association with its heritage in Shropshire and Herefordshire, providing good quality, affordable and safe homes that customers are proud to live in. We create inclusive neighbourhoods, sustainable rural communities, and provide services that support our customers to build a life in their home. The work our teams do is varied, and no two days are the same.
We provide an excellent offer for colleagues which includes flexible working options combined with some fantastic benefits. We’re here to support colleagues at every step of the way with training and development opportunities, helping you make the most of your career. If you want to work with like-minded people and would like to make a difference to the lives of our customers, Connexus could be the right fit for you.
Connexus is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and is keen to address areas of under representation in its workforce, this is because we really understand the importance of different voices, experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds within our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups.
PR and Media Lead in Craven Arms employer: Iris Recruitment
Friends of the Elderly is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can truly make a difference in the lives of older people. Located in the vibrant community of Calcot, our care home provides not only competitive pay and generous benefits but also ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that prioritises compassion and quality care, while enjoying a range of perks including wellbeing support, learning opportunities, and a strong sense of community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PR and Media Lead in Craven Arms
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like Iris Recruitment. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like Iris Recruitment, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research Iris Recruitment inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace PR and Media Lead in Craven Arms
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Iris Recruitment. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Iris Recruitment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Iris Recruitment
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
