News and Issues Management Lead and News and Media Lead

We are currently looking for a News and Issues Management Lead and News and Media Lead to join our Communications and Engagement Function within the Enablement group. This is a full‑time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. Please note that there might also be a requirement to travel to South Mimms, Herts or other locations as appropriate.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites. We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

Main duties of the job:

• Manage the agency’s profile and reputation on high‑profile, sensitive and day‑to‑day news and issues affecting the organisation and its remit confidently with the media and social media, responding to media enquiries as well as promoting, explaining and justifying its scientific expertise and wider contribution to public health and science nationally and globally.
• Implement and deliver effective news and issues management strategies at pace, developing and nurturing media and social media contacts, responding quickly and accurately to breaking or negative news stories to limit potentially damaging coverage and drive the agency’s reputation, evaluating outcomes and results.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. The MHRA Communications and Engagement Group is a multi‑award‑winning team with a consistent track‑record of achievement and providing value for money. Our focus is to support the agency to deliver its business outcomes by putting patients and the public at the centre of all our work.

Key responsibilities and results areas:

• Proactively and creatively initiate, lead, develop, implement and evaluate news and issues management strategies that support the business priorities and culture change set out in the agency’s business and corporate plans and play an active part in the communications account management work.
• Anticipate the emerging news agenda and lead on high‑profile and sensitive media issues to manage the agency and respond quickly and accurately to breaking or negative stories to limit potentially damaging media and social media coverage.
• Write, edit and publish content to style for our websites, using a content management system.
• Produce and oversee high‑quality handling plans that include reactive lines to take, press releases, potential risks, core scripts, briefings and Q&As and consider the use of shareable social media content, ensuring work aligns and integrates with strategic communications priorities and narratives.
• Develop, build and nurture professional relationships with journalists and social media influencers based on honesty, authority and credibility and stay up to date on media/social media trends.
• Work closely with others in the Communications and Engagement group and with senior managers across the agency to advise on media handling and to develop appropriate plans.
• Act as an agency spokesperson, displaying authoritative, clear and sensitive briefing to the media on agency issues.
• Participate in a 24‑hour media on‑call rota.

A recognised communications qualification is desirable. The job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the postholder.

Person Specification:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills both written and oral, with the ability to develop good working relationships and influence journalists, social media influencers and senior managers, dealing with conflict and challenge in a calm, measured way.
• Excellent planning, project and time management skills, with ability to work on own initiative and in a team to problem solve and prioritise own work according to changing business needs.
• Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of working in a busy press office or media relations role in a large, complex, expert organisation, and leading on the response to fast-breaking, high‑profile news stories, to deliver business objectives and enhance reputation.
• Experience of evaluating traditional media content and social media to assess performance and inform business decisions.
• Excellent written, editorial, social media engagement and oral communications skills with a strong, proven understanding of what makes a good news story and interesting, accessible content.

Agency Values:

• We focus on patients and public health.
• We work together with respect.
• We take responsibility and are accountable.
• We create an environment where learning and innovation thrive.

The Civil Service Code:

These core values support good government and ensure the achievement of the highest possible standards in all that the Civil Service does.