Media Relations Manager

Hydrogen is the Communications division of The PA. We create high-quality content for the PR and marketing industry, backed by the distribution power of the PA newswire.

Our creative and social teams combine editorial expertise, insight and deep platform knowledge to help organisations connect with their audiences and make an impact.

As part of The PA, we share a wider ambition: to be a beacon of trust for news, content and data. We believe trusted, effective communication can build greater understanding, connection and influence.

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced and well-connected Media Relations Manager to turn great campaign stories into meaningful earned media coverage for Hydrogen Creates.

Sitting at the intersection of editorial judgement and media relations, you’ll understand what makes journalists take notice, how to shape a story for different outlets and who to approach to give it the best chance of landing.

You’ll work closely with journalists and editors as well as our editorial, creative and account teams, developing targeted media strategies and building relationships across national, regional, trade, broadcast and digital media.

This is a role for someone who knows the UK media landscape inside out, has strong editorial instincts and gets real satisfaction from finding the right home for a great story.

What you’ll be doing

• Develop and deliver media relations strategies designed to generate meaningful earned coverage.
• Identify the strongest editorial angles within campaign briefs, research, data and creative ideas.
• Shape stories, headlines and pitches so they resonate with the journalists and editors you’re targeting.
• Build targeted media lists and outreach plans across national, regional, trade, broadcast and digital media.
• Pitch confidently to journalists, editors, producers and other media contacts.
• Work closely with editorial colleagues to make sure stories are accurate, credible and ready to land.
• Advise clients and account teams on media interest, timing, angles and the best approach to outreach.
• Stay close to the news agenda, spotting opportunities for timely and reactive media activity.
• Build and maintain strong journalist relationships, representing the editorial standards and reputation of The PA.
• Track coverage and journalist feedback, using what you learn to strengthen future campaigns.

What we’re looking for

First and foremost, you’ll have strong editorial judgement and a proven ability to secure earned media coverage. You’ll understand what makes a story newsworthy, what different journalists and outlets are looking for and how to adapt your approach accordingly.

You’ll bring:

• Significant experience in media relations, journalism, PR, communications or a newsroom-adjacent role.
• Excellent knowledge of the UK media landscape and how different outlets, journalists and platforms operate.
• A proven track record of securing meaningful earned media coverage.
• An established network of journalist contacts across national, regional, trade, broadcast or digital media.
• Strong writing skills, particularly when it comes to pitches, story summaries and media materials.
• Confidence advising clients, agencies and colleagues on editorial angles and media strategy.
• The ability to work at pace, manage competing priorities and respond quickly when the news agenda changes.
• A collaborative approach, bringing editorial, creative and account colleagues together around the strongest media opportunities.
• Experience working with research, data, consumer insight or campaign content would be an advantage.
• Put your media relationships to work in a different environment – use your contacts, instincts and understanding of the news agenda to deliver standout campaigns for a wide range of brands and organisations.
• Make an impact across Hydrogen – help strengthen our media relations proposition and build our reputation as a trusted source of credible, well-packaged stories.
• Be part of The PA – bring the standards and instincts of a newsroom to ambitious commercial campaigns, backed by more than 150 years of trusted journalism.
• Hybrid, flexible working with a minimum of 3 days a week in our Paddington office.
• 25 days’ holiday plus options to purchase more, alongside enhanced family leave.
• Life assurance at 4x salary.
• Wellbeing and volunteering days to support you inside and outside of work.

Hydrogen

We build trust in news, data and content. For more than 150 years, we’ve been at the forefront of media innovation, delivering compelling content and essential services in a fast-evolving media landscape. As a diverse portfolio of specialist media companies, including PA Media, the national news agency for the UK and Ireland, we provide organisations across media, sport, corporate, betting and public sectors with content, products and services that inform and engage their audiences.

Hydrogen's team of 30+ specialists live and breathesocial media: what we don't know about the platforms isn't worth knowing. That's why we've been named best small agency of the year at industry awards. With over 100 years combined experience in social, Hydrogen has experience across all sectors: including finance, travel and leisure, charity, FMCG and automotive.

While we all love social media, everyone in the team has a different expertise, from illustrations to insights, strategy to social ads and we love it when exciting new talent joins our team.

Our values shape how we work and succeed together. We are ambitious, driven to make a meaningful impact and empowered to pursue excellence in everything we do. Through innovation, we challenge the status quo with curiosity and creativity, continually pushing boundaries. Integrity underpins our actions, ensuring we are fair, trustworthy and accountable in all our interactions. Above all, we believe in collaboration—working together with openness, respect and diverse perspectives to achieve shared success.

PA Media Group is committed to widening access to careers in journalism, media and technology. Through partnerships and initiatives such as our new collaboration with Media Trust, colleagues can support charities across the UK through skills-based volunteering.

We also support programmes including the Racing Media Academy, Women in Tech initiatives and the Journalism Diversity Fund, helping talented people from under-represented backgrounds gain valuable experience and build sustainable careers in media.

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