Media Relations Specialist in Exeter

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. At Pennon Group, we are proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, we are leading the way in water and renewables. Our goals include lowering our carbon footprint, planting 300,000 trees, restoring peatlands, and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

At Pennon Group, we are committed to building trust, protecting our reputation, and telling our story with clarity and impact. We are looking for a Media Relations Specialist to play a critical role in shaping and safeguarding Pennon's corporate reputation. Working closely with the Lead Media Relations Manager and the Press Office and Incident Media Manager, you will handle reactive media enquiries, develop compelling narratives, and build strong relationships with journalists at both local and national levels. You will also create high-quality, proactive media content that enhances Pennon's reputation and aligns with our strategic objectives and vision.

This is a fast-paced, high-profile role requiring excellent judgement, outstanding communication skills, and a strong understanding of the UK media landscape. The role includes driving to incident locations as required and participating in an on-call rota to respond to incidents outside of normal working hours.

What you will be doing:

• Media engagement and relationship building: Build and maintain trusted relationships with key local and national journalists. Act as a primary point of contact for media enquiries, providing timely, accurate, and confident responses. Position Pennon as a credible, trusted source of expertise and information.
• Content creation and storytelling: Write and edit high-quality press releases, media statements, and briefing materials, supported by engaging multimedia content. Identify and develop compelling stories that reflect Pennon's values and strategic priorities. Translate complex business and technical information into clear, accessible language for diverse audiences.
• Reputation management: Respond proactively to media enquiries, ensuring alignment with Pennon's messaging and tone of voice. Support the ongoing management and protection of Pennon's reputation, particularly in reactive or sensitive situations.
• Collaboration and internal engagement: Work closely with Public Affairs, Customer Service, and other internal teams to ensure consistent and joined-up messaging. Provide expert media advice and guidance to internal stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Crisis communication support: Assist in managing complex or challenging media issues, including during incidents or breaking news. Help develop clear strategies and responses to mitigate reputational risk in high-pressure situations.

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience in media relations, journalism, or corporate communications.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with a strong portfolio of impactful press releases and media materials.
• Demonstrable experience building and maintaining relationships with journalists at local and national levels.
• Ability to perform calmly and effectively under pressure and respond to challenging media enquiries.
• Strong understanding of the UK media landscape across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, or a related discipline.

Desirable:

• Experience within regulated industries such as utilities or other highly regulated sectors.
• Familiarity with media monitoring tools and platforms.

Why Join Us?

• The opportunity to influence real-world policy and public outcomes.
• A supportive and professional Corporate Affairs team.
• Exposure to senior leadership and high-profile external stakeholders.
• A role with purpose, impact, and visibility across the Group.

What’s in it for you:

• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays.
• A discretionary Bonus.
• Competitive Contributory Pension.
• Share-save Scheme.
• Various health benefits.
• Wellbeing support programmes.
• A range of Group Discounts.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.

Closing Date: Monday 9th March 2026. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness. Our core values which are essential to our success are: Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on. Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way. Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.