At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with media, create compelling content, and manage Pennon's reputation.
- Company: Join Pennon Group, a leader in water and renewables, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, competitive pension, health benefits, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public policy and corporate reputation in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in media relations or journalism, with strong writing and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
At Pennon Group, we are committed to building trust, protecting our reputation and telling our story with clarity and impact. We’re 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’ll handle reactive media enquiries, develop compelling narratives and build strong relationships with journalists at both local and national level. You’ll also create high-quality, proactive media content - supported by photography and video - 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’ll 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’re looking for
Essential experience and skills
- 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 level.
- 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.
Media Relations Specialist in Plymouth employer: Pennon Water Services
At Pennon Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions environmental sustainability while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. As a Media Relations Specialist, you'll have the opportunity to influence public policy and engage with senior leadership, all while enjoying generous benefits such as a competitive pension scheme, wellbeing support, and a commitment to your professional growth. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the water sector and shaping a greener future for our communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Media Relations Specialist in Plymouth
✨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 Pennon Water Services. 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 Pennon Water Services, 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 Pennon Water Services 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 Media Relations Specialist in Plymouth
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 Pennon Water Services. 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 Pennon Water Services.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pennon Water Services
✨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.
