Media Specialist, PR

You are able to create strong, lasting relationships to ensure needs and goals are met. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Media Lead to spearhead our earned and owned media strategy and operations within a fast-paced communications agency. This role is pivotal in leading our media relations efforts, ensuring that our clients' messages are strategically positioned and effectively communicated across consumer, health, medical, and trade publications.

The Media Lead will be responsible for developing high-impact media campaigns, maintaining strong relationships with key journalists, and providing strategic counsel to clients. Additionally, this role will play a crucial part in training internal teams, establishing best practices, and contributing to the overall growth and positioning of the agency as a leading PR and External Affairs consultancy.

• Creating and Sustaining Great Client Relationships: Oversee and manage media strategies to align with client objectives; foster strong relationships with journalists and media outlets at a global, regional, and local level; act as the senior media relations counsel for clients, offering strategic advice on media relations, reputation management, and crisis communications; proactively identify and pitch high-impact media opportunities to secure coverage in top-tier publications; develop thought leadership strategies that elevate client visibility within their industry; troubleshoot, pre-empt, and address potential media-related challenges for clients.
• Ownership & Accountability: Lead and oversee earned media initiatives for multiple client accounts, ensuring alignment with business objectives; assume responsibility for the delivery of high-quality earned media work that meets or exceeds client expectations; develop and implement media training programs for both clients and internal teams; monitor industry trends, competitor activities, and media landscapes to continuously refine strategies; take the lead on media planning for client proposals and annual communications planning; ensure all client activity is aligned with SMART objectives and demonstrates a strong return on investment (ROI).
• Enterprise Mindset & Business Growth: Drive the agency's vision of becoming the leading PR and External Affairs consultancy by enhancing media relations services; play an active role in new business development, contributing earned media strategies to pitches and proposals; support organic growth initiatives by identifying media opportunities that align with broader business objectives; ensure strong financial and operational management of media-related activities, including budget oversight and risk mitigation; represent the agency externally, strengthening its reputation and presence within the communications industry.
• Developing and Nurturing Teams: Provide mentorship and leadership to the earned media team, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence; lead by example, sharing insights and expertise in earned media strategies; support the professional development of team members, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge to excel; create high levels of proactivity among teams, ensuring earned media efforts integrate seamlessly with broader communications programs.
• Personal Growth Mindset: Leverage personal brand and expertise to position the agency as a thought leader in media relations; proactively build networks with communications colleagues both internally and externally; continue personal and professional development in the ever-evolving media landscape; play a key role in succession planning and leadership development within the agency.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field. Advanced degrees are a plus.
• 6+ years of experience in driving media initiatives and programmes, with a proven track record of securing media coverage.
• Extensive network of UK/global journalist contacts across consumer, health, medical, and trade publications.
• Strong understanding of the healthcare industry, including regulatory and media landscape knowledge (e.g., ABPI code).
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Proven experience in managing teams and training professionals in media relations best practices.
• Strategic thinker with a creative and results-driven mindset.
• Proficiency in media monitoring and analysis tools.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.

• Business Objectives: Achieve a measurable increase in media-driven client acquisition; play a key role in securing new business through earned media strategies; expand and enhance earned media services within existing client accounts.
• Personal Objectives: Establish a strong internal and external presence as a media expert; foster a proactive and collaborative earned media culture within the agency; strengthen networks across communications teams in both European and U.S. markets; define and achieve personal development goals aligned with leadership aspirations.

This Media Lead role presents an exciting opportunity to drive impactful earned media strategies, build a high-performing team, and contribute to the agency's continued success.

At Syneos Health, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. At times, we will consider transferable skills from previous roles. We also encourage you to join our Talent Network to stay connected to additional career opportunities.

At Syneos Health Public Relations, the possibilities are infinite. Because of our “no walls, no limits” philosophy and entrepreneurial spirit, our employees have the opportunity and potential to work on projects beyond their years of experience. The only limitations here are those that are self-imposed, and we make sure to reward staff based on talent, not title.

Work Here Matters Everywhere | How are you inspired to change lives?