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- Tasks: Lead Tesco's media relations, ensuring accurate information and building trust with journalists.
- Company: Tesco is a dynamic retail giant, blending supermarket, technology, and mobile services.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, an annual bonus, private medical insurance, and generous holiday leave.
- Why this job: Join a high-performing team in a fast-paced environment, making a real impact on reputation.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications for consumer-facing organisations and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: We support diverse applicants and offer a fully inclusive recruitment process.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are on the look out for a Head of Media Relations to join our Press team with Group Communications. The right person will be running a high performance, dynamic and helpful press office ensuring the information about Tesco in the media is accurate, building trust with journalists and mitigating reputational risk through effective issue management.
About the role
You will be responsible for:
- Supporting Tesco's media relations strategy to support key communications pillars and over-arching trust-building campaign in tandem with the Lead Consumer PR Manager.
- Developing and refining tone of voice and consistency of message across all comms with media.
- Working closely with the Media Relations Director to provide senior leadership and Executive teams with guidance and counsel on reputational issues and business activity.
- Reviewing communications output across multiple business areas including Marketing and Customer Relations to ensure consistency of messaging and avoid risk to reputation.
- Running a high performance, dynamic and helpful press office, often described as the busiest in the UK, outside government.
- Identifying opportunities for proactive media engagement and story development to secure coverage in print, online and broadcast media.
- Leveraging internal relationships and keeping a close eye on the news agenda to tell the best and most relevant stories at the right time.
- Managing the handling of high-profile and complex media enquiries and ensuring accurate, rapid and well-crafted responses as well as proactively challenging and rebutting inaccurate reporting and spiking stories before they make it into public domain.
- Work closely with the Head of Corporate Comms to ensure there is an up to date and effective Crisis Communications Plan and supporting with training Comms Team and Leadership in crisis preparedness/handling.
- Working collaboratively to ensure internal stakeholders (including Operations, Legal and Investor Relations) are engaged on media opportunities, issues and risks and ensuring excellent information flow internally, even when things move at pace.
- Building strong relationships with journalists and media outlets and leveraging those relationships to help steer media landscape on key issues.
- Reviewing comms issued by subsidiaries including Tesco Mobile, IMS, Booker, One Stop and Tesco businesses in Central Europe and providing guidance and counsel on reputational issues and business activity and land positive coverage.
- Recruiting, developing and leading a high-performing team, giving them opportunities to be their best.
- Overseeing the monitoring and analysis of output and continuously evaluating performance and process to ensure that the team is as effective and efficient as possible.
You will need
- Highly experienced professional with experience leading communications for consumer facing/high profile organisations.
- Confident decision maker with sound judgement who is accustomed to functioning in high-pressure, deadline-led environments.
- Strategic thinker with excellent project and stakeholder management skills with a focus on consistency and quality in communications.
- Expertise in handling high-profile issues and crises in complex, fast-moving, regulated and politicised industries to prevent or mitigate the impact of negative stories on reputation.
- Adept at managing in house teams and agency partners to land meaningful and effective coverage across a spectrum of media including news outlets, broadcast and trade press.
- Accomplished people manager who loves developing and leading a high performing team.
- Exceptional writing skills and attention to detail.
- Well formed knowledge and understanding of the UK media landscape.
- Project management and budget control.
- Stakeholder management and engagement skills.
What’s in it for you?
We’re all about the little helps. That’s why we make sure our Tesco colleague benefits package takes care of you – both in and out of work.
- Annual bonus scheme of up to 45% of base salary
- Car Cash Allowance
- Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays)
- Private medical insurance
- Retirement savings plan - save between 6% - 10% and Tesco will contribute 1.5 times this amount
- 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (after 1 years’ service) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay, we also offer 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave
About Us
You might know us as a supermarket, technology company or even for our award-winning mobile network. Truth is, we’re all of those things, and much more. Our colleagues work with one goal in mind, helping to make every day a little better for our customers, colleagues and communities all over the world. No two customers are the same, neither are our colleagues. At Tesco, we champion a balance that lets you thrive both in and out of work. Spend 60% of your week collaborating with colleagues at our office locations or local sites and the rest remotely. Whether you’re just kicking off your career, juggling passions, or navigating big life events, we’re here to support you. We always welcome a conversation about flexible working, so talk to us throughout your application about how we can support. We’re proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Leader, where everyone’s welcome. That’s why we commit to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need support with your application, click here for more information. And if you’re interested in joining our team but don’t tick every box, don’t let that hold you back from applying.
Head of Media Relations - Press employer: Tesco
Contact Detail:
Tesco Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Media Relations - Press
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Tesco's current media presence and recent press releases. Understanding their tone of voice and key messages will help you align your approach when engaging with journalists and stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the public relations field, especially those who have experience in consumer-facing organisations. Building relationships with industry peers can provide valuable insights and potential referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest trends and challenges in the UK media landscape. Being knowledgeable about current events and media dynamics will position you as a strategic thinker during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed high-pressure media situations in the past. Highlighting your crisis management skills will demonstrate your capability to handle the demands of this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Media Relations - Press
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in media relations, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to handle high-pressure situations and lead a team effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for media relations and how your skills align with Tesco's values. Mention your understanding of the UK media landscape and provide examples of how you've successfully built relationships with journalists.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since exceptional writing skills are crucial for this role, consider including a portfolio or links to previous press releases, articles, or communications you've crafted. This will give the hiring team a clear view of your writing style and attention to detail.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Emphasise your experience in managing teams and developing talent. Provide examples of how you've led a high-performing team in a fast-paced environment, focusing on your approach to mentoring and fostering collaboration.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tesco
✨Know Your Media Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the UK media landscape, including key journalists and outlets relevant to Tesco. Understanding who covers what will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Crisis Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed high-profile issues or crises in the past. Be ready to discuss your approach to mitigating reputational risks and how you would apply that experience at Tesco.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
As a Head of Media Relations, you'll be leading a team. Share specific instances where you've developed and led high-performing teams, highlighting your people management skills and how you foster collaboration.
✨Align with Tesco's Values
Research Tesco's core values and recent initiatives. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of building trust and enhancing customer experience.
