At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of water in London through impactful communications and media relations.
- Company: Join Thames Water, the UK's largest water and wastewater company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in water sustainability while developing your communication skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in media handling, content creation, and strategic communications.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 £ per year.
Help shape future water for London
Record-breaking temperatures and more frequent droughts are changing the way we think about water.
As the UK adapts to a changing climate, Thames Water is helping ensure millions of people across the South East continue to have a reliable water supply.
We're investing in some of the country's most significant infrastructure projects to support a growing population, protect the environment and secure water supplies for generations to come.
We're looking for a talented communications professional to help tell the story of these nationally significant projects, with a particular focus on the proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) scheme, an important part of London's future drought resilience.
This is a varied and exciting role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
You'll deliver day-to-day media activity, develop compelling digital content, and create communications that bring complex infrastructure projects to life.
You'll help people understand why these projects are needed, showcase the benefits they will deliver, and drive engagement with key audiences throughout the planning process and beyond.
We're looking for a creative and proactive communicator with strong media instincts, excellent storytelling skills and a passion for delivering impactful communications.
If you're looking for an opportunity to apply the full breadth of your communications expertise while working on a project of national significance, alongside a collaborative and supportive team, we'd love to hear from you.
- What you will be doing as a Media and Project Communications Officer
- Media Relations
- Pitching stories to national, regional and trade media to generate positive coverage about our projects.
- Manage day-to-day enquiries from the media relating to our projects, working closely with colleagues in the corporate press office
- Content Development
- Produce clear, accurate and timely project communications materials, including newsletters, briefings, presentations, reports, website updates and social media content.
- Create, manage, and distribute high-quality project communications across multiple channels, including print, website, intranet and social media platforms.
- Campaigns & Events
- Plan and deliver communication campaigns to support project initiatives.
- Manage site visits and project events, including logistics and communications materials.
- Communications Planning and Delivery
- Working closely with the Senior Communications Manager, develop and implement project communication plans aligned with project milestones.
- Develop handling plans for specific project issues.
- Management of project messaging, including narratives, message houses and lines to take.
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Monitor communication channels to ensure project responsiveness, communications impact and messaging relevance.
- Track and evaluate communication activities against agreed objectives and key performance indicators, and make recommendations to drive continuous improvement
These roles will be based across our Reading and London offices.
Regular travel to project sites will be required.
Flexibility to support media relations and events outside normal working hours when necessary.
What you should bring to the role?
- Proven record of media handling and campaign planning.
- Experience of high-quality content development across a range of formats (print, social, web).
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
- Outstanding writing and editing skills.
- Strong strategic communications management.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to work in a fast paced environment.
What’s in it for you?
Join a company where your career can truly thrive, with opportunities to grow, develop and reach your full potential.
There has never been a more exciting time to join Thames Water as we embark on the most significant transformation in our 100-year history.
You’ll become part of a passionate, purpose-driven team committed to securing the UK’s long-term water future, working alongside talented colleagues who share a strong sense of collaboration, ambition and pride in making a meaningful impact.
- Competitive up to £55,000 per annum, depending on your experience.
- Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
- Performance-related pay is directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
- Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
- Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
- Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of your and your family’s health and well-being, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)
Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets.
We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive.
It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
- Learn more about our purpose and values
- Working at Thames Wate r
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same.
As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.
Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.
We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work.
We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process.
If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.
hen a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers.
As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador.
Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience.
It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.
Media and Project Communications Officer employer: Thames Water
Thames Water is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a focus on innovation in wastewater operations, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements, a 36-hour week, and opportunities to mentor colleagues while contributing to impactful projects. The Crossness location provides a unique environment where you can make a meaningful difference in the community and enhance your technical skills in a collaborative setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Media and Project Communications Officer
✨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 Thames Water. 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 Thames Water, 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 Thames Water 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 and Project Communications Officer
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 Thames Water. 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 Thames Water.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨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.