At a Glance
- Tasks: Craft compelling media strategies and connect stories with the right journalists.
- Company: Join Hydrogen, a creative division of The PA, known for impactful communication.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 25 days holiday, life assurance, and wellbeing days.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to strengthen media relations and build your network.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping stories that resonate in the media landscape.
- Qualifications: Experience in media relations or journalism with strong writing skills.
The predicted salary is between 33750 - 41250 £ per year.
Hydrogen is the Communications division of The PA. We create high-quality content for the PR and marketing industry, backed by the distribution power of the PA newswire.
Our creative and social teams combine editorial expertise, insight and deep platform knowledge to help organisations connect with their audiences and make an impact.
As part of The PA, we share a wider ambition: to be a beacon of trust for news, content and data.
We believe trusted, effective communication can build greater understanding, connection and influence.
About the role
We're looking for an experienced and well-connected Media Relations Manager to turn great campaign stories into meaningful earned media coverage for Hydrogen Creative.
Sitting at the intersection of editorial judgement and media relations, you'll understand what makes journalists take notice, how to shape a story for different outlets and who to approach to give it the best chance of landing.
You’ll work closely with journalists and editors as well as our editorial, creative and account teams, developing targeted media strategies and building relationships across national, regional, trade, broadcast and digital media.
This is a role for someone who knows the UK media landscape inside out, has strong editorial instincts and gets real satisfaction from finding the right home for a great story.
- What you'll be doing
- Develop and deliver media relations strategies designed to generate meaningful earned coverage.
- Identify the strongest editorial angles within campaign briefs, research, data and creative ideas.
- Shape stories, headlines and pitches so they resonate with the journalists and editors you're targeting.
- Build targeted media lists and outreach plans across national, regional, trade, broadcast and digital media.
- Pitch confidently to journalists, editors, producers and other media contacts.
- Work closely with editorial colleagues to make sure stories are accurate, credible and ready to land.
- Advise clients and account teams on media interest, timing, angles and the best approach to outreach.
- Stay close to the news agenda, spotting opportunities for timely and reactive media activity.
- Build and maintain strong journalist relationships, representing the editorial standards and reputation of The PA.
- Track coverage and journalist feedback, using what you learn to strengthen future campaigns.
What we're looking for
First and foremost, you'll have strong editorial judgement and a proven ability to secure earned media coverage.
You'll understand what makes a story newsworthy, what different journalists and outlets are looking for and how to adapt your approach accordingly.
You'll bring
- Significant experience in media relations, journalism, PR, communications or a newsroom-adjacent role.
- Excellent knowledge of the UK media landscape and how different outlets, journalists and platforms operate.
- A proven track record of securing meaningful earned media coverage.
- An established network of journalist contacts across national, regional, trade, broadcast or digital media.
- Strong writing skills, particularly when it comes to pitches, story summaries and media materials.
- Confidence advising clients, agencies and colleagues on editorial angles and media strategy.
- The ability to work at pace, manage competing priorities and respond quickly when the news agenda changes.
- A collaborative approach, bringing editorial, creative and account colleagues together around the strongest media opportunities.
- Experience working with research, data, consumer insight or campaign content would be an advantage.
- Put your media relationships to work in a different environment - use your contacts, instincts and understanding of the news agenda to deliver standout campaigns for a wide range of brands and organisations.
- Make an impact across Hydrogen - help strengthen our media relations proposition and build our reputation as a trusted source of credible, well-packaged stories.
- Be part of The PA - bring the standards and instincts of a newsroom to ambitious commercial campaigns, backed by more than 150 years of trusted journalism.
- Hybrid, flexible working with a minimum of 3 days a week in our Paddington office.
- 25 days' holiday plus options to purchase more, alongside enhanced family leave.
- Life assurance at 4x salary.
- Wellbeing and volunteering days to support you inside and outside of work.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Media Relations Manager employer: We Are Hydrogen Ltd.
At Hydrogen, part of The PA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Media Relations Manager, you'll benefit from hybrid working arrangements in our vibrant Paddington office, alongside generous holiday allowances and wellbeing initiatives that support both your professional and personal growth. Join us to leverage your media expertise in a dynamic environment where your contributions will directly impact our reputation as a trusted source of credible stories.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Media Relations Manager
✨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 We Are Hydrogen Ltd.. 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 We Are Hydrogen Ltd., 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 We Are Hydrogen Ltd. 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 Manager
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 We Are Hydrogen Ltd.. 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 We Are Hydrogen Ltd..
How to prepare for a job interview at We Are Hydrogen Ltd.
✨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.
