Media Relations Manager

Team overview

Ofcom’s mission is to make communications work for everyone. We are looking for an experienced media manager to join our busy media relations team, and to help explain how our work affects people up and down the country.

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. We regulate services from phone and broadband to TV and radio, airwaves and the postal service. And we’ve taken on new duties to make online services safer for everyone. It’s important work on behalf of people across the UK.

In joining our fast-paced, welcoming and expert Communications Department, you’ll see why Ofcom was previously named by PR Week as the UK’s best place for communications professionals to work in-house.

Purpose of the Role

The role will involve communicating some of our most high-profile, wide-ranging work, which makes national news on a daily basis. That might include topics like creating a safer life online for children and adults in the UK; enforcing standards in TV and radio; holding telecoms firms to account; and helping the UK to be at the cutting edge of new technology.

You will need shrewd judgement and initiative to help Ofcom shape and influence opinions in the modern news environment. You’ll be an expert in judging reputational risk, have strong networking skills, and be a consummate multi-tasker - calmly balancing reactive and proactive communications priorities. You’ll also work with our digital news team to bring our story to life for the public, consumer groups, politicians and policy-makers and media.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage the press office function, taking a leading role in responding to enquiries from all sections of the media – often national print, online and broadcast, and also international, regional, specialist and trade

• Build and sustain effective relationships with media and other external stakeholders

• Help to develop and enhance Ofcom's media profile by identifying proactive opportunities and generating positive coverage

• Develop a strong understanding of relevant fields of Ofcom’s work, over time, becoming an expert within the Communications team on specific policy and subject areas

• Manage Ofcom’s external announcements pipeline and weekly reporting on the Communications team’s activity to senior leaders.

Essential Skills, knowledge and experience:

• Excellent understanding of the media and requirements of journalists

• Executing Plans: Proven track record of managing completing priorities in a fast-paced, high-profile press office environment

• Strong appetite for media relations, together with a sharp news sense and the ability to identify positive consumer angles with media appeal

• Building Solutions: Analytical and strategic mindset, able to cut through complex issues to see the wider picture

• Articulating Ideas: Clear, calm communicator. Excellent writing skills, and the ability to convert complex policy into plain English

• Quick learner, flexible and enthusiastic about working across a range of communications issues

• Knowledge of the latest digital communications trends and techniques

• An ability to identify with, and embody, Ofcom's values of excellence, agility, empowerment, collaboration and respect

• Understanding of, or familiarity with, Ofcom’s regulated industries (in particular online safety) would be an advantage.