Media Manager

Job summary

The Media Manager supports the delivery of the British Council’s external media and communications strategy across Strategic Business Units (SBUs), promoting and protecting the organisation’s reputation through UK media engagement. The role develops and implements creative PR approaches for broadcast, print, digital and social channels to reach UK audiences and highlight the British Council’s cultural relations work worldwide, with particular focus on our work in the Arts, English and Exams. It also provides global reputation management support and helps embed best practice across the organisation.

Job description

The role leads the planning, delivery and evaluation of UK media relations campaigns, helping to shape and protect the British Council’s reputation. It identifies media opportunities and risks, manages reactive enquiries, and builds strong relationships with key journalists and influencers. Working closely with the Senior Media & External Communications Manager, the role supports integrated corporate communications activity, monitors the news agenda, and ensures colleagues are well‑briefed.

It also maintains core team systems such as participating in an out‑of‑hours duty press officer rota, news alerts and media reporting, while providing professional advice and challenge to internal stakeholders. The role applies analytical insight to inform campaigns, translates complex information into compelling media content, and helps improve ways of working within the communications function. It supports compliance with media and reputation policies, understands business needs to plan activity effectively, and manages assigned budgets.

Strong internal and external stakeholder relationships are essential, alongside active engagement with professional networks to bring best practice into the organisation. The role coordinates work plans, identifies resourcing needs, and deputises for the Senior Media & External Communications Manager when required.

Person specification

• Demonstrable experience of proactive media relations, corporate communications and/or content creation to support business objectives
• Experience of developing relationships with journalists across print, digital and broadcast media, and working with them to deliver impactful coverage.
• Experience of working with communications teams in partner organisations on joint projects to ensure that all partners achieve their communications objectives on a shared project.
• Editorial judgement
• An ability to identify and give guidance on managing reputational risks
• Experience of training and guiding senior colleagues and creative specialists on working with the media and interviews

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,839, British Council contributes £8,934 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays

• 3 days volunteering leave

• Career average defined benefit pension scheme

• An unrivalled opportunity for you to get to use all the experience you’ve built up working in and/or leading global organisations to support us in building trust across the world.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Please apply on our website via this link: https://careers.britishcouncil.org/careers/job/563705890682146

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : ASKHR
• Email : askhr@britishcouncil.org

Recruitment team

• Email : askhr@britishcouncil.org