Media Manager, Communications

Job summary

We’re looking for a creative and strategic Media Manager to help shape and deliver the British Council’s external media strategy across our Strategic Business Units (SBUs). This role is central to promoting and protecting the British Council’s reputation in the UK media, while showcasing our global cultural relations work.

The Media Manager must take a proactive and creative approach to producing integrated press and digital campaigns, which raise the profile of the British Council and shine a light on different areas of our work. Supported by the Senior Media and External Communications Manager, the Media Manager will also help to deliver external communications for the British Council’s Schools activities, our work in Modern Foreign Languages, as well as our work in English and Exams.

Job description

The Media Manager is responsible for planning and delivering proactive UK media relations campaigns aligned with strategic priorities. They contribute to reputation management across UK and global networks, advise on media risks and opportunities, and support integrated communications planning. The role involves monitoring the UK news agenda, responding to media enquiries, and maintaining relationships with key journalists. It also includes providing expert guidance to internal stakeholders, applying audience insights to campaign planning, and ensuring compliance with media policies. The Media Manager supports strategic development, manages assigned budgets, and fosters collaborative relationships internally and externally. They contribute to team operations, deputise for the Senior Media Manager when required, and engage in continuous professional development to maintain subject expertise.

Person specification

• Demonstrable experience of proactive media relations or content creation to support business objectives
• Experience of developing relationships with high-profile 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 only apply via this link directly to our website: https://careers.britishcouncil.org/careers/job/563705888349746

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

Recruitment team

• Email : askhr@britishcouncil.org