Senior Media and Campaigns Manager

Job summary

The Senior Media and Campaigns Manager (UK Region) plays a key role in shaping and delivering the British Council’s external communications strategy across the four nations of the UK. Working as part of the Media and External Communications team, the role delivers insight‑driven media relations activity and social media content as part of integrated campaigns that raise awareness of our work and strengthen our reputation. The post holder also provides reputation management advice and supports colleagues working on UK‑focused communications, championing best‑practice approaches to media engagement.

Job description

The role leads the planning, execution and evaluation of proactive UK media relations, ensuring alignment with the wider communications strategy and maintaining the organisation’s reputation across the UK media landscape. It provides expert guidance on reputational opportunities and risks, drives coordinated UK media activity for integrated campaigns, and participates in key team systems such as the 24/7 duty press officer rota, news monitoring and press/social media evaluations. The postholder analyses press and social media insights to inform communications, translates complex information into persuasive media content, and will consider organisational and sector priorities in order to shape effective communication strategies. They work closely with internal stakeholders to anticipate business needs, contribute to digital channel planning, and recommend improvements to enhance operational effectiveness. The role delivers professional advice within the communications function, maintains continuous professional development, and applies commercial discipline through effective budget and financial management. It builds and sustains influential relationships with journalists, peers and internal stakeholders to support joined‑up working and the adoption of best practice.

Person specification

• Degree or professional qualification in communications or demonstrable level of equivalent experience
• Demonstrable experience of working in a media relations or public relations role with a track record of successfully creating, delivering and evaluating media/PR campaigns to support business objectives
• Experience of developing relationships with senior journalists across the UK regions, including in 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.
• A track record of identifying and highlighting reputational risks and successfully mitigating impact.
• Experience of training and guiding senior colleagues on working with the media and giving interviews.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,820, British Council contributes £11,246 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 via this link. Other modes of application will not be reviewed: Careers at British Council , Eightfold

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