News and Media Lead - Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited : Job Details

About Us:Our team is renowned for its consistent track record of achievement and value for money. We support the Agency in delivering its business outcomes through our dedicated teams: News & Media, Communications, Patient and Public Stakeholder Engagement, and Customer Experience. This role is part of our News and Media team.Role Purpose:As the News and Media Lead, you will:

• Manage the Agency's profile and reputation on high-profile, sensitive, and day-to-day news and issues.
• Confidently engage with media and social media, responding to enquiries and promoting the Agency's scientific expertise and contributions to public health and science.
• Implement and deliver effective news and issues management strategies, nurturing media and social media contacts, and responding swiftly to breaking or negative news stories.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead news and issues management strategies aligned with the Agency's corporate and business plan.
• Handle high-profile and sensitive media issues, responding quickly to limit potentially damaging coverage.
• Produce high-quality handling plans, including reactive lines, press notices, core scripts, and Q&As.
• Build and nurture professional relationships with journalists and social media influencers.
• Act as an Agency spokesperson, providing clear and sensitive briefings to the media.
• Participate in a 24-hour media on-call rota.

What We're Looking For:

• Extensive experience in a busy media and communications environment within a large, complex organisation.
• Proven ability to lead responses to fast-breaking, high-profile news stories.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and oral.
• The ability to develop strong working relationships and influence key stakeholders.
• Public sector experience

Join Us:If you have a passion for media and communications and are ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role, we want to hear from you. Apply now to be part of our dedicated team and make a difference in public health and science.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk