External Communications Manager

Page Personnel; Ledston; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Page Personnel is recruiting an External Communications Manager for an interim, 6-month role based in Leeds, England. The role focuses on leading external communications strategies, media relations, and content across multiple channels to enhance reputation and trust.

The successful applicant will manage press office activity, support high-profile issues, and drive integrated campaigns with cross-functional teams. Daily rate ranges from £280 to £310 on a Leeds-based assignment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in external/corporate communications or media relations.
• Experience in busy press office environments.
• Ability to translate technical subjects into audience-friendly content.
• Proven track record in reputation management and high-profile issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of external communications strategies.
• Create content across channels: media relations, articles, case studies, leadership comms, digital content, social media.
• Identify compelling stories from across the organisation for clear messaging.
• Manage press office activities and media inquiries; secure positive opportunities.
• Advise on reputation management for high-profile issues; support crisis communications.
• Lead communications during incidents and crises with accurate, timely messaging.
• Plan and deliver integrated campaigns with cross-functional teams.
• Use audience insight and data to evaluate activity and inform strategy.

Skills

External communications

Media relations

Crisis communications

Stakeholder engagement

Content development

Job description

• Exciting interim opportunity based in Leeds
• 6 month contract

About Our Client

Our client is a large, purpose-driven organisation with a strong regional and national presence based in Leeds. They play a vital role in supporting communities, customers and key infrastructure, and are committed to delivering trusted services, driving innovation and maintaining a positive reputation through effective stakeholder engagement and storytelling.

Job Description

• Lead the development and delivery of external communications strategies that enhance reputation and build trust with key audiences.
• Create engaging content across multiple channels, including media relations, articles, case studies, leadership communications, digital content and social media.
• Identify and develop compelling stories from across the organisation, turning complex subjects into clear and accessible communications.
• Manage press office activity, responding to media enquiries and proactively securing positive media opportunities.
• Support reputation management initiatives, providing communications advice on high-profile, sensitive and business-critical issues.
• Lead and support communications activity during incidents and crisis situations, ensuring accurate, timely and consistent messaging.
• Plan and deliver integrated communications campaigns, working closely with colleagues across marketing, digital, stakeholder engagement and leadership teams.
• Use audience insight, media monitoring and performance data to evaluate communications activity and inform future strategy.

The Successful Applicant

A successful External Communications Manager should have:

• Significant experience within external communications, corporate communications, media relations, journalism or a related field.
• Proven experience working within or closely alongside a busy press office environment.
• Strong background in reputation management and handling sensitive or high-profile communications issues.
• Experience delivering communications support during incidents, crisis situations or periods of heightened scrutiny.
• Ability to translate complex technical or operational information into engaging and audience-focused content.
• Demonstrable success delivering integrated communications campaigns and measuring impact.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders.
• Highly organised, collaborative and resilient, with strong judgement and the ability to perform effectively under pressure.

What's on Offer

• Daily rate: £280 - £310, dependent on the level of experience.
• Temporary position based in Leeds.

External Communications Manager Leeds, England