External Communications Manager

Confidential; Leeds; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

Confidential in Leeds seeks an experienced communications professional to lead external communications, media relations and reputation management. You will develop compelling stories, coordinate integrated campaigns and provide strategic advice to senior stakeholders while safeguarding organisational reputation.

You will identify impactful narratives, manage the press office and drive multi-channel content across articles, leadership communications, digital formats and social media.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in external communications, corporate communications, media relations or related field.
• Proven experience in busy press office environments.
• Strong background in reputation management and handling high-profile issues.
• Experience delivering communications support during incidents/crises or periods of heightened scrutiny.
• Ability to translate complex information into engaging, audience-focused content.
• Demonstrable success delivering integrated campaigns and measuring impact.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of external communications strategies to enhance reputation and trust.
• Create engaging content across multiple channels: media relations, articles, case studies, leadership comms, digital content and social media.
• Identify compelling stories and translate complex subjects into clear communications.
• Manage press office activity, respond to inquiries, secure positive media opportunities.
• Support reputation management and advise on high-profile issues.
• Lead and support communications during incidents and crises with timely, accurate messaging.
• Plan and deliver integrated campaigns, collaborating with marketing, digital, engagement and leadership teams.
• Use audience insight and media monitoring to evaluate activities and inform strategy.

Skills

External communications

Media relations

Reputation management

Crisis communications

Campaign delivery

Content creation

Leadership communications

Digital content

Social media

Stakeholder engagement

Performance measurement

Job description

An exciting opportunity for an experienced communications professional to lead external communications, media relations and reputation management for a nationally recognised organisation. You'll develop compelling stories, deliver integrated campaigns and provide strategic communications advice to senior stakeholders while helping to protect and enhance organisational reputation

Client Details

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.

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.

Profile

• 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.

Job Offer

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