Media and Project Communications Officer

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary up to £55,000

26 days annual leave (+1-4 with length

Performance-related pay

Generous Pension Scheme

Personal Medical Assessments

Benefits programme for health and well

Job summary

Thames Water in Reading seeks a Media and Project Communications Officer to support strategic water resources projects. You will manage media relations, develop clear project content, and help tell the story of major infrastructure work with a national reach.

Working with a collaborative team, you will plan campaigns, produce newsletters and digital content, monitor impact, and contribute to communication plans aligned with project milestones, ensuring clear messaging to diverse audiences

Qualifications

• Proven track record in handling media and campaign planning.
• Experience creating high-quality content across formats (print, web, social).
• Ability to translate complex information for diverse audiences.
• Outstanding writing and editing skills.
• Strong strategic communications management.
• Excellent attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Media Relations: pitch stories and manage enquiries with media.
• Content Development: produce newsletters, briefings, presentations, reports, and updates across channels.
• Campaigns & Events: plan and deliver communication campaigns and manage site visits.
• Communications Planning and Delivery: develop plans with milestones and issue handling.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: track impact and advise on improvements.

Skills

Media handling

Campaign planning

Content development

Clear communication

Writing & editing

Strategic communications

Job description

Job title Media and Project Communications Officer Ref 45862 Division Strategic Water Resources Location Reading - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Salary Offering up to £55,000 per annum depending on experience Job grade B Closing date 23/11/2026

Help shape future water for London

Record-breaking temperatures and more frequent droughts are changing the way we think about water.

As the UK adapts to a changing climate, Thames Water is helping ensure millions of people across the South East continue to have a reliable water supply. We're investing in some of the country's most significant infrastructure projects to support a growing population, protect the environment and secure water supplies for generations to come.

We're looking for a talented communications professional to help tell the story of these nationally significant projects, with a particular focus on the proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) scheme, an important part of London's future drought resilience.

This is a varied and exciting role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You'll deliver day-to-day media activity, develop compelling digital content, and create communications that bring complex infrastructure projects to life. You'll help people understand why these projects are needed, showcase the benefits they will deliver, and drive engagement with key audiences throughout the planning process and beyond.

We're looking for a creative and proactive communicator with strong media instincts, excellent storytelling skills and a passion for delivering impactful communications.

If you're looking for an opportunity to apply the full breadth of your communications expertise while working on a project of national significance, alongside a collaborative and supportive team, we'd love to hear from you.

What you will be doing as a Media and Project Communications Officer

Media Relations

• Pitching stories to national, regional and trade media to generate positive coverage about our projects.
• Manage day-to-day enquiries from the media relating to our projects, working closely with colleagues in the corporate press office

Content Development

• Produce clear, accurate and timely project communications materials, including newsletters, briefings, presentations, reports, website updates and social media content.
• Create, manage, and distribute high-quality project communications across multiple channels, including print, website, intranet and social media platforms.

Campaigns & Events

• Plan and deliver communication campaigns to support project initiatives.
• Manage site visits and project events, including logistics and communications materials.

Communications Planning and Delivery

• Working closely with the Senior Communications Manager, develop and implement project communication plans aligned with project milestones.
• Develop handling plans for specific project issues.
• Management of project messaging, including narratives, message houses and lines to take.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitor communication channels to ensure project responsiveness, communications impact and messaging relevance.
• Track and evaluate communication activities against agreed objectives and key performance indicators, and make recommendations to drive continuous improvement

What you should bring to the role?

• Proven record of media handling and campaign planning.
• Experience of high-quality content development across a range of formats (print, social, web).
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Outstanding writing and editing skills.
• Strong strategic communications management.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work in a fast paced environment.

What’s in it for you?

Join a company where your career can truly thrive, with opportunities to grow, develop and reach your full potential. There has never been a more exciting time to join Thames Water as we embark on the most significant transformation in our 100-year history. You’ll become part of a passionate, purpose-driven team committed to securing the UK’s long-term water future, working alongside talented colleagues who share a strong sense of collaboration, ambition and pride in making a meaningful impact.

• Competitive salary up to £55,000 per annum, depending on your experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Performance-related pay is directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of your and your family’s health and well-being, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process . If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support .

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.