Media and Project Communications Officers

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 26 days

Pension scheme

Medical assessments

Cycle to work

Life assurance

Job summary

Thames Water Utilities Limited in Reading is seeking a Media and Project Communications Officer to manage day-to-day media activity and develop compelling content for major national projects. You will help plan campaigns, coordinate events, and deliver integrated communications across print, digital, and social channels.

The role requires strong media relations, writing, and strategic communications skills, with flexibility for travel across Reading and London offices and occasional

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Pitch stories to national, regional and trade media to generate positive coverage.
• Manage day-to-day media enquiries and liaise with corporate press office.
• Produce newsletters, briefings, presentations, reports, and website/social content.
• Plan and deliver communication campaigns to support project initiatives.
• Coordinate events and site visits, including logistics and materials.
• Develop project communications plans and handling plans with milestones.
• Monitor channels and evaluate impact against KPIs with improvements.

Skills

Media handling

Campaign planning

Content development

Writing & editing

Strategic comms

Job description

Job title Media and Project Communications Officers Ref 45859 Division Strategic Water Resources Location Reading - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Salary Offering between £50,000 - £55,000 per annum depending on experience Job grade B Closing date 24/09/2026

Help shape the future of water

Record-breaking temperatures and increasingly frequent droughts are changing the way we think about water. As the UK adapts to changing weather patterns, Thames Water is at the forefront of keeping the taps flowing for millions of people across the South East.

We're investing in some of the country's most significant infrastructure projects to meet the demands of a growing population, protect the environment and ensure water security for future generations.

We're looking for talented communications professionals to join our team and help bring these nationally significant projects to life. You'll play a key role in delivering high-quality, impactful communications for initiatives such as our proposed new reservoir in Oxfordshire and drought resilience schemes in London.

Are you a savvy media specialist who can deliver day-to-day media activity in a fast-paced deadline-driven environment, but also have the skills to deliver engaging digital and online content? We are looking for someone who will help bring our projects to life, as we move through the planning process and into delivery. We want someone who can think creatively to showcase the benefits that will flow from our projects, driving engagement from target audiences and helping people understand why the projects are needed.

If you are looking for a role that gives you the opportunity to practice the best of your communications skills and expertise, while working on a project of national importance with a brilliant team culture, this is the job for 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 SRO projects.
• Manage day-to-day enquiries from the media relating to SRO 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 Project 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

These roles will be based across our Reading and London offices

Regular travel to project sites will be required.

Flexibility to support media relations and events outside normal working hours when necessary

What you should bring to the role?

• Proven record of media handling and campaign planning.
• Experience of high-quality content development in across 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 of £50,000 - £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.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.