Media Relations Director, Group

Serco; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in public services is seeking a Media Relations Director based in London, responsible for managing media strategy and corporate communications. This high-profile role requires strong media handling skills and the ability to build trust with external stakeholders while promoting the organization's narrative across diverse channels.

Benefits

Company car or car allowance

Private medical for you and a partner

Up to % matched pension

Qualifications

• Proven experience in high-profile media relations and complex issues.
• Strong track record of delivering proactive media coverage.
• Excellent judgement and messaging skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead media strategies to support business objectives.
• Act as the lead contact for all media inquiries.
• Deliver proactive media campaigns and build relationships with journalists.

Skills

Media relations

Writing and editing

Building relationships

Digital and traditional media

Political awareness

Job description

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Media Relations Director, Group
Location: Cardinal Place London / Flexible

Competitive salary + % bonus + company car or allowance + Private medical + % pension

At Serco, we make a difference every day. Across the UK and Europe, over , of our colleagues deliver vital public services that shape lives and strengthen communities. From Defence and Transport to Health, Immigration and Justice, we operate at the heart of public life. Now, we’re looking for a Media Relations Director to help us tell our story — clearly, confidently, and with impact.

This is a high-profile, senior position responsible for both reactive media handling and proactive media engagement across Serco Group and the UK & Europe Division. You’ll play a key role in shaping how we are perceived — by the media, the public, and our stakeholders — helping to build trust, enhance our reputation, and promote recognition of the vital work we do.

You’ll be at the centre of Serco’s external communications, reporting directly to the Group Director of Communications. You’ll lead on media relations strategy, oversee incoming press enquiries, and identify and deliver proactive storytelling opportunities across traditional and digital media channels.

You’ll work closely with senior leaders across the organisation and build strong relationships with journalists, government press offices, and other external stakeholders. As a senior leader in our communications function, you’ll also collaborate with colleagues across internal comms, marketing, and investor relations to ensure consistent, aligned messaging that supports our wider business goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop and lead comprehensive media strategies across all channels to support business and communications objectives
2. Act as the lead point of contact for all media enquiries across Group and the UK & Europe Division
3. Deliver compelling, proactive media campaigns — with a strong focus on internal human-interest stories that showcase the people behind our services
4. Provide expert advice and judgement to senior leaders on all media handling matters
5. Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and key external stakeholders
6. Support financial communications in collaboration with the Head of Investor Relations and financial PR agencies
7. Monitor media coverage and social channels, ensuring timely responses to issues and opportunities
8. Rebut inaccurate or misleading coverage swiftly and effectively
9. Maintain and lead crisis communications protocols & be part of the out-of-hours media relations on-call rota
10. Track and evaluate media campaigns against agreed targets and KPIs
11. Stay ahead of emerging media trends and tools, driving innovation and continuous improvement

What You’ll Bring

1. Proven experience in high-profile media relations, including managing complex or sensitive issues, ideally in a complex business or public sector equivalent
2. A strong track record of delivering proactive media coverage, particularly human interest and people-focused stories that generate positive recognition
3. Excellent judgement, writing, and editing skills — able to shape complex information into clear, compelling messaging
4. Strong understanding of digital and traditional media channels
5. Ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with national media and key stakeholders
6. Experience advising and influencing senior executives coupled with a collaborative, flexible and proactive approach to working across a matrixed organisation
7. Political awareness and a strong grasp of current affairs
8. Willingness to travel as needed and participate in out-of-hours duty rota

What we offer

• A competitive base salary
• Up to % bonus
• A company car or car allowance
• Private medical for you and a partner
• % matched pension

All Serco employees must ensure that their current line manager is aware of their application. For confidential enquiries please contact MyHR. Serco are Disability Confident Leader employers and are committed to employing and retaining people with disabilities. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.