Media Relations Executive

Ellwood Atfield; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Ellwood Atfield is representing a major listed financial services brand in London seeking a seasoned media relations professional. You will shape proactive media plans and act as a trusted voice during high-profile moments, from planned campaigns to breaking news.

You will manage media engagement, coordinate with journalists and editors, and help prepare senior leaders for media opportunities, including after-hours coverage as part of the communications team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in media relations with established relationships across broadcast, national, regional, trade and specialist media.
• Experience planning, developing and executing media strategies, both proactively and reactively.
• Confidence adapting media responses to align with corporate objectives and protect brand reputation.
• Strong writing, editing and presentation skills to communicate complex information clearly.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills for building relationships with senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing media during high-pressure situations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and update the media engagement plan and activity grid, ahead of emerging issues.
• Track media interactions and ensure timely, considered responses to enquiries.
• Support crisis and incident management processes with proactive media relations.
• Monitor relevant media to provide insights on themes, issues and competitors.
• Help manage third-party agencies to deliver the media plan effectively.
• Prepare senior leaders for media interactions with pre-interview briefings.
• Provide media relations coverage on an out-of-hours rota with the wider team.

Skills

Media relations

Media strategy planning

Crisis communication

Writing & editing

Stakeholder management

High-pressure media handling

Job description

Our client is well-established within the financial services sector and based in London.

The opportunity

This is a chance to sit at the heart of a listed financial services brand’s media relations, working directly with journalists, editors and commentators to protect and enhance its reputation. You’ll help shape the proactive media plan and be a trusted voice during high-profile moments, from planned campaigns to fast-moving news.

Main responsibilities

• Maintain and update the media engagement plan and activity grid, keeping the team ahead of emerging issues.
• Track media interactions and ensure every enquiry receives a timely, considered response.
• Support the organisation’s crisis and incident management process, ensuring media relations plays its part when it matters most.
• Monitor relevant media to provide insight on themes, issues and competitors, keeping colleagues informed and prepared.
• Support the management of third-party agencies to ensure effective delivery of the media plan.
• Help prepare senior leaders for media interactions through briefings ahead of interviews and appearances.
• Provide media relations cover on an out-of-hours rota, working closely with the wider communications team.

Key skills and experience required

• Proven experience in media relations, with established relationships across broadcast, national, regional, trade and specialist media.
• Experience planning, developing and executing media strategies, both proactively and reactively.
• Confidence adapting media responses to align with corporate objectives and protect brand reputation.
• Strong writing, editing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, comfortable building relationships with senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing media during high-pressure situations.

Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are an equal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession to ensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.