Media Relations Executive

British Airways; Hounslow; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff travel benefits

Discounted airfares

Internal mobility opportunities

Job summary

British Airways is seeking a Media Relations Executive to join our Corporate Affairs team. This senior, non-entry role requires proven media relations experience in a fast-paced environment and a track record of safeguarding the airline’s reputation.

You will manage the 24/7 press office, build strong media relationships, and shape external messaging across high‑profile situations. You will thrive on turning complex issues into clear, concise communications, draft statements, and provide

Qualifications

• Proven experience in media relations within a fast-paced, high-profile environment.
• Ability to deliver clear communications for complex issues.
• Experience working with journalists and media outlets.

Responsibilities

• Ensure smooth operation of the 24/7 press office and handle urgent media enquiries.
• Build and maintain relationships with key journalists and media,
• Identify opportunities for positive coverage aligned with business strategy
• Embed as trusted advisor to senior colleagues across the business
• Monitor, analyse and report on media coverage and trends
• Draft and distribute press releases, statements and briefing materials
• Participate in 24/7 on-call roster and crisis response exercises

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Stakeholder management

Press office

Media monitoring

Press release writing

Job description

A career without limits

As the nation’s flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain. It’s something we’ve been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world’s first international scheduled air service between London and Paris. This originality has been in our blood since day one. It’s the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues. So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far‑flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make. We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.

The Role: Media Relations Executive

Join our dynamic Corporate Affairs team at British Airways as a Media Relations Executive. This is a non‑entry level role requiring proven experience in media relations within a fast‑paced, high‑profile environment. You will play a key role in executing our communications strategy by building effective relationships with media and proactively seek opportunities to enhance and protect the airline's reputation. This role is pivotal in ensuring the smooth operation of our busy 24/7 press office, delivering industry‑leading crisis communications and breaking down complex issues into clear and concise communications.

What You’ll Do

• Deliver the smooth operation of the airline’s 24/7 press office, responding to urgent media enquiries, prioritising and managing multiple issues, and fiercely guarding the company’s brand and reputation.
• Effectively and confidently handle a variety of relationships with key journalists. Build and maintain strong relationships with wider media, proactively challenging inaccuracies, mitigating damaging allegations, and identifying opportunities for positive coverage aligned with business strategy
• Embed into a busy operational environment and act as a trusted advisor to senior colleagues across the business
• Monitor, scrutinise, and analyse media coverage, building reports, escalating and sharing insights with stakeholders as appropriate
• Manage the smooth running of the media centre, databases, distribution lists, log systems, and media monitoring and analysis
• Draft and distribute press releases, media statements, key messaging materials, and briefing documents
• Break down complex issues into simple and clear communications
• Take part in the 24/7 on‑call roster, demonstrating a strong understanding of crisis communications procedures and participating in regular crisis response exercises.

Hybrid Working Model & Weekend Cover Requirements

This role is based on a hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of four days a week in the Waterside (WTS) HQ office based adjacent to Heathrow’s terminal 5. To ensure robust media coverage and operational support, you will also participate in a shared team rota for phone cover across some weekends (additional pay is provided on top of base salary). This expectation is designed to maintain our high standards of responsiveness and reputational resilience; with weekend duties distributed fairly among team members.

What You’ll Bring To British Airways

You will be passionate about aviation and bring a collaborative and proactive approach, demonstrating strong initiative, curiosity, and sound judgement in all that you do. Your excellent planning and organisational skills will enable you to manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines in a fast‑paced environment. Your positive and flexible mindset, combined with resilience under pressure, creativity, and a passion for storytelling, will help drive strategic impact. With strong interpersonal and relationship‑building abilities, you will work effectively with both internal and external stakeholders. Attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team are essential qualities you will contribute to British Airways.

What We Offer

We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary.

• From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights.
• You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family.
• At British Airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you.
• We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress.

Inclusion & Diversity

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work.

Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves.

We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.