Media Relations Executive

M&G; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

M&G is seeking a Media Relations Executive to enhance the visibility and reputation of its Life business. The role involves developing media communication strategies, managing external relationships, and representing the company at media events. Ideal candidates will have strong media relations skills, a proactive approach, and be comfortable working with various stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing media relations and day-to-day liaison.
• Strong written and oral communication skills required.
• Ability to manage multiple projects while paying attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the External Integrated Communications strategy.
• Devise and implement PR programmes and strategies.
• Respond to media enquiries and manage reputational risks.

Skills

Media liaison

Written communication

Project management

Job description

At M&G our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. As an international savings and investments business with roots stretching back more than 170 years, we offer a range of financial products and services through Asset Management, Life and Wealth. All three operating segments work together to deliver attractive financial outcomes for our clients, and superior shareholder returns.

Through our behaviours of telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer work place accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.

Supporting the Life business within M&G, the Media Relations Executive will assist M&G’s Media team in building and managing the firm’s reputation with the media, third parties and other key external stakeholders. The Media teams sits with the External Relations team as part of the Corporate Affairs and Brand function.

The role reports to the Media Relations Manager who has responsibility for media engagement conducted by our Life business.

The role holder will contribute to the creation and delivery of the External Relations strategy and focus on developing, planning, and managing media communications, as well as strengthening our relationships with journalists, particularly trade, personal finance and business pages.

We are looking for a candidate who can protect and promote M&G’s corporate reputation and identify pro-active profile raising opportunities for our Life business amongst key external audiences and to provide strategic communications consultancy to the business. The role holder will also be expected to contribute to, and activate, thought leadership campaigns as part of the broader External Relations strategy.

Working with the Media Relations Manager, the prompt identification and management of reputational risks and corporate issues of public interest is a key requirement to minimise negative media coverage and comment on M&G and its subsidiaries correcting any inaccuracies in a timely manner, where possible.

This role is based in London, requiring the jobholder to work primarily with the Life business, spending a significant amount of time with that area to develop your understanding and build relationships. The jobholder will also be expected to act as an external spokesperson for M&G.

M&G’s Life business has around 4.6 million policyholders in the UK and is responsible for managing the £128 billion Prudential With-Profits Fund - the largest of its kind in the UK with a 170 year history. It invests in a wide range of assets across regions and both public and private markets, with a heritage in supporting the real economy through infrastructure and real estate investment.Central to this is the £64 billion PruFund, investing on behalf of 450,000 individual policyholders in the UK saving for the long-term.

The business has reentered new business areas in the past two years, including the Bulk Purchase Annuity market and the retail annuity market, and has ambitions to further expand internationally through its collaboration with M&G’s asset management business. The role holder will support the growth of the business by raising the visibility of spokespeople, strategies and research in the media.

Key accountabilities for this role:

• To contribute to the development and implementation of the overall External Integrated Communications strategy that utilises a range of communication vehicles and mediums.
• With the direction of the Media Relations Manager, devise and implement PR programmes and strategies in the trade, regional, national, and broadcast media to support the delivery of the M&G’s business plans and to proactively promote M&G’s business and expertise - identifying potential stories and news hooks.
• Liaise with all departments across your business area – both external and internal facing – to identify media and broader corporate opportunities and risks and advise on mitigations.
• Contribute to the development of a wider programme of proactive corporate campaigning in relation to the business, national, regional and trade press.
• To provide high quality presentational advice and media handling to M&G employees to ensure accurate reporting of key announcements and issues. Organise media training where necessary.
• Research and write press releases, speeches, briefings, presentations, articles, Q&As and other communication materials.
• Help to organise and attend as necessary: interviews, visits, and events.
• Working with the Media Relations Manager to understand and identify the potential wider impact of issues and develop responses to media issues.
• To respond efficiently to media enquiries, developing strategies and lines to take to ensure balanced presentation and taking swift and effective action to rebut inaccuracies.
• Act as company representative at press briefings and external events, including but not limited to conferences and sector events.
• Work with the wider Corporate Affairs team on and to deliver specific projects and activities as directed by the Media Relations Manager or Head of Media Communications.
• Work with colleagues within Corporate Affairs and across the wider business to support and promote the activities of the Department.
• Perform out-of-hours duties as on-call press officer in line with a rota agreed within the team.
• Evaluate the success of media activity with thorough measurement and media tracking, supported by reviewing media coverage generated for each project or campaign, associated KPIs and contributing to broader evaluation metrics.
• Apply planning prioritisation and project management disciplines.
• Manage all activity to time and to budget.

Key knowledge, skills, and experience:

• Proven experience of day-to-day media liaison, and confidence in dealing with and briefing journalists in all formats – face-to-face, orally and in writing.
• A broad range of media relation skills, including drafting press releases, event organisation, dealing with journalists’ queries, acting as a spokesperson.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• The ability to assimilate complex financial and organisational information.
• Journalistic skills including drafting feature articles, identifying potential stories etc.
• The ability to establish information needs of different stakeholders.
• Well organised with good time management skills. Able to manage multiple projects.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Able to work on their initiative and as part of a team Some experience of managing budgets within pre-defined limits.
• Understanding of media measurement and evaluation techniques.
• Adapts to changing circumstances and new priorities.
• Goes out of the way to build excellent relationships at all levels.

Recruiter : Martyn Jack

We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G plc, underpinned by our policies and our employee-led networks who provide networking opportunities, advice and support for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or long term condition, we are looking to attract, promote and retain exceptional people. We also welcome those who take part in military service and those returning from career breaks.

M&G is also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader , and we welcome applications from candidates with long-term health conditions, disabilities, or neuro-divergent conditions. Being a Disability Confident Leader means that candidates who meet the minimum criteria of a job, will be offered an interview if they 'opt in' to the scheme when applying.

Ifyou need assistanceor an alternative means of applying for a role due to a disability or additional need,pleaselet usknow by contacting us at: [e-mail]