Senior Media & External Communications Lead (Remote UK)

Capita; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote working

Competitive salary

23 days' holiday

Volunteer day

Family leave policies

Cycle2Work scheme

Job summary

Capita is seeking a Senior Media and External Corporate Communications Manager to lead the busy press office, manage media relations, and handle issues across UK operations. This remote role requires travel to the London head office and other sites as needed.

You will shape external communications strategies, prepare spokespeople, brief leadership, monitor coverage, and develop stories that showcase Capita's transformation across public and private sectors.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in corporate communications within a PR agency, including media relations and issues management involving UK national and trade media.
• Journalism experience, with a strong understanding of how the media operates and what makes a good story.
• Experience of communications within the public sector, regulated industries or another complex and highly scrutinised environment is preferable.
• Excellent news judgement, with demonstrable experience of writing and editing clear, accurate and high-quality content for different audiences and channels.
• Experience of advising and influencing senior stakeholders, preparing spokespeople and providing clear communications recommendations.
• Ability to interpret complex operational, political and reputational issues and communicate them clearly and concisely.
• Sound understanding of current affairs, the UK political landscape, business issues and relevant technology trends.
• Demonstrable knowledge of digital and social media platforms, with experience of integrated, multi-channel communications.

Responsibilities

• Managing and responding to daily media enquiries, often involving complex, high-profile or sensitive issues that affect individuals and communities.
• Identifying emerging reputational risks and working with contract communications leads, public affairs, internal communications, legal teams, senior leaders and external PR agencies to agree clear handling and escalation plans.
• Developing reactive statements, lines to take, Q&A, briefing materials and other communications needed to support rapid and accurate responses.
• Providing clear, evidence-based communications advice to senior leaders, including constructive challenge where required, and preparing spokespeople for interviews and difficult questions.
• Supporting crisis communications planning and urgent issues outside normal working hours when required.
• Helping to shape and deliver Capita's external communications strategy and plan.
• Developing credible stories and campaigns that demonstrate Capita's transformation, expertise and contribution to the delivery of essential public services across earned, owned, social and digital channels.
• Working closely with colleagues across contracts and functions to identify evidence, insight, case studies and spokespeople that strengthen our external narrative.
• Building trusted relationships with reporters at key national and trade media outlets covering Capita and the sectors in which we operate.
• Monitoring the media, business and UK political landscape to anticipate risks and identify opportunities to share informed viewpoints and profile our spokespeople.
• Monitoring coverage and evaluating communications activity, using insight and evidence to improve future plans and report on reputation, reach and impact.

Skills

Media relations

Press office management

Crisis communications

Stakeholder engagement

Journalism experience

Public sector communications

Job description

Capita is seeking a Senior Media and External Corporate Communications Manager to lead the busy press office, manage media relations, and handle issues across UK operations. This remote role requires travel to the London head office and other sites as needed.

You will shape external communications strategies, prepare spokespeople, brief leadership, monitor coverage, and develop stories that showcase Capita's transformation across public and private sectors.