Senior Media Relations Manager

Southern Water; Worthing; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water services provider in the UK is seeking a Senior Media Relations Manager to enhance its corporate affairs strategy. This role involves overseeing the press office, managing media relations, and providing expert counsel during critical situations. The ideal candidate should possess extensive media relations experience and a knack for strategic thinking. Key responsibilities include leading a high-performing team, developing proactive media engagement plans, and managing reputational issues. A competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package are offered, including a car allowance and ongoing professional development.

Benefits

Generous pension up to 11% company contribution

25 days annual leave

Life assurance equal to 4x salary

Salary sacrifice electric car scheme

Health Cash Plan

Funded eye tests

Volunteering days

Occupational health service

Retailer discounts

Digital GP service

Study support

Flexible maternity leave

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in leading and managing a press office team.
• Proven track record in media relations and crisis communications.
• Ability to anticipate news flow and handle press inquiries.

Responsibilities

• Lead the press office function and manage media relations.
• Develop a proactive media engagement programme.
• Monitor and analyze media coverage for strategy adjustment.

Skills

Leadership & Management

Strategic Media Expertise

Excellent written and verbal communication

Strong relationship building

Proactive problem-solving

Job description

Overview

Closing Date: 2025-12-14

Job Title: Senior Media Relations Manager

Location: Durrington (Hybrid 2 days onsite (Mon and Tues))

Contract Type: Perm

Hours: 37

Salary: Competitive base salary + £400 car allowance per month.

Standby rota: 1 week in 7

Reporting to: Head of External Communications

Role Purpose

Our purpose is to provide water for life to enhance health and wellbeing, protect and improve the environment, and sustain the economy. We’re at a pivotal point in Southern Water’s transformation, as one five-year investment period ends and we embark on our largest delivery programme yet, with an ambitious plan to double investment over the regulatory period 2025–30.

As Senior Media Relations Manager, you will play a vital role in supporting the delivery of our Corporate Affairs strategy as Southern Water continues its transformational journey. Working directly with the Executive Team, senior leaders, and Corporate Affairs colleagues, you will lead the press office function to deliver proactive and reactive media relations that enhances and protects Southern Water’s reputation. This is a senior, high-profile role requiring strategic thinking, exceptional judgement, and the ability to operate confidently under intense media and political scrutiny.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and line manage the press office function, managing day-to-day media relations and acting as a primary point of contact for key journalists.
• Develop and deliver a rolling programme of proactive media engagement that influences and educates customers and stakeholders and builds positive sentiment.
• Monitor and analyse media coverage, using metrics to demonstrate progress and inform future strategy.
• Provide expert counsel on regional media dynamics and advise on messaging to maximise impact.
• Respond swiftly and effectively to media enquiries, ensuring accurate and timely information is shared.
• Manage reputational issues and crisis communications, leveraging strong media relationships to mitigate risk.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment of messaging and support integrated communications campaigns.

Skills & Experience

Leadership & Management

• Demonstrable experience in leading and line managing a busy, high-performing press office team.
• Experience in managing external communications agencies and associated budgets to deliver impactful campaigns.

Strategic Media Expertise

• Significant experience in media relations, ideally within a press office or agency environment.
• Strong understanding of the regional media landscape and significant experience engaging with national media.
• A track record of success in media management – proactive in news management and handling of journalists and editors before and after publication, including effective rebuttals and corrections.
• Experience of working within organisations under intense media, political and activist / campaigner scrutiny, and of managing media over controversial, polarised or contested topics.
• Confidence and gravitas in journalist handling, and when advising CEOs and senior executives on high-profile media issues.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and powerful, succinct quotes / lines to take.
• Journalistic savvy and instinct: able to anticipate news flow and areas of journalistic challenge.
• Clear headed and calm under pressure, exhibiting consistently sound judgement.
• Strong relationship building skills – with internal stakeholders, counterparts in trade associations or Government / agencies, and with journalists and editors.
• Able to interpret media sentiment and translate insights into actionable strategies and media handling plans.
• Disciplined in evaluation of press office activity - measuring and reporting on media impact using relevant tools and metrics.
• A proactive problem-solver with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues swiftly and effectively.

Desirable

• A deep understanding of the water industry and experience within regulated sectors.
• Experience of having worked in the media.

Working Pattern & Benefits

• Mondays and Tuesdays based in our head office in Durrington; hybrid working for the remainder of the week.
• The post holder must be willing and able to travel to sites across the region to meet with journalists and host site visits.
• The post holder must be willing to take part in an out of hours on-call rota.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Package

This role will be full time Monday to Friday with a hybrid approach at our Durrington office. We are offering a competitive salary, car allowance as well as other benefits including :

• Generous pension up to 11% company contribution
• 25 days annual leave
• Life assurance equal to 4x salary
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
• Health Cash Plan
• Full funded eye tests
• Two paid volunteering days a year
• Occupational health service
• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
• Digital GP service
• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications
• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
• Cycle to work scheme

Our Values & Culture

At Southern Water, our purpose is clear: to provide water for life —enhancing health and wellbeing, protecting and improving the environment, and sustaining the economy. Everything we do is underpinned by our strong set of core values:

• Succeeding Together – We collaborate and support each other to achieve shared goals.
• Always Improving – We strive for continuous improvement in everything we do.
• Doing the Right Thing – We act with integrity, openness, and transparency.
• Working with Care – We care about our customers and deliver excellent service with care, we look out for each other and value safety and wellbeing above everything else, and we care for each other so everyone can feel they belong and have a voice.

We are committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued. Diversity and inclusion are embedded in our vision and practices, ensuring that all colleagues can bring their authentic selves to work. We champion equality, equity, and diversity of thought because we believe these principles are fundamental to achieving business success.

Our culture is guided by safety, environmental responsibility, and a customer focus. We aim to create a workplace where people thrive, contribute their best, and feel proud to be part of our transformational journey.