Strategic Media Relations Lead

Ellwood Atfield; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Ellwood Atfield is seeking a media relations professional to sit at the heart of a listed financial services brand’s communications in London. You’ll work directly with journalists, editors and commentators to protect and enhance reputation, shaping proactive media plans and acting as a trusted voice during campaigns and fast-moving news.

You will respond to inquiries, track media interactions, support crisis management, brief senior leaders, and coordinate with external agencies.

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, 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.

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.

Skills

Media relations

Media strategy

Crisis comms

Writing/editing

Stakeholder management

High-pressure experience

Job description

Ellwood Atfield is seeking a media relations professional to sit at the heart of a listed financial services brand’s communications in London. You’ll work directly with journalists, editors and commentators to protect and enhance reputation, shaping proactive media plans and acting as a trusted voice during campaigns and fast-moving news.

You will respond to inquiries, track media interactions, support crisis management, brief senior leaders, and coordinate with external agencies.