Media Relations Manager

Job Title: Media Relations Manager 

Salary: £40,456

Contract Type: One-Year Fixed-Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

Location: London

About us 

RCS is the professional body for surgery. Our mission is to build the future of the surgical profession and improve the delivery of surgical care. We do this through education, training, examination, supporting surgical research and audit/evaluation

About the role

An outstanding Media Relations Manager is required to help the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) influence the news agenda and thereby Government and key stakeholders for the benefit of surgical patients. The RCS is one of the most influential health commentators in the UK so this role would suit someone ambitious with a track record in media relations who has a demonstrable interest in influencing healthcare policy. 

You will be joining the press team during an exciting period that has seen the RCS enjoy wide news coverage of its views on surgery and the NHS more widely. In the last few months news coverage has included high profile pieces on the BBC and ITV News as well as in The Independent, The Daily Mail, The Times and The Guardian.   Working with the Head of Policy, Media and Public Affairs and the Senior Press Officers (job share), you will be responsible for handling enquiries from journalists and proactively promoting the work of the RCS in the media. Your media work will cover topics as diverse as the rationing of surgery by commissioning groups, waiting times for planned surgery in the NHS, patient safety in the independent sector, professional regulation, cosmetic surgery and children’s teeth.

The role requires good writing skills, the ability to get across complex messages, a confident telephone manner and a knack for building strong relationships with journalists, as well as partners internally and externally. The Media Relations Manager currently line-manages the two individuals that share the Senior Press Officer role.  The successful candidate will be required to take part in a 24 hour on-call rota. Time off in lieu is offered for any significant out-of-office hours worked. 

It’s a demanding but fantastic role in a very supportive team with lots of opportunity to devise and implement your own ideas.

Responsibilities:

• Lead on the design of a media relations strategy, ensuring our approach to media relations is strategic and aligns with the College’s priorities. 
• With the Head of Policy, Media and Public Affairs, oversee the handling of media issues on a day-to-day basis. 
• Research, write and distribute press releases, features, letters and other editorial material.  Drafting articles and opinion pieces on behalf of senior figures. 
• Brief the President, Council Members and senior managers on issues arising in the media and where necessary manage print or TV interviews.
• Act as the press lead for the Faculty of Dental Surgery and key projects. This includes devising and implementing communications plans, sharing project updates with the wider communications team, and maintaining knowledge of the issues.
• Horizon scan for media opportunities. 
• Brief and prepare key college spokespeople for media interviews. 
• Organise media training of key Council members and RCS spokespeople. 
• Establish and maintain relationships with relevant journalists and media outlets. 
• Represent the College at internal and external meetings to advise on media issues.
• With the senior press officer (job share), monitor daily media coverage relevant to surgery, the College, and the Faculty of Dental Surgery. This includes pulling together the team’s daily press cuts to be shared with Council members, trustees, regional directors and College staff by 10am (subject to urgent media enquiries).
• Work with the digital team to lead on the social media aspects of our press work, including commissioning and editing relevant blogs.
• Maintain relationships with other press and communications leads at key stakeholders.
• Organise and participate in a 24 hour on-call rota for media enquiries that will mean working at weekends and out-of-office hours.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of media work, producing regular reports to the Head of Policy, Media and Public Affairs and Director of Engagement. 
• Maintain and update media sections of the College website, working closely with the web team to develop rich digital content.

• Manage staff to ensure effective performance management.
• Liaise with the Head of Policy, Media and Public Affairs to ensure collaborative working relationships between public affairs, media and policy teams.
• Develop staff through mentoring and delegation.
• Work with Head of Policy, Media and Public Affairs to set and monitor budgets for media relations, and contribute to the business planning process.
• The post-holder is expected to represent the College in a professional manner in relation to his or her responsibilities and in ensuring their own continuing professional development.
• Undertake such duties appropriate to the grade, as required by the Director.

About you:

• Degree educated (or proven extensive experience that can demonstrate the essential criteria below).
• At least three years’ experience of working in a press office including experience of policy communications. 
• Line management experience.  
• Previous experience in medical/healthcare environment.
• Writing and editing for a variety of media including print and the internet.
• Excellent news judgement. 
• Ability to learn quickly, understand complex policy documents, and formulate a media response.
• An understanding of journalists’ needs and priorities.
• Experience of using social media to promote an organisations aims.
• Interest in and understanding of healthcare and medical policy.
• Awareness of UK politics.
• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint packages
• Research skills.
• Organisational skills with ability to carry work through from research to presentation of information.
• Ability to present reasoned argument in an objective manner.
• Able to prioritise work and work to tight deadlines. 
• Excellent telephone confidence and oral communication skills.
• Supporting members of staff to motivate and develop them. 
• Confidence to brief senior members of staff and surgeons.
• Networking and relationship building skills with external organisations.

What we can offer you:

• 25 days paid holiday + bank holidays and up to 4 College closure days.
• Flexible working.
• Enhanced contributory pension scheme & other leave entitlements.
• In-house gym.
• Variety of learning and development opportunities.
• Wellbeing programme & Employee Assistance Scheme.

To view a copy of the job description please click here

If you have any questions about this position please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly HR team on 020 7869 6104 or [email protected] who will be more than happy to help or put you in touch with the Recruiting Manager.

Closing date: 21 October 2019 

Interview date:  w/c 28 October 2019

We are fully committed to equality and diversity and will assess your application based on your experience, skills and suitability to the position only.