Media Relations Executive

Drive positive media coverage, manage press relationships, and shape public perception for Thames Water.

What you’ll be doing as a Media Relations Executive

• Manage day to day enquiries from the media relating to specific business areas and work on proactive projects
• Act as a company spokesperson and communicate the key messages around the company’s Turnaround plan and strategy
• Act as a source of professional expertise providing media advice to stakeholders and business areas within the business, challenging and influencing others
• Identify, escalate and mitigate emerging risks as appropriate to protect the reputation and interests of the business and colleagues
• Build, maintain and influence external relationships with relevant sector, regional and Tier 1 journalists
• Provide input to the business to support delivery of projects or where appropriate deliver projects and initiatives within relevant business areas
• Lead on specific projects or reviews within a broader area of specialty
• Positively influence others by demonstrating company values and behaviours and where appropriate, manage, develop and motivate colleagues to support a high performing team
• Take part in a 24-hour on-call rota, including weekends, to respond when needed to media-related issues. Be flexible in sharing duties as part of a small team to ensure continuity of service, including covering for other team members.

Base location – Hybrid – Clear Water Court Reading (MUST be able to attend the office twice a week)

What you should bring to the role

• You will have a developed understanding of Media Relations, preferably with experience of working in a highly regulated sector
• You will be working in house or agency side managing workloads
• Good media connections
• Experience in creating briefs and setting up interviews
• Experience in managing internal and external stakeholders
• Able to demonstrate projects that have succeeded in brand promotion and identity enhancement

What’s in it for you?

Make a Real Impact: Shape how millions of people understand vital water and environmental issues that affect daily life.

Crisis Communications Experience: Be on the frontline of high-profile incidents, helping to protect and enhance our reputation.

Purpose-Driven Mission: Support communications that contribute to public health, sustainability, and environmental protection.

Work with Experts: Collaborate closely with senior leaders, engineers, and environmental specialists on key media narratives.

Grow Your Career: Develop within a well-established communications team with access to mentoring, training, and progression opportunities.

Trusted Industry Leader: Represent one of the UK’s most recognisable and essential utility brands.

• Competitive salary of up to £61,000 per annum depending on experience
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.