Media Relations Officer

Media Relations Officer - Maternity Cover

Grade 6 | £18-£21 per hour | 9-12 Months Fixed Term
Hybrid Role - Central London Campus
Start: ASAP

CV Deadline: Friday 27th June - Interviews WC 30th June 

Join Our Communications Team

We're seeking a skilled Media Relations Officer to join our prestigious university communications team. This role would particularly suit candidates with journalistic backgrounds or those experienced in fast-paced media environments.

About the Role

As our Media Relations Officer, you'll be the vital link between our world-renowned university and the media landscape. This maternity cover position offers an excellent opportunity to experience university communications in a dynamic academic environment.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Media Liaison: Serve as the primary contact for journalists and media outlets, managing inquiries and building relationships with key stakeholders
• Content Creation: Write compelling press releases, media statements, and news stories that translate complex academic research into engaging, accessible content
• Expert Facilitation: Connect journalists with our leading academics, coordinating interviews and expert commentary opportunities
• Digital Storytelling: Manage our news website and social media presence, creating content that drives engagement across multiple platforms
• Media Monitoring: Track and analyze coverage, providing insights and comprehensive reporting on media impact

Why This Role Offers Excellent Opportunities

Immediate Impact: This role is ideal for those with media experience who can quickly understand news values, deadlines, and compelling storytelling.
Transferable Skills: Candidates with journalism or media backgrounds will find their existing skills highly valuable:

• Interview and communication techniques
• Deadline management and project coordination
• Story development and strategic planning
• Industry networks and professional relationships

Career Development: Gain experience in institutional communications while building new professional connections across higher education and research sectors.
Intellectual Stimulation: Work with cutting-edge research across every field imaginable, from breakthrough medical discoveries to revolutionary technological innovations.

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• Experience in a fast-paced communications environment such as a press office or communications team
• Strong understanding of how print, broadcast, online, and social media operate
• Exceptional writing skills with precision and attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience with content management systems and social media platforms

Desirable:

• Image editing skills
• Experience with online publishing platforms

What You'll Gain

• Competitive hourly rate: £18-£21 depending on experience
• Flexible hybrid working: Minimum 20% time on campus in central London
• Professional development: Training opportunities and skill building in institutional communications
• Network expansion: Build relationships across academia, research institutions, and specialist media
• Diverse portfolio: Work on everything from scientific breakthroughs to policy announcements

The Ideal Candidate

You'll likely have:

• Experience in communications, media, or related field
• Strong relationship-building abilities
• Interest in higher education and academic research
• Enthusiasm for working in a collaborative, mission-driven environment
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

This role would particularly suit candidates with journalism backgrounds, communications professionals, or those experienced in media relations.

Next Steps

This role starts immediately and offers genuine career development in a sector that values strong communication skills and fresh perspectives. You'll join a collaborative team in a world-class academic institution.

Ready to bring your communication expertise to higher education?

This is a maternity cover position offering 9-12 months of experience in a prestigious academic environment, ideal for professionals seeking career development or new challenges.