Media Relations Manager

Job Introduction

Job introduction

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join Southeastern as a Media Relations Manager. This is a hybrid role, where when in the office, you will based at out modern London Bridge Headquarters.

Southeastern is one of the largest, busiest and highest profile rail operators in the country and the Media Relations Manager role is at the forefront of protecting and enhancing the operator’s reputation among national, regional and trade press.

This is a crucial role where you will be responsible for protecting and enhancing the company’s reputation by demonstrating how Southeastern is delivering a better, more reliable and more sustainable railway. 

You will be expected to work with the wider business to understand their workstreams, identify risks and opportunities and then develop effective and engaging communications content to tell that story to a range of audiences as well as translating complex operational transport issues in a highly regulated environment so that they are understandable to a mass audience and can be communicated simply.

On top of this, you will be the formal company spokesman in a high-profile, high-pressure, organisation – providing the lines-to-take and delivering key messages by using modern media techniques to generate positive media coverage. In particular, working independently to develop multi-media content to help maximise reach within mainstream media.  

In summary, you will be the company’s subject matter expert for dealing with the media, providing guidance for colleagues and senior leaders.

The role is Monday – Friday, normal office hours.

Main Responsibilities

You will have a number of accountabilities and responsibilities in this role, that will include but not be limited to:

• Leading the business’ engagement, both proactively and reactively, with the national, regional and trade press in order to protect and enhance the company’s reputation.
• Ensuring all media activity is aligned with the Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and the wider business strategy in order to support the journey to providing a better, more reliable and sustainable railway.
• Deputising for the Head of External Communications at internal and external events and meetings as required.
• Working collaboratively with the wider Communications and Stakeholder Engagement team to help shape communications activity and ensure media opportunities are effectively developed and delivered.
• Providing expert advice, guidance and challenge to the Executive and DOHL on issues that could negatively impact on the company’s reputation amongst the media and may impact reputation.
• Developing and maintaining good relationships with the national, local and transport press to establish a greater understanding and support for the company via the media and creating opportunities to attempt to influence public opinion on key issues.
• Effectively using modern media techniques, particularly multi-media, in order to create effective and engaging content  for use by digital news and media outlets.
• Supporting the Marketing Manager to identify PR opportunities with third parties and maximising relationships with the local press to promote Southeastern’s services.
• Working with Directorates across the business to understand their priorities and develop and deliver effective and engaging communications activity to protect and enhance their and the business’ reputation.
• Working collaboratively with the Head of External Communications and wider Executive team in the event of a ‘crisis’ scenario. Developing and delivering the company’s key messages to ensure the company is seen to be  professional, effective and compassionate.  
• Determining and delivering the company ‘lines-to-take’ and key messages when responding to press and other stakeholder enquiries and being the company spokesperson on national, trade and local TV, broadcast and print media.
• Managing the media engagement compartment of the External Communications budget efficiently and effectively.
• Representing the company at cross-industry and external meetings and events which are relevant to media and PR generally.

 The Ideal Candidate

To be successful in this role, candidates need to demonstrate the below in their application:

• You have professional corporate communications experience with a proven track record in journalism and/or public relations including making complex, technical or financial information understandable to a mass audience.
• You have strong experience in written communications – with a focus on attention to detail.
• You have a proven ability to use modern techniques – particularly making best use of multi-media content to tell an effective and engaging story.
• You are experienced in decision making and problem solving in a high pressure and high-profile environment.
• You have demonstrable experience of crisis communication and change communication affecting a national brand.
• You have experience of managing several projects simultaneously within agreed deadlines.
• You have proven experience of working on major communications projects.
• You have experience in devising and delivering communications strategies.
• You have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• You have proven experience in conducting broadcast television and live radio interviews in a high pressure and hostile environment - often dealing with complex operational matters/technical data. (Desirable)
• You have media contacts in London and the South East of England. (Desirable)
• You have experience of working in a communications role within the public transport service sector. (Desirable)
• You have experience of working in a communications role for a private company with responsibilities to shareholders. (Desirable)
• You have experience in developing external communications collateral such as award entries, website, poster copy and internal communications. (Desirable)

As proud members of the Armed Forces Covenant and Disability Confident Scheme, we will offer you an interview if you apply under these schemes and meet the minimum criteria for the role. Find out more here. 

Other things to know

• This vacancy may close early if we receive a large number of applications. So, make sure you get yours in early.
• All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references, a right to work verification, a basic criminal record check, and a pre-employment medical assessment. Work visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role.
• If you applied but weren’t successful in getting a similar role at Southeastern, please wait six months before applying again.

Find out more about our recruitment process and get tips to help you apply.

What you’ll get in return

Along with your salary, the rewards you’ll get include:

• a final salary pension
• 25 days annual leave allowance (plus bank holidays)
• free rail travel across our networks.

Meaning you can feel secure in your career as well as fulfilled by your work. Click here to see our full range of amazing benefits.

A bit about Southeastern

We’re one of Britain's busiest train operators, serving London, Kent and parts of East Sussex. We run over 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 500,000 passengers and serving 180 stations.

However, working on our railway is more than getting passengers from A to B. It’s about all the little moments that make a difference to their journey.

It’s also about making our railway a great place to work. With a team that represents the communities we serve. This is a journey we’re fully committed to and we’re proud to have been named a ‘Great Place to Work’ at the 2023 National Rail Awards and endorsed as a WORK180 Employer for Women.

Our ways of working are what we expect of everyone at Southeastern. They are powerful. Tiny moments, every day, from every one of us, add up to massive, positive change. Improving how it feels to work here and how it feels to travel with us.

Learn more about our railway and what we achieved in 2023.