Main duties and responsibilities

Media relations and content development

• Identify, research and write news, feature stories and social media content including research, teaching, student experience and community activity, and work with colleagues to develop them for external audiences through written and digital content (such as video, graphics and imagery).
• Pitch stories effectively to relevant outlets and manage relationships with journalists and broadcast producers to generate coverage.
• Monitor and respond to breaking news and media enquiries, and contribute to reputation management and crisis communications activity.
• Support senior colleagues and spokespeople, including preparing for interviews with messaging and scripts.
• Respond to routine media enquiries, identifying and escalating complex, sensitive or high‑risk issues as appropriate.

Proactive PR and campaigns

• Contribute to proactive communications campaigns through media pitching activity, targeting relevant regional, national and trade outlets.
• Lead the delivery of press activity for campaigns, announcements and events, including coordinating timings, approvals and supporting materials.
• Monitor news agendas and media trends to help identify opportunities and risks for the University.

Issues, risk and reputation support

• Assist with reactive press handling and issues management, including out-of-hours rota duties where required.
• Ensure that all press and PR activity reflects legal, regulatory and ethical requirements, including data protection, copyright and equality considerations.

Relationship management and internal liaison

• Build effective working relationships with colleagues across the University, including academics, professional services teams and students, to support press activity.
• Liaise with external stakeholders such as journalists, press offices at partner organisations, and sector bodies, under guidance from senior colleagues.
• Provide clear advice to internal stakeholders on media processes, timings and expectations.

Team and departmental contribution

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Communications & Engagement to ensure alignment between press activity and wider communications.
• Contribute ideas and insight to team planning discussions and continuous improvement of press processes.