Media Relations Executive

Job Description

At M&G our purpose is to help people manage and grow their savings and investments, responsibly. As a business, we are continuing to take steps towards a sustainable future, delivering better long-term solutions for our customers and clientsand identifying new opportunities to make a positive impact for our environment and communities . To help us achieve our vision were looking for exceptional people who live our values of care and integrity and who can inspire others; embrace change; deliverresults and keep it simple. We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer work place accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role. Focusing primarily on a designated business area this role will assist the Media Relations Manager in building and managing the firms reputation with the media, third parties and other key external stakeholders. It will contribute to the creation and deliveryof the of the External Relations strategy and focus on developing, planning, and managing all external communications. It will assist in protecting and promoting M&Gs corporate reputation and brand values amongst key external audiences and to provide strategic communications consultancy to the business. The prompt identification and management of reputational risks and corporate issues of public interest is a key requirement linked to the minimise negative media coverage and comment on M&G and its subsidiaries correcting any inaccuracies in a timely manner,where possible. This role requires the jobholder to work primarily with a designated business area spending a significant amount of time with that area to develop your understanding and build relationships. The jobholder will also be expected to act as an external spokespersonfor M&G. Key accountabilities for this role:

• To contribute to the development and implementation of the overall External Integrated Communications strategy that utilises a range of communication vehicles and mediums.
• With the direction of the Media Relations Manager, devise and implement PR programmes and strategies in the trade, regional, national, and broadcast media to support the delivery of the M&Gs business plans and to proactively promote M&Gs business andexpertise - identifying potential stories and news hooks.
• Liaise with all departments across your business area - both external and internal facing - to identify media and broader corporate opportunities and risks and advise on mitigations.
• Contribute to the development of a wider programme of proactive corporate campaigning in relation to the business, national, regional and trade press.
• To provide high quality presentational advice and media handling to M&G employees to ensure accurate reporting of key announcements and issues. Organise media training where necessary.
• Research and write press releases, speeches, briefings, presentations, articles, Q&As and other communication materials.
• Help to organise and attend as necessary: interviews, visits, and events.
• Working with the Media Relations Manager to understand and identify the potential wider impact of issues and develop responses to media issues.
• To respond efficiently to media enquiries, developing strategies and lines to take to ensure balanced presentation and taking swift and effective action to rebut inaccuracies.
• Act as company representative at press briefings and external events, including but not limited to conferences and sector events.
• Work with the wider Corporate Affairs team on and to deliver specific projects and activities as directed by the Media Relations Manager or Senior Media Relations Manager.
• Work with colleagues within Corporate Affairs and across the wider business to support and promote the activities of the Department.
• Perform out-of-hours duties as on-call press officer in line with a rota agreed within the team.
• Evaluate the success of media activity by reviewing coverage generated for each project or campaign or associated KPIs and contributing to broader evaluation metrics.
• Apply planning prioritisation and project management disciplines.
• Manage all activity to time and to budget.

Key knowledge, skills, and experience:

• Proven experience of day-to-day media liaison, and confidence in dealing with and briefing journalists in all formats - face-to-face, orally and in writing.
• A broad range of media relation skills, including drafting press releases, event organisation, dealing with journalists queries, acting as a spokesperson.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• The ability to assimilate complex financial and organisational information.
• Journalistic skills including drafting feature articles, identifying potential stories etc.
• The ability to establish information needs of different stakeholders.
• Well organised with good time management skills. Able to manage multiple projects.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Able to work on their initiative and as part of a team Some experience of managing budgets within pre-defined limits.
• Understanding of media measurement and evaluation techniques.
• Adapts to changing circumstances and new priorities.
• Goes out of the way to build excellent relationships at all levels.

We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G plc, underpinned by our policies and our employee-led networks who provide networking opportunities, advice and support for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. Regardless of gender, ethnicity,age, sexual orientation, nationality or disability we are looking to attract, promote and retain exceptional people. We also welcome those who take part in military service and those returning from career breaks.