Media and Communications Manager - London

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Based in our vibrant London office, the successful applicant will fulfil an important role driving external communications, including leadership of the Press Office. You will be at the forefront of telling WSP’s exciting story and will report directly to the UK Head of Media and Public Affairs.

The Media and Communications Manager will focus on building WSP’s profile in the UK by proactively identifying, generating and delivering external communications, utilising all forms of press/media, social Media and wider PR techniques to highlight WSP’s business priorities and enhance its reputation and brand to our B2B and wider audiences.

As a world leading multi-disciplinary professional services consultancy, WSP supports a range of significant projects across the built and natural environments. We provide engineering, planning and design services to public and private sector clients in the transportation and infrastructure, property and buildings, earth and environment, power and energy, resources and industry sectors, as well as a strategic advisory offering. Our communications priorities align with these areas, and we seek to enhance key themes such as net zero, adaption and resilience and ESG.

As directed by the UK Head of Media and Public Affairs, this key role will be support the delivery of the UK Media & Public Affairs strategy in the context of WSP UK business strategy.

You will manage our UK Press office, which is an in-house external communications function made up of a tight-knit team of specialists. The role holder will supervise two staff members (PR Officer and Social Media Executive).

In addition, you will engage in wider external communications planning and advocacy to support business growth, raising the profile of the business externally to build strong relationships and partnerships, attract talent and win work.

• Liaising and pitching to national and trade media, proactively securing comment, journalist interviews and feature opportunities
• Producing press releases, drafting articles and other communications/PR materials
• Handling regular press office enquiries and incoming requests from media
• Maintaining an understanding of the business structure, business lines and corporate issues and implementing into press/media content
• Responsibility for reporting coverage and metrics to key internal stakeholders
• Delivering daily media alerts and monitoring WSP mentions in all forms of media, assessing risk and opportunities
• Supporting the UK Head of Media and Public Affairs on non-Business as Usual comms and in circumstances where crisis communications are required in accordance with the business Crisis Communications Strategy

Social media:

• Managing the work of the Social Media Executive and weekly Social Media schedule
• Overseeing content creation, design and publication of posts from WSP corporate social media channels.
• Ensuring that external communications activity is supported appropriately across social media channels
• Using relevant software tools/assets to track and report social media metrics
• Supporting social media content schedules for Executive Board members
• Liaising with the WSP Global Social media team as reaction to global content as required
• Conducting regular social media training sessions for the business.

Other

• Alongside the Public Affairs Advocacy Manager, manage the external Communications Agency support to the whole team
• Act as supervisor for all press office staff, working closely with Public Affairs Advocacy Manager to support whole team outputs and support to wider MarComms initiatives.
• Support the UK Head of Media and Public Affairs with the delivery of Media training for EXCOM and senior leaders within the business
• Establish a network of contacts throughout the business and assist them in their media relations requirements as required for project milestones, client communications requests, media training etc.

• Are an experienced and ambitious Communications Manager, ideally with experience of managing a busy press and media function
• Know how to deliver a comprehensive programme of proactive Media and social media engagement in national, regional and trade press.
• Have experience contributing to a planned, budgeted, integrated Media and Communications strategy that supports key business objectives, with regular reporting on its performance.
• Have a sound understanding of reputational & risk issues in relation to external comms/media
• Appreciate the strategic importance of high-quality external communications towards the delivery of a corporate business strategy
• Are enthusiastic about keeping stakeholders informed about relevant news and driving positive opportunities for media exposure.

Essential:

• A degree or equivalent education in a relevant discipline and/or proven work experience
• Professional background within a Communications agency or business in-house function
• Experience pitching to and working with journalists from broadcast, print/online media
• Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to distil technical information and present in a way which will appeal to media
• Exceptional stakeholder management and collaboration skills
• An understanding of how tone differs for press releases, commentary, statements and opinion pieces
• Confident and helpful manner when liaising with journalists and internal colleagues
• Ability to lead a fast-paced Press Office function, working collaboratively with the whole Media and Public team & also the Internal Comms and Marketing/Brand teams as required

DESIRABLE:

• Experience working in a corporate communications function within a large national or multi-national business
• Experience using platforms such as Monday.com, Microsoft Teams and Sprout Social
• Experience managing LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts
• Experience using media monitoring and tracking software (such as Cision)

• Work-life balance?

WSP recognises that work is only one part of your life and making time for other things is important – whether that’s for your families, friends, or yourself.

Our hybrid working policy allows the flexibility to work from the comfort of your own home as well as collaborating in our contemporary offices across the UK.

• Inclusivity & Diversity?

We want our people to achieve rewarding careers, bringing their whole selves to work. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.

Our employee resource groups VIBE (LGBTQ+ employees), CREED (Championing Racial Equality and Ethnic Diversity) and our Gender Balance Group, in tandem with WSP’s Neurodiverse Community Group, WSP Connect Group (visible and non-visible disabilities) help us promote the right environment for you to reach your full potential.

• Health & Wellbeing?

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Med24 gives you and your family unrestricted telephone access to an NHS doctor where you can call day or night or have a face-to-face video consultation.

• Flex your time?

For improved work life balance, WSP offers the “WSP Hour” which enables you to take one hour per day to do as you wish and make up the time earlier or later that day. We also offer part time and flexible working arrangements plus the option to flex your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

• Your development?

We appreciate that development and training is important to you and that’s why we have a supportive environment that invests in your development, whether that’s chartership, training or mentoring.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.

Please note WSP reserves the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date.

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