News and Media Relations Officer

Join a busy and ambitious press office and help shape how the University of Manchester is seen and heard. You’ll play a key role in delivering coordinated, creative and proactive media relations that support the University’s strategic objectives—spotting opportunities, pitching stories, and helping to generate impactful coverage across corporate news, campaigns, international partnerships, policy, innovation, teaching and learning, and flexible learning.

This is a varied role for someone who enjoys building relationships, working at pace, and turning complex activity into clear, compelling stories for external audiences.

What you’ll do

You will:

• Develop and pitch story ideas to secure proactive media coverage across priority themes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and relevant media outlets (print, broadcast, trade, specialist and digital).
• Write and distribute press releases, profiles, and news items, working with colleagues across the University.
• Prepare briefings and support for senior leaders for interviews and media engagement.
• Respond quickly and effectively to media enquiries, providing accurate information and advice.
• Provide guidance and informal training to colleagues (staff and students) engaging with the media.
• Help monitor media coverage and contribute to regular reporting and insight for the team.
• Support the coordination of media relations activity across the Communications and Marketing directorate.
• Help organise media visits and opportunities to showcase the University’s campus, people and facilities.

Working pattern: Out-of-hours work will be required as part of an on-call rota, and you’ll support two Saturday open days each year (with an allowance for the rota and time off in lieu for open days).

About the team

The Media Relations team sits within the Directorate of Communications, Marketing and Student Recruitment and plays a central role in building the University’s reputation and supporting the ambitions set out in the Manchester 2035 strategy. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the directorate (including Policy@Manchester, social media, research communications, and staff and student communications) and with communications colleagues in the Faculties.

What we’re looking for

We’re keen to hear from proactive applicants who can show evidence of taking initiative, spotting opportunities, and delivering effective media relations.

You’ll have:

• Practical knowledge and experience of core media relations activity and good practice.
• Significant experience in media relations, corporate communications, public relations or journalism (or closely related work).
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to tailor content for different audiences and channels.
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• The ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and respond calmly and effectively to breaking issues.
• Good IT and digital skills (including using tools to draft, distribute, and monitor communications).
• Qualifications: A degree and/or relevant professional qualification in public relations or journalism is welcome, but we also encourage applications from candidates with equivalent professional experience.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Ben Robinson

Email: ben.robinson@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.