Media Relations Manager

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Reports to: Communications & Marketing Director

Department: Communications and Marketing

Salary Range: £40,000-£45,000 per annum pro rata based on skills and experience

Location: London Office (Hybrid, expectation of minimum 2-3 days per week in the office)

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

About RUSI

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is the world's oldest and the UK's leading defence and security think tank. Its mission is to inform, influence and enhance public debate on a safer and more stable world. RUSI is a research-led institute, producing independent, practical, and innovative analysis to address today's complex challenges.

About the role

The Royal United Services Institute is looking for a new Media Relations Manager. This is an exceptional opportunity to take on a position that puts the role holder in daily contact with the journalists and media that shape the national and international discussion around some of the most pressing issues facing the world today.

The role holder will lead the Institute's engagement with external media and will be the owner of RUSI's media relations strategy, responsible for keeping it up to date and effective. They will serve as the first point of contact for incoming media enquiries about the Institute and its expertise and act as the lead in generating proactive interest in RUSI's work. Reporting to RUSI's communications and marketing director, the media relations manager will work closely with the wider communications team and RUSI's researchers, connecting them to the media and vice versa. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential.

The successful candidate will also need to be extremely well-organised, hardworking, and proactive to secure results and manage the exceptional level of interest in RUSI and the Institute's expertise. Ideally, they will have previous experience in a field related to RUSI's work.

Key Tasks

• Own - and keep current - RUSI's media relations strategy to effectively engage outlets relevant to, or interested in, RUSI and its work
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key media outlets, journalists, and influencers in defence, security, politics, and foreign policy reporting
• Secure coverage through pitching story ideas, news releases, RUSI research, commentaries and expertise to leading national and trade press
• Manage reactive media interest in an effective, timely manner
• Proactively pitch 'reaction comments' from experts on relevant global developments
• Maintain and develop use of the Cision platform
• Maintain and keep updated media lists through the platform
• Track impact of press releases and pitch notes shared through the platform
• Monitor, analyse and report on media coverage through Cision platform

The role holder will also expected to support the communications and marketing director and wider communications team as required on activity outside the primary responsibilities outlined above with duties that may reasonably be expected within the scope and grade of the role. E.g.: supporting colleagues in developing and implementing wider communications plans to promote the Institute's research and events.

Person Specification

Essential skills and experience:

• Strong understanding of the UK and international media landscape
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to form strong personal relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Experience in building relationships with journalists
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to distil complex information into clear and concise pitch and briefing materials for journalists
• Ability to manage competing demands and work well under pressure
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience in media relations, preferably in a think tank, NGO, government, or corporate environment, ideally with a focus on defence, security, foreign affairs, or politics
• Experience in generating and implementing effective communications plans as part of a wider team

Our expectations

We expect all staff to abide by and promote our RUSI's Vision and Values https://rusi.org/content/values and Equal Opportunities Statement

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (rising with service)
• Additional days off during Christmas - RUSI Christmas closure days
• Generous pension contributions at 6% employer contribution,
• Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Season ticket loan
• Access to free access to RUSI's world leading programme of events and conferences, research materials and library
• Weekly staff lunch in our London office (one day a week)
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders
• *Enhanced sick pay
• *Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

*Depending on length of service

Equal Opportunity and Values

At RUSI you will be appreciated and valued. Our stakeholders, transactions, and projects are international and diverse, so we work hard to create inclusive teams that support our efforts and each other. We are committed in promoting equality and diversity in our workforce and employment practices and take reasonable steps not to unfairly discriminate in any way in our recruitment practices. We therefore encourage you to apply regardless of your socio-economic background, ethnicity, sexual preference, gender, or physical disability.

Application Process

To apply, please click on the apply button and follow the instructions.

• Your CV
• Cover letter outlining relevant experience and why you are interested in the role

The interview process will include: a first round of interview, after which successful candidates will be asked to complete a task, followed by a final stage interview.

The closing date for applications is Monday 13th of January 2025

First round of interviews should start from the week of 13th January - 20th January 2025

Second round / final round interviews should start from the week of 27th January 2025

Please DO NOT submit multiple applications for this vacancy. We no longer accept applications to our recruitment mailbox, applications received in our mailbox will not be processed.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the closing date brought forward if needed. Early application is encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.