Senior Media Relations Manager

Southern Water•Worthington, MN

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Our purpose is to provide water for life to enhance health and wellbeing, protect and improve the environment, and sustain the economy. We’re at a pivotal point in Southern Water’s transformation, as one five-year investment period ends and we embark on our largest delivery programme yet, with an ambitious plan to double investment over the regulatory period 2025–30. As Senior Media Relations Manager, you will play a vital role in supporting the delivery of our Corporate Affairs strategy as Southern Water continues its transformational journey. Working directly with the Executive Team, senior leaders, and Corporate Affairs colleagues, you will lead the press office function to deliver proactive and reactive media relations that enhances and protects Southern Water’s reputation. This is a senior, high-profile role requiring strategic thinking, exceptional judgement, and the ability to operate confidently under intense media and political scrutiny.

Requirements

Demonstrable experience in leading and line managing a busy, high-performing press office team.
Experience in managing external communications agencies and associated budgets to deliver impactful campaigns.
Significant experience in media relations, ideally within a press office or agency environment.
Strong understanding of the regional media landscape and significant experience engaging with national media.
A track record of success in media management – proactive in news management and handling of journalists and editors before and after publication, including effective rebuttals and corrections.
Experience of working within organisations under intense media, political and activist/campaigner scrutiny, and of managing media over controversial, polarised or contested topics.
Confidence and gravitas in journalist handling, and when advising CEOs and senior executives on high-profile media issues.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and powerful, succinct quotes/lines to take.
Journalistic savvy and instinct: able to anticipate news flow and areas of journalistic challenge.
Clear headed and calm under pressure, exhibiting consistently sound judgement
Strong relationship building skills – with internal stakeholders, counterparts in trade associations or Government/agencies, and with journalists and editors.
Able to interpret media sentiment and translate insights into actionable strategies and media handling plans.
Disciplined in evaluation of press office activity - measuring and reporting on media impact using relevant tools and metrics.
A proactive problem-solver with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues swiftly and effectively.

Nice To Haves

A deep understanding of the water industry and experience within regulated sectors.
Experience of having worked in the media.

Responsibilities

Lead and line manage the press office function, managing day-to-day media relations and acting as a primary point of contact for key journalists.
Develop and deliver a rolling programme of proactive media engagement that influences and educates customers and stakeholders and builds positive sentiment.
Monitor and analyse media coverage, using metrics to demonstrate progress and inform future strategy.
Provide expert counsel on regional media dynamics and advise on messaging to maximise impact.
Respond swiftly and effectively to media enquiries, ensuring accurate and timely information is shared.
Manage reputational issues and crisis communications, leveraging strong media relationships to mitigate risk.
Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment of messaging and support integrated communications campaigns.