Media Relations Executive

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Media Relations Executive

🔹 Company: M&G plc

🔹 Location: London, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Financial Services

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-24

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Supporting M&G's media team in building and managing the firm’s reputation with the media and key external stakeholders.
• Developing and implementing PR programs and strategies to promote M&G's business and expertise.
• Liaising with departments across the business area to identify media and corporate opportunities and risks.
• Acting as an external spokesperson for M&G.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication skills, media experience, and the ability to manage multiple projects.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Contribute to the development and implementation of the overall External Integrated Communications strategy.

✅ Devise and implement PR programmes and strategies in various media to support M&G’s business plans and proactively promote the firm.

✅ Liaise with departments across the business area to identify media and 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.

✅ Provide high quality presentational advice and media handling to M&G employees to ensure accurate reporting of key announcements and issues.

✅ Research and write press releases, speeches, briefings, presentations, articles, Q&As, and other communication materials.

✅ Help to organise and attend interviews, visits, and events.

✅ Work with the Media Relations Manager to understand and identify the potential wider impact of issues and develop responses to media issues.

✅ Act as company representative at press briefings and external events.

✅ Work with the wider Corporate Affairs team and across the 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 with thorough measurement and media tracking.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of communication with both internal and external stakeholders, requiring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work under pressure.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Communications, Journalism, or a related discipline)

Experience: Proven experience in media liaison, with a strong background in drafting press materials and managing media inquiries.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience of day-to-day media liaison and confidence in dealing with and briefing journalists in all formats.
• 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.
• Well organised with good time management skills. Able to manage multiple projects.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• 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.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the financial services industry.
• Familiarity with the UK media landscape.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in a similar role within the financial services industry may have an advantage.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum (based on industry standards for a role of this level in London)

Benefits:

• Competitive pension scheme.
• Private medical insurance.
• 25 days' holiday (plus bank holidays).
• Flexible working arrangements.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Occasional out-of-hours duties may be required.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level in London. Actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Financial Services. M&G plc is a leading savings and investments business serving around 5.5 million retail customers and more than 800 institutional clients.

Company Size: Medium (501-1,000 employees). This size allows for a more personal work environment with opportunities for growth and development.

Founded: 2002. M&G plc has a rich history and a strong brand in the financial services industry.

Company Description:

• M&G plc offers a range of financial products and services through Asset Management, Life and Wealth.
• The company's purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work.
• M&G plc operates with the behaviours of telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity.

Company Specialties:

• Business Intelligence and Analytics
• Digital Marketing
• Human Capital Management
• Robotic Process Automation
• Chatbot Deployment
• Social Media Management
• Artificial Intelligence
• Business Transformation
• Finance and Actuarial
• Research and Strategy
• Technology
• Risk and Compliance
• Customer Service
• Internal Audit

Company Website: www.mandg.com

ASSUMPTION: M&G plc is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the financial services industry. Its size and history provide a stable work environment with opportunities for growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level. This role offers opportunities for growth and development within the Corporate Affairs and Brand function.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Media Relations Manager, who has responsibility for media engagement conducted by the Life business.

Work Arrangement: On-site, with occasional out-of-hours duties as on-call press officer.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression within the Corporate Affairs and Brand function.
• Broadening of skills and experience through working on diverse projects and campaigns.
• Potential to take on more responsibility and leadership roles as the team and business grow.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the Corporate Affairs and Brand function. Candidates should be proactive and eager to take on new challenges to make the most of these opportunities.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office environment with a mix of open-plan and private workspaces.

Office Location(s): Prudential House, Central Avenue, Hiranandani Business Park, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076, IN

Geographic Context:

• Mumbai is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and is the financial, commercial, and entertainment capital of India.
• The office is located in the Hiranandani Business Park, a modern and well-connected business district.
• The company offers flexible working arrangements, including work-from-home options.

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Occasional out-of-hours duties may be required.

ASSUMPTION: The office environment is professional and collaborative, with opportunities for growth and development. The location in Mumbai provides access to a vibrant and dynamic business ecosystem.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and CV screening.
• Phone or video screening with the HR team.
• Face-to-face or video interview with the hiring manager and a member of the HR team.
• Final interview with the Head of Media Communications.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Media relations experience and understanding of the UK media landscape.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritise workloads.
• Cultural fit and alignment with M&G's values and behaviours.

Application Tips:

• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Demonstrate your understanding of M&G's business and the role's requirements in your application.
• Prepare examples of your media relations experience and how you've handled challenging situations.

ATS Keywords: Media Relations, PR, Communications, Journalism, Press Releases, Event Organisation, Stakeholder Management, Crisis Communications, Reputation Management, Media Measurement, Corporate Campaigning, Media Training

ASSUMPTION: The application process is designed to assess candidates' communication skills, media relations experience, and cultural fit. Candidates should be proactive and demonstrate their understanding of the role and M&G's business in their application.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Media monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24, or similar)
• Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, or similar)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or similar)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard in the communications industry. Candidates should have experience with these tools and be comfortable learning new technologies as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Telling it like it is: Open, honest, and transparent communication.
• Owning it now: Taking responsibility and accountability for our actions and decisions.
• Moving it forward together: Collaborating and working together to achieve our goals.
• With care and integrity: Acting with empathy, respect, and professionalism in all our interactions.

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a focus on collective success.
• Agile and adaptable, with a willingness to take on new challenges and learn continuously.
• Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality work.

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with M&G's value of telling it like it is, and how have you demonstrated this in your previous roles?
• How comfortable are you working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and how have you handled changes and new priorities in the past?
• How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, both internal and external?

ASSUMPTION: M&G plc values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates should be comfortable working in a collaborative and agile team setting. Candidates should also be able to demonstrate their alignment with M&G's values and behaviours in their application and interview.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Dealing with complex financial and organisational information and communicating it effectively to various stakeholders.
• Working with tight deadlines and managing out-of-hours duties as on-call press officer.
• Navigating the UK media landscape and building relationships with journalists and other external stakeholders.

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth and development. Candidates should be proactive, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Media Relations Officer or PR Executive, but with a broader scope and more responsibility for proactive corporate campaigning and thought leadership.
• In the UK financial services industry, this role is comparable to similar positions in other asset management or life and pensions companies.
• Career progression from this role could lead to a Media Relations Manager or similar position within the Corporate Affairs and Brand function.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in proactive corporate campaigning and thought leadership within the financial services industry. Candidates should be proactive and eager to take on new challenges to make the most of this opportunity.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a proactive media campaign to raise the profile of M&G's Life business and its spokespeople.
• Managing a crisis communication situation, such as a negative media story or reputational risk, and developing strategies to mitigate the impact.
• Organising and attending a press conference or media event, and acting as a spokesperson for M&G.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to illustrate the types of tasks and responsibilities that the Media Relations Executive may be required to undertake. Candidates should be proactive and demonstrate their ability to handle these types of projects in their application and interview.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does this role fit into the broader Corporate Affairs and Brand function, and what opportunities are there for growth and development?
• What are the key challenges facing the Life business, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
• How does M&G support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the work-life balance like in this role, and how does M&G support work-life balance for its employees?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company. Candidates should be proactive and use these questions to demonstrate their interest and engagement with the role and the organisation.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Prepare examples of your media relations experience and how you've handled challenging situations.
• If you are invited to interview, be prepared to discuss your understanding of M&G's business and the role's requirements.
• Follow up with the recruiter, Martyn Jack, after your interview to express your interest in the role and ask any remaining questions.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.