Communications Manager

The Allwyn UK Communications team’s mission is two-fold, to promote and protect the reputation of Allwyn UK as the custodian of The National Lottery, and to create excitement and a positive landscape for The National Lottery to flourish. We champion, (through our people, purpose and products), The National Lottery’s impact on the UK more broadly and its ability to change lives every day.  Whether we’re driving great news stories, delivering high-impact campaigns or getting ahead of issues and risks, we’re a passionate, proactive and high-performing team that’s always on. To join our team, we need more than simply impeccable skills, we’re looking for communications experts that match our values, creativity and mindset: a strong belief in the power of data to make better informed decisions; great content creators and storytellers who put an audience-first view at the heart of everything we do; and a creative and agile approach to impactful, integrated communications.

Role Purpose:

Reporting to the Newsroom Editor, the Communications Manager will play a key role in our always-on news operations. With a primary focus on identifying internal business moments that support the reputation and transformation of The National Lottery. Partnering with colleagues across the Communications function you will source and identify the stories that help us to build Allwyn’s reputation as a trusted operator, as well as identifying the primary channels to maximise impact. You’ll also help protect our brands, by being the eyes and ears on who is talking about Allwyn UK and The National Lottery externally, what news is trending and being quick to respond where we should have a clear voice.As Communications Manager, you will:

 Role Responsibilities:

• As part of a small team of media relations you will proactively and reactively promote and protect the Allwyn and The National Lottery brands, helping to make Allwyn and The National Lottery relevant and a prominent, positive voice in key cultural conversations
• Be the eyes and ears on who is talking about Allwyn UK and The National Lottery externally, what they are saying and counsel on whether we need to respond – and being quick to respond if necessary
• Identify – and act on – news opportunities based on strategic priorities, everyday activity and opportunities to build the Allwyn UK and The National Lottery brand – with a particular focus on our retail operations and Social Value
• Identify media and broader corporate risks and advise on mitigations. Respond quickly to negative media enquires to protect Allwyn and The National Lottery brands
• Grow and maintain relationships with relevant media and journalists, helping to maximise positive and balanced news coverage about Allwyn UK and The National Lottery
• Take an enthusiastic multiplatform, digital-first approach to sharing and commenting on Allwyn news
• Work with communications colleagues, and other stakeholders, to source, create (written or broadcast) and edit brilliant news stories that reflect our brand
• Stay up to date on journalist moves and industry trends
• Keep up to date on emerging news platforms and consider how we best engage them
• Work in partnership with our communications agency partner as required
• Assist the team in managing day-to-day admin and team planning work - such as managing subscriptions and suppliers, keeping team calendars/rotas updated, collating press cuttings, preparing weekly/monthly performance reports, etc.

We are Allwyn UK, part of the Allwyn Entertainment Group – a multi-national lottery operator with a market-leading presence across Europe which includes: Czech Republic, Austria, Greece, Cyprus & Italy.

While the main contribution of The National Lottery to society is through the funds to good causes, at Allwyn we put our purpose and values at the heart of everything we do.  Join us as we embark on a once-in-a-lifetime, largescale transformation journey by creating a National Lottery that delivers more money to good causes.  

‍We’ve developed ground-breaking technologies, built player protection frameworks, and have a proven track record of making lotteries better. 

• Innovation - We pride ourselves on it! We’re constantly looking for new ways to excite our customers, bringing new products to enjoy which is all underpinned by our responsible play values and making them accessible to all.
• Giving back – Did you know that playing the lottery generates around £30m a week for charities and good causes in the UK? Our aim is to have doubled this number by the end of the first 10-year licence
• Sustainability – Our aim to be net zero by 2030 which would make us the first lottery provider globally to achieve this
• Inclusion and accessibility – We are making all parts of The National Lottery inclusive – whether you play a game in a store or online. 

We want to create one of the UK’s most inclusive organisations – where people can bring the best of themselves, to do their best work, every day, for the benefit of good causes.

Allwyn is an Equal Opportunity Employer which prides itself in being diverse and inclusive. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or victimisation in the workplace.  All employment decisions at Allwyn are based on the business needs, the job requirements, and the individual qualifications.  Allwyn encourages applications from individuals regardless of age, disability (visible or hidden), sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

We are a Disability Confident Leader which means we’ve taken proactive steps to ensure our workplace is accessible and inclusive for disabled colleagues and candidates. As part of this we offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential requirements of the job.

If you need any assistance or adjustments to this job description or in the application process, please contact a member of the talent team at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help. 

• PR, media or journalism experience
• Relationships with media outlets, particularly regional and trade press
• Experience securing media coverage across different platforms
• Understanding of modern media consumption and current PR trends
• Good writing and communication skills
• A 'can-do' attitude with a positive, proactive mindset
• Creative thinking and storytelling ability
• The ability to work under pressure – with experience of identifying potential issues and dealing with negative media enquiries and issues
• Basic understanding of data and analytics to inform PR plans
• A hunger for finding and sharing great stories
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Energy and enthusiasm

• 26 days paid leave (plus bank holidays) 

• Annual bonus scheme 

• 2 x Life Days 

• 4 x Salary of Life Insurance 

• Pension: we’ll match your contribution up to 8.5% 

• Single Private Health Cover 

• £500 Wellness Allowance 

• Income Protection 

• Enhanced parental leave (maternity and paternity) 

• Eye Care, Dental and Cycle To Work schemes