Media Relations Manager (DRCF, Digital markets and AI)

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Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Tuesday 5 May, and therefore we advise getting your application in by no later than midnight on Monday 4 May.

Team overview

Ofcom’s mission is to make communications work for everyone. We are looking for an experienced media manager to join our busy media relations team and take a leading role in promoting the work of the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) and Ofcom’s regulatory work around digital markets and AI.

The DRCF brings together the major UK regulators tasked with regulating digital services – the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Office of Communications (Ofcom). This helps to drive greater regulatory co-operation and explore policy challenges in the digital space in a collaborative way. The role will serve all member regulators, including Ofcom.

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. We regulate services from phone and broadband to TV and radio, airwaves and the postal service. And we’ve taken on new duties to make online services safer for everyone. Our regulatory work is also fundamental in shaping the communications services of tomorrow, which are being transformed and disrupted by the rapid growth of AI.

In joining our fast-paced, welcoming and expert Communications Department, you’ll see why Ofcom was previously named by PR Week as the UK’s best place for communications professionals to work in-house.

Purpose of the Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic, well-rounded and experienced communicator with a strong news sense, a strategic eye and proven digital skills.

The role will sit within both the DRCF Core team - which is made up of secondees from the DRCF member regulators - and Ofcom’s communications team. The successful candidate will take ownership of developing and implementing a communications strategy to demonstrate the DRCF’s impact and maintain its reputation, encompassing media engagement and creative digital content. You will also take a leading role in communicating Ofcom’s future-focused regulatory work, including across digital markets and AI.

You will need shrewd judgement and initiative to shape and influence opinions in the modern news environment. You’ll be an expert in judging reputational risk, have strong networking skills, and be a consummate multi-tasker.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and delivery of the DRCF’s external communications strategy, covering media opportunities, social media activity and events.

• Help to develop and enhance the DRCF’s and Ofcom's media profile by owning and shaping a strong external narrative and managing external announcements. This includes identifying proactive and reactive opportunities to generate positive coverage and reach, building effective relationships with media and other external stakeholders, effectively responding to media enquiries, and supporting senior spokespeople in preparing for interviews.

• Manage and curate the DRCF’s website and newsletter content, working with IT/design teams as required, quality controlling the material and ensuring a positive user journey.

• Chair the DRCF’s external comms network across the member regulators to share upcoming plans and delivery milestones. Support with showcasing the DRCF’s work across member regulators through a range of internal channels including staff events, newsletters and intranets.

• Develop a strong understanding of relevant fields of the DRCF’s and Ofcom’s work, over time, becoming an expert within the team on specific policy and subject areas.

Essential Skills, knowledge and experience:

• Executing Plans: A self-starter, with excellent organisational skills, and experience in driving initiatives from start to finish in multi-stakeholder policy environments.

• Owning Accountabilities: Proven track record of managing competing priorities and independently leading and delivering effective communications strategies in a fast-moving environment.

• Articulating Ideas: Analytical and strategic mindset, able to see the wider picture and convert complex issues into plain English, through a range of communications channels to a variety of audiences.

• Excellent understanding of the requirements of journalists, with the ability to identify positive angles with media appeal.

• Quick learner, flexible and enthusiastic about working across a range of communications issues.

• Knowledge of the latest digital communications trends and techniques.

• Forming Relationships: An ability to work with others and to collaborate and negotiate confidently with senior internal and external stakeholders.

• Understanding of, or familiarity with, digital markets, the AI landscape and Ofcom or other DRCF members’ regulated industries, would be an advantage.

Inclusivity Statement

Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone.  To be able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK.  We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – no matter your social background, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a break – for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.

Where positions are listed as full-time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares, and other flexible working options. From day one, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual needs. You can read more about our Rewards, Benefits and Well-being on our careers page.

Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need adjustments, information in an alternative format, or prefer to apply in a different way, please contact us at [email protected] or call 0330 912 1378.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme here.  https://careers.ofcom.org.uk/careers/how-we-hire/