Keen to make the headlines…want to be part of the biggest news and social media stories relating to medicines and medical equipment? Then working for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and joining our award-winning news and media team is for you!
Within a week of working here, your day could look like this: taking a call from a national print journalist about weight-loss jabs; liaising with the in-house expert to put together press lines on a major safety issue; writing a news release and producing a video for social media about faulty diabetes home testing kits. The next day, you could be organising a press conference about our work regulating devices using AI.
From medicine recalls to faulty pacemakers, you will be dealing with some of the most exciting health stories in the media. You will work with the media to help inform patients, the public and our stakeholders about the regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
We are currently looking for a News and Issues Management Lead to join our Communications and Engagement Function within the Enablement Group .
This is a full-time opportunity, on a 12-month fixed term contract/internal move or temporary promotion basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.
We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Our successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Extensive knowledge and experience of working in a busy press office or media relations role in a large, complex, expert organisation.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of leading on the response to fast-breaking, high-profile news stories, to deliver business objectives and enhance reputation.
• Experience of evaluating traditional media content and social media to assess performance and inform business decisions.
• Excellent written, editorial, social media engagement and oral communications skills with a strong, proven understanding of what makes a good news story and interesting, accessible content.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills both written and oral, with the ability to develop good working relationships and influence journalists, social media influencers and senior managers, dealing with conflict and challenge in a calm, measured way.

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!
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THE SELECTION PROCESS:

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here .

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
• Test, further information will be supplied when you reach this stage.
• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of candidates demonstrating that they have e xtensive knowledge and experience of working in a busy press office or media relations role in a large, complex, expert organisation, and leading on the response to fast-breaking, high-profile news stories, to deliver business objectives and enhance reputation.
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

WHAT’S THE ROLE?

Manage the agency’s profile and reputation on high profile, sensitive and day-to-day news and issues affecting the organisation and its remit confidently with the media and social media, responding to media enquiries as well as promoting, explaining and justifying its scientific expertise and wider contribution to public health and science nationally and globally.
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- Implement and deliver effective news and issues management strategies at pace, developing and nurturing media and social media contacts, responding quickly and accurately to breaking or negative news stories to limit potentially damaging coverage and drive the agency’s reputation, evaluating outcomes and results.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Proactively and creatively initiate, lead, develop and implement news and issues management strategies that supports the business priorities and culture change set out in the agency’s business and corporate plans.
• Anticipate the emerging news agenda and lead on high-profile and sensitive media issues to manage the reputation of the agency and respond quickly and accurately to breaking or negative stories to limit potentially damaging media and social media coverage. Write, edit and publish content to style for our websites, using a content management system.Produce and oversee high-quality handling plans that include reactive lines to take, press releases, potential risks, core scripts, briefings and Q&As and consider the use of shareable social media content, ensuring work aligns and integrates with strategic communications priorities and narratives.
• Develop, build and nurture professional relationships with journalists and social media influencers based on honesty, authority and credibility and stay up to date on media / social media trends. Work closely with others in the Communications and Engagement group and with senior managers across the agency to advise on media handling and to develop appropriate plans. Act as an agency spokesperson, displaying authoritative, clear and sensitive briefing to the media on agency issues. Participate in a 24-hour media on-call rota.