Are you a dynamic, self-motivated and delivery-focused media relations professional with a proven track record of delivering high-impact and high-value earned media coverage? Are you an experienced media handler with a history of developing strong media relationships across a wide range of outlets?

If so, Nesta is looking for a strong communications professional with a passion for media relations to join us as Senior Media Manager, where you will use your expertise to use the media as a key channel in building Nesta’s influence, profile and impact.

About Nesta

We are Nesta. The UK’s innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale new solutions to society’s biggest problems, changing millions of lives for the better.

We confront challenges that affect millions of people, from chronic childhood inequality to ill-health and the climate crisis.

We believe that innovation is more possible now than ever before. We see opportunities to mobilise citizens and influence behaviour. A wealth of private and public capital that can be used more creatively. Pools of data to mine.

And so we draw on these rich resources by bringing together multidisciplinary teams: data scientists, designers and behavioural scientists, practitioners at the frontline, academics; and people with lived experience.

Together, we design, test and scale new solutions to society’s biggest problems. We partner with frontline organisations, build new businesses and work to change whole systems. Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to put ideas to the test.

About this exciting opportunity

Working as a key part of the audiences team, this is a hands-on role that combines the tactical delivery of media activity with the strategic planning that is required to build Nesta’s media profile, protect our reputation and position us as an organisation that is a world leader in driving innovation for social good. This will involve leading on the development and delivery of a mainly UK media and PR plan that supports our mission and brand objectives. You will also be expected to:

• Be accountable for excellence for media outputs, across press releases and idea generation
• Develop and implement crisis management media strategies and rebuttal as required
• Write influential op-eds and blogs for a variety of media platforms
• Identify, develop and maintain relationships with key media and internal and external stakeholders
• Support colleagues in the Nesta communications team by guiding and supporting their media outreach, and by acting as a source of expert advice on media for the rest of the organization.

What we are looking for

You will have extensive experience of media relations with a track record of delivering high impact earned media coverage. You will be experienced in supporting senior leaders and spokespeople with briefings and tactics on handling the media so that key messages are prominent and landed in media coverage. You will also have excellent judgement, and be confident in dealing with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

An impressive communicator, you will have exceptional writing skills and the ability to tailor and edit communications for a range of different audiences. Strong networking, relationship-building and prioritisation skills are vital, as is an interest in at least one of Nesta’s Mission areas and in social innovation more broadly.

Making an application

To apply for this role, please submit your application before 8:00am on the 8th of March 2021.

Interviews will take place w/c 15th of March 2021.

At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.

We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you would like to explore.