Media manager, communications

The Role

We’re looking for a creative and strategic Media Manager to help shape and deliver the British Council’s external media strategy across our various business divisions; i.e. arts and culture, education and the English language. This role is central to promoting and protecting the British Council’s reputation in the UK media, while showcasing our global cultural relations work.

The Media Manager must take a proactive and creative approach to producing integrated press and digital campaigns, which raise the profile of the British Council and shine a light on different areas of our work. Supported by the Senior Media and External Communications Manager, the Media Manager will also help to deliver external communications for the British Council’s Schools activities, our work in Modern Foreign Languages, as well as our work in English and Exams.

The Media Manager is responsible for planning and delivering proactive UK media relations campaigns aligned with strategic priorities. They contribute to reputation management across UK and global networks, advise on media risks and opportunities, and support integrated communications planning. The role involves monitoring the UK news agenda, responding to media enquiries, and maintaining relationships with key journalists. It also includes providing expert guidance to internal stakeholders, applying audience insights to campaign planning, and ensuring compliance with media policies.

The Media Manager supports strategic development, manages assigned budgets, and fosters collaborative relationships internally and externally. They contribute to team operations, deputise for the Senior Media Manager when required, and engage in continuous professional development to maintain subject expertise.

• Demonstrable experience of proactive media relations or content creation to support business objectives
• Experience of developing relationships with high-profile journalists, across print, digital and broadcast media, and working with them to deliver impactful coverage.
• Experience of working with communications teams in partner organisations on joint projects to ensure that all partners achieve their communications objectives on a shared project.
• Editorial judgement
• An ability to identify and give guidance on managing reputational risks
• Experience of training and guiding senior colleagues and creative specialists on working with the media and interviews
• Have the pre‑existing, legal right to work in the United Kingdom

Applications will close at 23:59 on 20th January 2026 UK Time.

You must have the legal right to work in United Kingdom at the time of application.

Department: Communications

Contract type: Indefinite

Pay band
: 7

Salary: £30,839-£33,995 (depending on experience) plus London Market Allowance of £3,300 if London based.

Location
:
United Kingdom (All UK locations - London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, and anyone on pre-existing homeworking contracts in the UK)

Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.

British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service. This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview.