Head of News and Issues Management
hace 12 horas
Hemel Hempstead
Job Description We are currently looking for a Head of News and Issues Management to join our Communications and Engagement Function within the Enablement group. This is a full-time opportunity, on a Fixed Term Contract to 31 st August 2026 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. Please note that there might also be a requirement to travel to South Mimms, Herts or other locations as appropriate. 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? The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. The MHRA Communications and Engagement Group is a multi-award-winning team that has a consistent track-record of achievement and providing value for money. Our focus is to support the agency to deliver its business outcomes by putting patients and the public at the centre of all our work. We are organised in the following teams: News & Media, Communications, Patient and Public Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Experience. This role is in our News and Media team. The news and issues management team handles high-profile, sensitive and day-to-day news and issues affecting the organisation and its remit. It also handles daily media enquiries. What’s the role? • Develop, lead and 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, promoting, explaining and justifying its scientific expertise and wider contribution to public health and science nationally and globally., • Lead effective news and issues management strategies at pace, developing and nurturing senior 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., • Generate, lead, deliver and evaluate news and issues management strategies that supports the business priorities and culture change set out in the agency’s business and corporate plan and act, if required, as communications account director for an agency group., • Provide news and issues management communications advice to senior leaders, including the executive committee and chief executive., • Produce high-quality handling plans that includes reactive lines to take, press notices, potential risks, core scripts, briefings and Q&As and considers the use of shareable social media content, ensuring work aligns and integrates with strategic communications priorities and narratives, understanding the impact and reach of the news and issues management communications and using insight to shape them further., • Extensive knowledge and experience of running or taking a lead role in a high-profile press office, including news and issues management., • A strong, proven understanding of news, issues and reputation management and interesting, accessible content., • Excellent written, editorial, social media engagement and oral communications skills., • Proven leadership and management skills, able to demonstrate experience of leading multi-functional units in a complex organisation, including motivating and developing staff, and managing their performance., • Communicatingand Influencing (A, I, P), • Delivering at Pace (I), • Leadership (I), • Extensive knowledge and experience of running or taking a lead role in a high-profile press office, including news and issues management, to deliver business objectives and enhance reputation in a large, complex, expert organisation. (A, I), • Confident (I), • 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., • Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being supplied when you reach this stage., • Extensive knowledge and experience of running or taking a lead role in a high-profile press office, including news and issues management, to deliver business objectives and enhance reputation in a large, complex, expert organisation., • Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens, • Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings, • Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required