Media Relations Manager

Media Relations Manager Ref: 32757 (Fixed term)

University of Sussex

Location: Brighton, UK

Hours: 37.5 hours. Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).

Salary: Grade 7 starting at £37,999 to £45,163 per annum, pro rata if part time.

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

About the role: The University of Sussex is looking for a confident, results-driven, and self-motivated communicator with a sharp instinct for news to join our media relations team in a maternity cover role. This is an exciting, high-impact role where you will proactively champion the University’s world-leading research, global impact, and diverse campus community. From uncovering groundbreaking discoveries to sharing the inspiring stories of our students and staff, you will be at the heart of Sussex’s media presence.

In this dynamic role you will craft compelling press releases, opinion pieces, and media materials that highlight Sussex’s achievements and thought leadership. Your writing will showcase the University’s strengths, ensuring its voice is heard across various platforms.

You will lead innovative media campaigns that amplify our research and institutional priorities, reaching local, national, and global audiences. By building and maintaining strong relationships with journalists and media outlets, you will position Sussex as a trusted source for expert commentary.

Providing strategic media and social media advice to senior leaders, you will help shape a forward-thinking and competitive approach. Staying attuned to the news agenda, you will proactively place academic insights in breaking stories, ensuring Sussex remains relevant and the go-to university for comment on key issues.

Handling sensitive media issues with professionalism and care, you will also collaborate closely with academics, students, and staff to identify and develop newsworthy stories. Additionally, you will track media coverage and campaign impact, refining strategies to maximize reach and effectiveness.

About you: The ideal candidate will be an experienced communications practitioner with a strong news sense, top media handling skills, and a collegiate approach to teamwork. They will have a keen ability to transform complex subject matters into engaging copy and content. To excel in this role, candidates should have proven experience in media relations, PR, or journalism, along with excellent writing, editing, and communication skills. Strong diplomatic abilities will be essential, as the role requires influencing stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes.

The ability to work under pressure and manage multiple deadlines is crucial. Candidates should also possess an expert understanding of the media landscape and digital communications. Experience across various public relations elements—including media relations, campaigns, event management, video production, and digital/social media—is highly desirable. Equally important is the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues both within the team and across the wider organization.

In addition, some out of office, evening, and weekend working may be necessary. As part of a duty rota, the post-holder will be required to respond to emergencies and/or incidents at other times outside of the core hours (i.e. evening and weekends). Compensatory time for out-of-hours work will be given.

About our Division: The CEA division is vital in contributing towards the success of Sussex. We work closely in partnership with our academic schools and other learning institutions in the UK and internationally to attract the very best students we can. Our ideas matter, that is why we work and advise on Institutional Growth Strategies to support the University in achieving positive outcomes. The life-long relationships with our global alumni and friends enable many of the gifts which allow Sussex’s research to flourish.

Please find further information regarding the division at Communications, Engagement and Advancement: University of Sussex.

Why work here: Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team, or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.

About the role Further Key Information: Please contact Jon Street (j.street@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.

For full details and how to apply see our vacancies page.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.

Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role may be eligible for sponsorship. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.

Attachments: Job_Description_Ref_32757.pdf

Closing Date: March 5, 2025 11:59 PM

Expected Interview Date: To be confirmed

Expected Start Date: To be confirmed

Fixed Term Contract Duration: FTE - 1 year Maternity Cover

Apply Link: https://jobs.sussex.ac.uk/job/158841db-b053-47f6-9fab-ab31bcc7a5db

If you are experiencing any issues using our application portal or if you require adjustments to be made to the selection process, please contact us on (01273) 873743 or recruitmentadministration@sussex.ac.uk to discuss your requirements.