The Opportunity

Ellwood Atfield is delighted to have partnered with Electrical Safety First (ESF) to recruit for a Senior Media Relations Executive.

Electrical Safety First is the UK’s leading charity on electrical safety, and they regularly work with the media, government, businesses, and electrical industry to make sure that everyone in the UK can use electricity safely. They campaign on issues including product safety from e-bikes to e-scooters, product recalls and registration, housing standards, the importance of using registered electricians as well as the risks associated with counterfeit electrical goods. They do this by raising awareness with the public through consumer awareness campaigns and working with politicians and stakeholders to ensure Government is doing all it can to keep people safe from electrical accidents.

The Senior Media Relations Executive will develop and deliver national media campaigns with consumer safety at the heart, proactively ideating ambitious traditional media campaigns. You will be a self-starter, enjoy pitching to and forming new relationships with national broadcast, print and online journalists. You will also draft press releases & articles, undertake desk research, analyse consumer research and produce media coverage reports.

The role will be hybrid, working both remotely and in their central London office. You will report into the Media Relations Manager and will benefit from working with an enthusiastic team who relish group success. The salary offered is up to £37,500.
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Key Responsibilities

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• Develop and deliver joined-up consumer and trade media campaigns, including story ideation and development through analysis of key data, such as fire & rescue stats, commissioning & analysis of consumer research, speaking with colleagues across ESF and external stakeholders.
• Drafting of press releases, articles and spokesperson’s briefings. Helping rehearse spokespeople ahead of media interviews.
• Selling in original and reactive stories to national, regional and trade journalists, following up as required.
• Proactively work to secure coverage that helps influence government, stakeholders and consumers.
• Liaise with stakeholders’ press teams, such as Fire and Rescue Services, insurance companies and other safety charities, to extend the reach of our consumer campaigns and to manage and form closer relationships.
• Independently and proactively formulating new relationships with journalists and other key members of the media, whilst working with the Media Relations Manager to maintain existing relationships.
• Respond rapidly to Government, legislation or product safety developments that are key to the charities campaigning goals.
• Respond to inbound media requests, often liaising with colleagues in Technical, Policy & Public Affairs or Communications.
• Sourcing and working with case studies professionally and sensitively, especially as some subject matters can involve traumatic issues, such as home fires.
• To liaise with external suppliers, as required.
• Collating and circulating daily media clippings to colleagues.
• To be aware of and manage risk, as appropriate to the responsibilities of the role.
• To comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety policy.
• Undertake allocated duties outside of the workplace when required and agreed upon, at exhibitions, conferences, seminars and other events only as agreed.
• Undertake any other duties, as required by the Head of Communications or Media Relations Manager.

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Person specification

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• Previous experience in a similar proactive media relations role, in-house or in agency
• Previous experience in campaign and story development
• Ideally, previous experience working in a campaigning organisation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• An ability to independently identify story and newsjacking opportunities
• An ability to form relationships, both internally and externally
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To apply, please submit your CV through this advert. If you require any further information on this role, please email Josh Hill on josh.h@ellwoodatfield.com, quoting the reference PR/007036.

Ellwood Atfield is the leading headhunter for corporate affairs, communications, policy, and advocacy. An employee-owned boutique search firm, we help you hire the most senior leaders and everyone who reports to them. We promise to connect talented people, smoothly and efficiently.

Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are an equal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession to ensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.