News and Issues Management Lead and News and Media Lead

Posting date:	27 January 2026
Salary:	£46,160.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£46160.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	16 February 2026
Location:	London, E14 4PU
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	K0015-26-0000

Summary

Role Description Job Title News and Issues Management Lead Pay Grade Senior Executive Officer (SEO) Location 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU. Please note that there might also be a requirement to travel to South Mimms, Herts or other locations as appropriate. Hours 37 per week (excluding lunch break) Reports to Head of News and Issues Management The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) enhances and improves the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. About the Group 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. Role Purpose Manage the agencys profile and reputation on high profile, sensitive and day-to-day news and issues affecting the organisation and its remit confidently with the media and social media, responding to media enquiries as well as promoting, explaining and justifying its scientific expertise and wider contribution to public health and science nationally and globally. Implement and deliver effective news and issues management strategies at pace, developing and nurturing media and social media contacts, responding quickly and accurately to breaking or negative news stories to limit potentially damaging coverage and drive the agencys reputation, evaluating outcomes and results. Key responsibilities and results areas Proactively and creatively initiate, lead, develop, implement and evaluate news and issues management strategies that supports the business priorities and culture change set out in the agencys business and corporate plans and play an active part in the communications account management work. Anticipate the emerging news agenda and lead on high-profile and sensitive media issues to manage the reputation of the agency and respond quickly and accurately to breaking or negative stories to limit potentially damaging media and social media coverage. Write, edit and publish content to style for our websites, using a content management system. Produce and oversee high-quality handling plans that include reactive lines to take, press releases, potential risks, core scripts, briefings and Q&As and consider the use of shareable social media content, ensuring work aligns and integrates with strategic communications priorities and narratives. Develop, build and nurture professional relationships with journalists and social media influencers based on honesty, authority and credibility and stay up to date on media / social media trends. Work closely with others in the Communications and Engagement group and with senior managers across the agency to advise on media handling and to develop appropriate plans. Act as an agency spokesperson, displaying authoritative, clear and sensitive briefing to the media on agency issues. Participate in a 24-hour media on-call rota. A recognised communications qualification is desirable. The job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the postholder. Person Specification Important Candidate information: The Civil Service has a recruitment framework called Success Profiles. Success Profiles are made up of 5 elements: Ability, Behaviours, Experience, Technical, Strengths but it is unlikely that you will be assessed against all 5. Behaviours, Experience and Technical elements will be assessed through your application form, in the first instance. Success Profile Criteria Method of assessment: A-Application, T-Test, I-Interview, P-Presentation Behaviour Communicating and Influencing - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills both written and oral, with the ability to develop good working relationships and influence journalists, social media influencers and senior managers, dealing with conflict and challenge in a calm, measured way A / I / T Behaviour Managing a Quality Service Excellent planning, project and time management skills, with ability to work on own initiative and in team to problem solve and prioritise own work according to changing business needs. I Behaviour Seeing the Big Picture - Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area. I Experience Extensive knowledge and experience of working in a busy press office or media relations role in a large, complex, expert organisation, and leading on the response to fast-breaking, high-profile news stories, to deliver business objectives and enhance reputation. A / I / T Experience Experience of evaluating traditional media content and social media to assess performance and inform business decisions A / I Technical Excellent written, editorial, social media engagement and oral communications skills with a strong, proven understanding of what makes a good news story and interesting, accessible content. A / I / T Strengths Confident You take charge of situations, people and decisions. You communicate with confidence and give direction. I Strengths Explainer - You communicate thoughts and ideas, verbally or in writing. You simplify complexities and adapt communication so others can understand. I Agency Values We focus on patients and public health. We work together with respect. We take responsibility and are accountable We create an environment where learning and innovation thrive. The Civil Service Code These core values support good government and ensure the achievement of the highest possible standards in all that the Civil Service does. You can find out more about our values, standards of behaviour and rights and responsibilities in The Civil Service Code. The code is reflected in the agencys values,which state that we will strive to be: Civil Service Values Integrity Putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests Honesty Being truthful and open Objectivity Basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence Impartiality Acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well governments of different political persuasions