Senior Manager, Media Relations - Global Communications
| Posting date: | 19 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 18 April 2026 |
| Location: | Manchester, M2 3AE |
| Company: | KPMG UK |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 108716 |
Summary
About KPMG International
Together with more than 276,000 colleagues in 138 countries throughout our member firms, people at KPMG imagine big ideas and bring solutions to life for clients both big and small. A role with KPMG International will open a world of opportunity in your career.
KPMG International helps set the strategy and protects the reputation of this global organization of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We deliver value to our member firms and drive positive change in the communities we serve. By joining us you will gain a unique understanding of how a global organization operates and work on projects that impact the whole organization. From setting standards and best practices to developing innovative tech- enabled solutions for clients, you'll be part of a global team changing the way our business operates. We look forward to welcoming you to our team.
About this Global Group
The world is facing significant social, economic and technological change. As businesses increasingly embrace the concept of stakeholder capitalism, KPMG recognizes that our success is not solely defined in financial terms. Our purpose, to inspire confidence and empower change, defines a broader contribution that encompasses not just the commitment we make to our people and KPMG’s current and future clients but also wider society and the future of professional services.
Corporate Affairs is at the heart of this work. We identify the people and actions that help shape, promote and protect the reputation of KPMG. We work with all those - internally and externally, directly or indirectly - who influence our reputation and who we must listen to, and constructively engage with, if we are to achieve our trust and growth ambition.
This is why KPMG has brought together a team of experienced professionals from across public affairs, ESG and communications. Together, we form the Global Corporate Affairs Function. Working with colleagues in member firms across our network, we are on a journey to transform the way we engage with all those people who influence our reputation.
About this Team
Global Communications consists of three specialism-based teams: Strategic Communications (which is comprised of three pillars: the Global Reputation Campaigns and Programs team, the Media Relations & Issues Management team and the Social Media team), Internal Communications, and Leadership Communications.
Role summary
An exciting opportunity to drive external communications approaches and activities to protect and enhance the firm’s reputation, and support its Trust and Growth ambitions.
This role will drive proactive media relations activity for the firm, working with the wider communications function to deliver proactive campaigns mix, as well as supporting on issues management and crisis response. Working as part of a talented team, they will take ownership for media relations for key areas of our business, developing proactive activity to enhance our reputation and commercial priorities. They will also work with senior leadership to build media profile and generate positive media coverage for the firm. The candidate will be proactive and creative, with great understanding of the media landscape and social media channels.
This is a challenging global role that will involve day-to-day liaison with KPMG leadership, national firms and key global third parties. All outputs and activities must be to the highest possible standards and the successful candidate will need to display exceptional communication and influencing skills, as well as a keen sense of business acumen and professional judgement.
Key Accountabilities
Create and execute media relations plans and content that address the full range of external channels:
- Work with senior stakeholders to create impactful media campaigns linked to the firm’s growth strategy.
- Drive firm wide reputational campaign activity, working closely with Communications and Corporate Affairs leadership, as well as collaborating with colleagues across the function.
- Develop earned media plans and messages, engaging directly with media where appropriate.
- Respond to media interest in our business and be confident to gather the facts and respond within tight deadlines.
- Be a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders and provide both proactive and reactive media relations advice and strategic counsel.
- Creating and executing media engagement programs for senior leaders.
- Develop content and related communications including writing articles, blogs, podcasts, interviews, and videos for key campaigns.
- Provide guidance on social media channels and approach, working with Social Media team.
- Stakeholder communications where appropriate: regulators, alumni, clients, analysts, alliances.
- Enable the business to measure and understand the impact of communications campaigns, self-serving on measurement and AI tools.
Build relevant expertise and relationships (e.g. with journalists with global reach) to maximize impact of external outreach.
Enhance market profile and reputation
- Collaborate with leadership to build and deliver KPMG’s external messaging to key target audiences.
- Identify and support communications opportunities to build KPMG’s reputation, including attendance at key events, social media, thought leadership and industry associations.
- Respond quickly to press queries and juggle multiple issues without missing deadlines.
- Create opportunities out of third-party activity and identifying proactive media relations activities.
- Lead on and support on key campaigns and activity in support of our reputation.
- Develop and implement thought leadership projects based on the key client topics aligned with KPMG’s global business priorities.
- Build and manage a network of relevant global media relationships across key business areas.
Issues management
- Lead and support on issues and crisis response as required, including developing key messages, media statements, and aligning with member firms on KPMGI positioning, as well as navigating, and managing to effective outcomes for the firm.
- Advise senior leadership, member firms and others on issues management.
- Be part of the core crisis management team as required, and lead on working teams when a crisis may arise.
- Proactively defend KPMG’s reputation by horizon-scanning to anticipate where the organization may need to prepare and/or take action.
Internal ‘network’ collaboration
- Work closely with and collaborate across our big 9 member firms (and wider member firms) to get their engagement and adoption on global communications activities to help drive consistency across the market, as well as share best practices.
- Identify and leverage programs and resources in key countries which can be tailored/elevated into the Global program.
- Develop strong relationships across Global Corporate Affairs and Global Marketing for effective integrated campaigning.
Evaluation and ROI
- Responsible for ongoing evaluation of media relations activities to help inform future decisions and activities.
- Bring new approaches to reporting, monitoring and analyzing media coverage.
- Responsible for meeting set KPIs for key projects and programs, and regularly report results to demonstrate value and ROI.
Experience / Knowledge / Qualification
Please list the technical skills required to perform this role
- Communication skills
- Writing skills
- Excellent media relations skills
- Social media and digital skills
- Project management skills
- Business acumen
- Using generative AI to improve communications outputs
Description of level of Qualifications
Please specify program/ certificate/ degree required (if applicable)
- Diploma or undergraduate degree preferably in a communications related qualification.
Experience/Knowledge
Please describe below experiences/knowledge required:
- A communications professional with at least seven years of experience (minimum of three years at the level of Manager or above).
- Ability to work hand-in-hand with other parts of the KPMG business to deliver campaigns, including marketing, public affairs, digital, strategic and internal communications.
- Extensive experience of working with senior leaders in large, complex organizations.
- Evidence of an ability to spot issues-led media opportunities ahead of time.
- Ability to produce rapid reaction statements in response to media enquiries.
- Comfort advising senior stakeholders with often competing demands.
- Willingness to innovate, challenge the norm and status quo and bring fresh thinking to the team
- Be a role model for junior staff, coaching and supporting them to meet their career aims.
- Strong influencing and communication skills to act professionally, calmly, and persuasively when dealing with key internal stakeholders.
- Ability to travel internationally as required – this would be limited.
Willingness to work flexible hours as required – connecting and collaborating with colleagues in different time zones.
Agile/Flexible Working
At KPMG International, we are supportive of helping you to achieve a balance between your home and work demands. We are happy to discuss individual requirements and our range of flexible working arrangements could be of interest. Please ask to find out more.
KPMG International's commitment to inclusion & diversity
At KPMG International, we recognise that we need inclusion and diversity to be successful. We want to attract, retain and develop diverse talent at all levels. This means recruiting from the widest pool of talent across our network and beyond, removing barriers that can prevent our people from reaching their full potential, and fostering a fully inclusive environment which empowers everyone to bring their whole selves to work.
Applying with a disability
KPMG International is proud to be an inclusive place to work and we are committed to ensuring that you are treated fairly throughout our recruitment process. Should you be successful after the initial application stage, please discuss any reasonable adjustments that you may require with your recruitment contact.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme