Communications and Engagement Manager - News and Media

This is a chance to join a multi-award-winning team, telling the story of a dynamic city-region at the cutting edge of English devolution. In this role, you'll work closely with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, as well as the Chief Executive and directors of the GMCA, the Chief Fire Officer of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and the leaders and chief executives of the ten councils here.

You'll provide specialist news and media support, working with local, national and international media to deliver reactive and planned media coverage. You'll move between diverse projects, from supporting the Mayor with national broadcast interviews and press conferences to developing creative media plans which highlight our trailblazing policy initiatives. You'll work on stories that have a real impact on our residents from major fire and rescue incidents to transport improvements, our plans to end the housing crisis and a pioneering new technical education route.

You'll ensure that the GMCA's work and the devolved powers and responsibilities which underpin it are understood by our colleagues, partners and the public. This will involve building strong relationships with policy teams to gain a deep understanding of their innovative work and using storytelling skills to explain it in an engaging way. You'll draw on a broad network of contacts in both traditional/legacy and digital/social media to secure high-profile coverage for our pioneering work.

Reporting to the Senior Media Manager, you'll line manage two Senior Communications and Media Officers, supporting their professional development and providing day to day guidance, direction and pastoral care. You'll also contribute to the smooth running of the News and Media team, helping manage workloads and always looking for opportunities to improve our ways of working.

Join us to be part of a high-performing, forward-thinking team dedicated to making a positive impact for the city-region.

Key responsibilities

• Provide expert news and media advice and delivery for colleagues in other parts of the Communications and Engagement team as well as policy officers and political leaders (including the Mayor).



• Handle reactive enquiries in an effective and timely manner, maintaining high standards of accuracy and strong editorial judgement.



• Proactively look for opportunities to raise awareness through news and media of the GMCA's mission and delivery of its Corporate Plan and the Greater Manchester Strategy.



• Build and maintain effective relationships with key regional, national and international media outlets (both traditional and digital).



• Line manage Senior Communications and Engagement officers, regularly setting and reviewing objectives, conducting appraisals, building positive team dynamics, supporting wellbeing and ensuring all work is delivered to a high standard.



• Translate complex ideas and information into clear and compelling pitches and content, while handling sensitive information appropriately.
  
  The ideal candidate will have substantial experience of working in or with the media and be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of how national and regional newsrooms and news cycles work in both traditional and digital outlets.


You'll have a great eye for a story and a strong network of national media contacts. Brimming with ideas and creative spark, you'll be skilled in turning complex ideas and information into creative pitches which secure high impact multiplatform coverage.

You'll be curious and adaptable, with high levels of personal integrity and a strong commitment to public service. As a leader, you'll bring our values to life, empowering those you manage, working collaboratively and lending a hand whenever its needed. You will lead and inspire a team to both deliver and develop their own skills.

You'll be comfortable in a complex and fast paced environment with high levels of public and media scrutiny. You'll have a good understanding of local government and sound political awareness and be able to deliver excellent advice and content, maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and quality. Experience dealing with complex stories and investigative/data journalism would be an advantage.

Your knowledge and experience

• Specialist knowledge of how to approach and engage effectively with the media, developed in a political or media environment, and underpinned by theory and experience.



• Experience of developing, pitching and delivering news and media output which meets a strategic goal and evaluating the effectiveness of this work.



• Knowledge of how to provide the best tactical support for media activity - including for complex programmes or issues.
  
  As an employer, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is made up of a number of key Greater Manchester strategic functions and service providers including; Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS); Waste and Resources; Environment; Work and Skills; Research; Public Sector Reform; Police, Crime and Criminal Justice; Homelessness; the Greater Manchester Ageing Hub and the Commissioning Hub.
  
  In return for your hard work, we offer our employees a competitive package as part of our offer that you can find out more about here