Job Description

Job title: Head of Media Relations – 10/11 month fixed term contract
Grade: Level 2
Directorate: Communications
Reports to: Director of Communications
Location: London

Purpose of the job

1. To develop and co-ordinate media relations strategy and oversee the GMC’s
media relations work across the UK.

2. To ensure the GMC’s work is promoted in a positive, balanced and well

informed way and that its reputation is protected and enhanced, by ensuring that:

• the GMC responds in a timely and effective manner to external comment,

events and initiatives which have an impact on our functions and
responsibilities

• the context in which medical regulation operates is fully understood by key

opinion formers and journalists

• opportunities to influence public debate on regulatory matters are identified

and fully explored

• sensitive media matters are handled appropriately

Main responsibilities of the job

3. Provide advice and support across the GMC on media relations and the
formulation of responses to the media.

4. Provide media support and briefing material to the President, Council

Members and Senior Executives as appropriate and in coordination with the Director
of Communications.

5. Identify media risks and opportunities and ensure they are discussed at an
appropriate level within the organisation.
6. Ensure that, where appropriate, the GMC view is accurately represented in
the media and misrepresentations are corrected.

7. Work with colleagues in policy making and operational teams to ensure they
understand the media risks and opportunities in their work and that they are dealt
with appropriately.

8. Advise on the handling of sensitive media issues in an appropriate manner,

referring upwards wherever necessary.

9. Act as a media spokesperson, where appropriate, and in coordination with the

Director of Communications.

10. Oversee and co-ordinate the development of media briefings and lines to take
for circulation across the GMC.

11. Ensure that media events such as press conferences, briefings, or other
media engagements are conducted appropriately and in line with communications
objectives.

Management

12. Line manage the Media Relations Manager – working closely with other
members of the Directorate and the heads of office in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

Budgets

13. Oversee the production of the media team budget in conjunction with the
Media Relations Manager.

Other duties

14. This post will sometimes require irregular working patterns at very short
notice.
Key skills

Job title: Head of Media Relations

Grade: Level 2
Directorate: Communications
Reports to: Director of Communications
Location: London

Technical skills

1. Substantial experience of managing a busy press office in a high profile

organisation.

2. Substantial experience of developing media strategy for a wide range of policy

areas appropriate to all levels of media – national, regional and local.

3. Demonstrable experience of identifying media risks and opportunities and

advising on their handling at a very senior level.

4. Substantial experience of developing media briefing documents and leading

media briefings for very senior staff.

5. Substantial experience of acting as a spokesperson and briefing national

journalists and representatives of trade journals.

6. Demonstrable experience of handling sensitive media issues in an

appropriate manner.

7. Experience of running high level media briefings.

Management skills

8. Experience of managing a busy media office and understanding the

challenges of inspiring and leading a team when under intense pressure.

9. A record of leadership and performance management, which encourages

talent and innovation to flourish.

10. A record of advising very senior figures on appropriate responses to media

challenges and organising those responses.

11. Sensitivity and discretion in handling personal information.

Interpersonal skills

12. The ability to facilitate good working relationships with colleagues across the
organisation.

13. The possession of the diplomatic skills and tact required to balance competing
interests of policy and communications staff.

14. The ability to interact with people at all levels both within and outside the GMC
in both formal and informal situations.

15. Experience of influencing people and the credibility required to work with a
range of senior level journalists.

Communication skills

16. The post requires excellent written communication skills with the ability to
write clear, concise and accurate plain English. Experience of writing briefs and
reports is essential.

17. The post holder must also be able to present arguments verbally in a fluid and
persuasive manner. They must also be able to lead and contribute effectively in
meetings at a variety of levels both internally and externally.

Organisational skills

18. Self-motivated with the ability to innovate, take personal responsibility for
specific projects and operate at a senior level.

19. The ability to work to tight deadlines while retaining a high level of accuracy
and attention to detail.

20. The personal organisational skills required to manage a wide variety of issues
simultaneously.

Problem solving and innovation

21. The post holder must be able to demonstrate the ability to think and act
strategically, developing practical innovative and creative solutions to the
management of strategic and often complex issues and problems.

22. To be part of working groups and cross-functional teams to support

continuous improvement across the organisation.
Terms and Conditions

Job title: Head of Media Relations - 10/11 month fixed term contract
Grade: Level 2
Directorate: Communications
Location: London

The following terms and conditions apply to this post:

Salary range: £58,382 to £76,850 a year, with an exceptional maximum

of £86,754.

Annual leave: 30 days a year. You are required to use up to two of

these days should the GMC decide to close its offices
over the Christmas holiday.

Normal retirement age: 65

Pension: Membership of the GMC Staff Superannuation Scheme.

This is a final-salary scheme which is contracted out.
Members of the scheme pay a contribution of 5% of
salary through a salary sacrifice scheme. You will be
eligible to join the pension scheme as soon as you start
work at the GMC.

Health care: Private medical insurance care with AXA PPP

Healthcare.
Health checks with BMI Health Services.
Employee Assistance Programme with AXA ICAS.

Hours of work: Monday to Friday, 35 hours a week.

Location: 350 Euston Road, London NW1. Some travel to other

locations will be required.

A no smoking policy is in operation and members of staff are not permitted to smoke
in any of the GMC’s buildings at any time.