Media Relations Officer
Join to apply for the Media Relations Officer role at Heriot‑Watt University.
Grade: 6, Salary: £31,236 – £36,636 per annum. FTE: 12 months fixed‑term, 1FTE, 35 hrs per week. Flexible working options available.
Holiday entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 university‑closed days (including Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday).
Purpose of role
To implement and drive the Communications Team strategy and deliver operational plan outputs. The main purpose is to support and promote university research, education and partnerships to media outlets and external stakeholders locally, nationally, and internationally. The role holder is the port‑of‑call for journalist queries and staff communications advice, utilising best practice to maximise the university’s reputation.
Key duties and responsibilities
* Manage relationships with media and stakeholders to promote the university and safeguard its reputation.
* Develop content to maximise reach, influence and engagement with strategically important stories.
* Work with the Corporate Communications Manager and the wider team to plan and promote research, education and business activities to external stakeholders.
* Identify and promote stories on the university’s strategic priorities in collaboration with press, academics and professional services staff.
* Place university stories in regional, trade, national and international media, and support social media content and campaigns.
* Produce regular media, social media and external communication reports to develop and enhance the overall communications strategy.
* Build strong relationships with key journalists, social media contacts and external stakeholders relating to the university’s external communications strategy.
* Respond to incoming media calls and arrange media interviews for academics and staff.
* Log incoming media enquiries across diverse subjects.
* Collaborate with communications and marketing colleagues in the Dubai and Malaysia campuses.
* Contribute to other university public‑relations activities as required (e.g., events, speeches, publications, internal communications, website and social media content, video shoots, budget monitoring, administrative tasks).
* Perform other reasonable duties as requested by the university.
Education, qualifications and experience
* University degree or equivalent relevant experience.
* Prior experience in a press office, public affairs team or similar environment.
* Evidence of creating media strategies and communication campaign plans.
* Experience and passion for producing written content.
* Experience with content management systems.
* Ability to work independently and lead initiatives on own initiative.
* Knowledge of industry best practices.
Essential skills
* Excellent written and oral communication skills.
* Ability to translate key messages into compelling narratives.
* Capacity to work autonomously under pressure and to deadlines.
* Decision‑making and prioritisation skills.
* Creative thinking and idea communication.
* Attention to detail and quality of work.
* Team‑working skills.
* Positive attitude and problem‑solving ability.
* Influence colleagues upwards and laterally.
* Experience of digital platforms (web, social media).
* Experience using content management systems for web editing.
* Organisational skills.
* Proficiency in MS Office.
Desirable (not essential)
* Professional qualifications in media, public relations or public affairs.
* Knowledge of higher education.
* Experience writing stories for national and international media.
* Experience creating digital and social media content, including video.
About Heriot‑Watt University
Heriot‑Watt University is committed to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all sectors, particularly from under‑represented groups. For more information, see our equality and diversity pages on the university website.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted by midnight on Monday 03 November 2025. Please submit your CV and covering letter via the Heriot‑Watt online recruitment portal. We welcome flexible working patterns, part‑time work and job‑share options.
We welcome applications from all sectors of society. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and our award‑winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/.
Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to view benefits.
Join us and thrive at Heriot‑Watt University.
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