Role title:
Media Manager
TPR grade & pay group:
Business Lead – 5
Directorate:
Strategy, Policy & Analysis
Salary:
£75,099 per annum, plus excellent benefits package
Contract type:
Permanent
Location:
Brighton / hybrid (6 days per month in the office)
Closing date:
18 March 2026
The Role And Responsibilities
As Media Relations Manager, you'll play a central role in shaping how The Pensions Regulator engages with the media and protects its reputation. You'll lead a high‑performing team of media officers and speechwriters to deliver proactive, strategic and evidence‑driven communications that tell the story of how TPR protects savers, enhances the pensions system, supports innovation in savers' interests and responds to a rapidly changing landscape of fewer, larger schemes.
You'll work closely with the Head of Public Affairs, providing trusted counsel and deputising as needed — including at Executive Committee and directorate‑level forums. You'll collaborate across Strategy & Communications to help shape TPR's external communications strategy, ensuring our narrative is clear, confident and aligned with organisational priorities.
You'll oversee impactful media engagement, strengthen our social media presence, support senior leaders through high‑quality briefings, and ensure speeches and presentations enhance TPR's visibility and influence. You'll embed evaluation at the core of your work, using insight and data to continuously improve how we communicate.
This role is ideal for an experienced media professional and leader who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, enjoys leading and developing teams, brings strategic clarity under pressure, and wants to shape narratives that directly impact outcomes for millions of savers.
This Role Is Ideal For Someone Who
* Thrives in a fast‑moving environment where priorities can shift.
* Enjoys building high-performing teams and leading and supporting others to do their best work.
* Wants to make a positive difference to savers and the wider pensions system.
* Builds trusted relationships and works collaboratively to get the best results.
* Communicates confidently and with impact to influence industry behaviour and the wider debate.
Essential Criteria
* In‑depth knowledge of media‑handling, public relations and best practice, gained through significant experience in a fast‑paced media environment.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy, data and evidence into clear, compelling content.
* Experience leading, motivating and developing high‑performing teams, with strong planning and quality‑assurance skills.
* Skilled in influencing and persuading internal and external stakeholders.
* Strong understanding of media and PR monitoring, evaluation and analytics to demonstrate impact and continuously improve.
* Ability to identify and analyse reputational risks as well as spot opportunities for the organisation and shape media‑handling strategies in response.
* Strong understanding of social media and its role in managing an organisation's public profile and influencing behaviour.
* Experience producing high‑quality verbal and written briefings for senior leaders, including Board, CEO and Executive Committee.
* Knowledge of pensions or financial services is desirable.
* Experience working in a press office within an arm's‑length body or central government is desirable.
The team
The Public Affairs team is at the heart of TPR's external communications, helping to shape how the organisation is understood by journalists, strategic stakeholders and industry influencers. The Media team ensures TPR's voice is clear, evidence‑based and trusted, telling the story of our work to protect savers, enhance the pension system and support innovation in savers' interests.
TPR Offers
* Genuine opportunities for learning and development.
* A values‑led, inclusive environment.
* Hybrid working and flexible shift patterns.
* A vibrant workplace supported by active employee networks (Disability, Family, LGBT+, Minority Ethnic, Mental Health, Women's).
Reward And Benefits
We offer 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, hybrid working, a 35‑hour week (full‑time), flexible working patterns and flexitime. We also provide competitive parental leave and a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. Our benefits portal (Edenred) provides a wide range of discounts, plus cycle‑to‑work and other schemes.
Our culture
TPR is dedicated to being a high‑performing, inclusive organisation where people can thrive. We emphasise learning, development and flexibility, and our modern Brighton workspace is designed with accessibility at its core.
We are proud of our supportive staff networks, inclusive culture, and commitment to diversity, equality and wellbeing.
About The Pensions Regulator
With a career at TPR, you'll join an organisation with a clear purpose — protecting more than £2trn of pension savings. Our Corporate Strategy sets out an ambitious vision for how regulation must evolve as the pensions landscape changes. We are committed to diversity, good decision‑making, and ensuring our work delivers positive outcomes for savers.
Applications
To avoid disappointment, we recommend submitting your application as early as possible. We may close the vacancy once we receive a high volume of applications.
Current TPR employees should speak to their line manager before applying.
We welcome applications on a part‑time or job‑share basis.
Selection and interview
If shortlisted, we will contact you shortly after the closing date. Due to high volumes, we may not respond to all applicants individually. If you haven't heard from us within 21 days of applying, please assume your application was unsuccessful.
As a Disability Confident Employer, candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria will be offered an interview (subject to high‑volume criteria).
Diversity and inclusion
TPR is committed to diversity, inclusion and equality in the workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Further information
Visit our website to learn more about working at TPR, our culture and our recruitment process.
If you have any questions or require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact
.