Media Relations Director, Group

Media Relations Director, Group 
Location: Cardinal Place London / Flexible

Competitive salary + 30% bonus + company car or allowance + Private medical + 10% pension 

At Serco, we make a difference every day. Across the UK and Europe, over 50,000 of our colleagues deliver vital public services that shape lives and strengthen communities. From Defence and Transport to Health, Immigration and Justice, we operate at the heart of public life. Now, we’re looking for a Media Relations Director to help us tell our story — clearly, confidently, and with impact.

This is a high-profile, senior position responsible for both reactive media handling and proactive media engagement across Serco Group and the UK & Europe Division. You’ll play a key role in shaping how we are perceived — by the media, the public, and our stakeholders — helping to build trust, enhance our reputation, and promote recognition of the vital work we do.

You’ll be at the centre of Serco’s external communications, reporting directly to the Group Director of Communications. You’ll lead on media relations strategy, oversee incoming press enquiries, and identify and deliver proactive storytelling opportunities across traditional and digital media channels.
You’ll work closely with senior leaders across the organisation and build strong relationships with journalists, government press offices, and other external stakeholders. As a senior leader in our communications function, you’ll also collaborate with colleagues across internal comms, marketing, and investor relations to ensure consistent, aligned messaging that supports our wider business goals

Key Responsibilities

•    Develop and lead comprehensive media strategies across all channels to support business and communications objectives
•    Act as the lead point of contact for all media enquiries across Group and the UK & Europe Division
•    Deliver compelling, proactive media campaigns — with a strong focus on internal human-interest stories that showcase the people behind our services
•    Provide expert advice and judgement to senior leaders on all media handling matters
•    Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and key external stakeholders
•    Support financial communications in collaboration with the Head of Investor Relations and financial PR agencies
•    Monitor media coverage and social channels, ensuring timely responses to issues and opportunities
•    Rebut inaccurate or misleading coverage swiftly and effectively
•    Maintain and lead crisis communications protocols & be part of the out-of-hours media relations on-call rota
•    Track and evaluate media campaigns against agreed targets and KPIs
•    Stay ahead of emerging media trends and tools, driving innovation and continuous improvement

What You’ll Bring

•    Proven experience in high-profile media relations, including managing complex or sensitive issues, ideally in a complex business or public sector equivalent
•    A strong track record of delivering proactive media coverage, particularly human interest and people-focused stories that generate positive recognition
•    Excellent judgement, writing, and editing skills — able to shape complex information into clear, compelling messaging
•    Strong understanding of digital and traditional media channels
•    Ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with national media and key stakeholders
•    Experience advising and influencing senior executives coupled with a collaborative, flexible and proactive approach to working across a matrixed organisation
•    Political awareness and a strong grasp of current affairs
•    Willingness to travel as needed and participate in out-of-hours duty rota

What we offer 

•    A competitive base salary
•    Up to 30% bonus 
•    A company car or car allowance 
•    Private medical for you and a partner
•    10% matched pension 

All Serco employees must ensure that their current line manager is aware of their application.  For confidential enquiries please contact MyHR. Serco are Disability Confident Leader employers and are committed to employing and retaining people with disabilities.  Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.