· Build, nurture, and maintain strong relationships with media across national, regional, trade, broadcast and digital media, positioning Allwyn as a trusted and responsive source of information and news · Help to drive development and execution of an always-on news operation that identifies opportunities, creates exclusive content and responds rapidly to media enquiries · Contribute to the development of compelling news narratives that showcase The National Lottery’s impact and Allwyn’s transformation agenda · Oversee corporate reporting and financial communications and annual reporting, ensuring clarity, accessibility of complex information · Identify and manage reputational risks, external threats and corporate issues of public interest, minimising negative media coverage and comment on Allwyn and The National Lottery · Guide internal stakeholders on media engagement, providing strategic counsel on story development and messaging Key Accountabilities and Duties: · Build and maintain strong personal relationships with key journalists and editors across national, regional, trade, broadcast and digital media through regular contact, briefings and informal engagement · Lead on specific projects and initiatives outlined in the Corporate Communications team’s plan and giving internal briefings as required. · Help to create and maintain an editorial calendar that identifies opportunities for proactive media engagement and corporate news flow · Package corporate announcements into compelling news stories, developing multiple angles for different media audiences and oversee the creation of high-quality news content including press releases, briefing materials, fact sheets, and multimedia content that tell The National Lottery and Alwyn’s transformation story · Lead on the development and production of Allwyn’s Annual Report, financial statements and other corporate materials to include liaison with Allwyn Group on the overall financial reporting · Drive the financial communications agenda, translating corporate performance into accessible, compelling narratives for business media · Monitor media landscape for emerging issues and opportunities · Provide early warning of potential risks and managing potentially negative media enquiries and issues by gathering information and drafting messaging. · Provide strategic counsel to internal stakeholders on media opportunities and risks · Build strong relationships across the business to identify and develop news opportunities and advise on mitigations. · Develop and maintain clear positions on key issues, ensuring consistent messaging across all media engagement. This will include with the policy and public affairs specialists to devise strategies and responses to political announcements. · Guide senior executives on media handling, including provision of strategic counsel and support for interviews and media appearances · Oversee media monitoring and evaluation, providing regular analysis of coverage · Perform out-of-hours duties (including monitoring external draw communications) as on-call press officer on a rota and ensure effective out-of-hours cover · Responsibility of the line management of a small number of team members and drive continuous improvement in capabilities and performance · Oversee specific relationships with key suppliers and agencies Requirements · Experience of developing, planning, executing and achieving communications strategies and objectives, and of campaigning in the media. · Outstanding news judgment and editorial instincts, with demonstrable experience of creating compelling media stories and content across all platforms · Extensive and demonstrable knowledge of the media, and its potential to influence and affect other stakeholders. · Proven track record in day-to-day media relations, with exceptional ability to pitch stories, brief journalists and manage media relationships – face-to-face, orally and in writing. · Strong experience in financial communications and corporate reporting, including Group Structure reporting. · Demonstrable experience in corporate financial reporting, with experience of reporting as part of a Group structure. · Demonstrable ability to manage complex media issues and crisis communications in a fast-paced, high-profile commercial environment · Exceptional writing abilities with proven experience in creating high-impact content across multiple formats · Strong stakeholder management skills with proven ability to influence and advise senior executives. · In-depth understanding of media measurement and evaluation techniques. · Experience of managing projects and campaigns from concept to delivery in a timely and cost-efficient way. · Resilient under pressure with the ability to work flexibly in a complex and evolving operational landscape. · Track record of developing team members and creating a high-performance and motivated team. · A collaborative team-player. Benefits Discretionary bonus scheme 34 days paid leave (This includes bank holidays) 4 x Salary of Life Insurance Pension: We’ll contribute up to 8.5% BUPA £500 wellness allowance Income Protection