Lead Media Manager

We are on the lookout for a Lead Media Relations Manager to join our Group Communications team. You will be a senior leader in the Press Office, responsible for protecting the brand’s reputation through timely, effective and accessible media engagement. You'll develop impactful proactive media strategies and manage sensitive issues with sound judgement.

You approve local media enquiries and supplier press releases to ensure accuracy, consistency and alignment with central messaging. Collaborates closely with the Group Communications team to represent Tesco confidently in the media and support a strong sector-wide Share of Voice.

You will be responsible for:

Supporting the Head of Media with day‑to‑day Press Office operations.
Handling reactive media enquiries with accurate, timely responses.
Approving local media responses for consistency and alignment.
Creating clear, effective communications plans and press materials.
Monitoring news and responding quickly to emerging stories.
Shaping coverage by promoting key messages and protecting reputation.
Pitching proactive stories that deliver strategic, positive coverage.
Working with Group Communications and wider teams on media issues and opportunities.
Building strong relationships with key journalists.
Managing filming requests and overseeing in‑store and on‑site shoots.
Providing out‑of‑hours support on the on‑call rota.
Upholding high standards of integrity and due diligence.

Supporting best‑in‑class Press Office operations by:

Assisting with procurement for media monitoring services.
Tracking news trends to spot risks and opportunities.
Horizon‑scanning for emerging issues.
Contributing to campaign evaluation reports.
Managing external stakeholders and reviewing supplier releases.

You will need:

Operational skills

Excellent written and verbal communication, with clear and accurate messaging.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Proven ability to work at pace, manage deadlines and stay composed under pressure.
Strong news judgement and understanding of political, media and stakeholder landscapes.
Skilled at identifying reputational risks and effective mitigations.
Solid knowledge of the media landscape, ideally including the retail sector.
Ability to build trusted relationships with journalists.
Able to turn complex information into clear, accessible media content.
Collaborative, can‑do approach with strong prioritisation skills.

Relevant experience (concise)

Experience in a busy press office or newsroom.
Handling high volumes of reactive media enquiries.
Drafting, reviewing and editing press materials for tone and accuracy.
Delivering proactive media activity and measuring results.
Building strong relationships with national, local and trade journalists.
Managing agencies and working with external stakeholders.
Developing internal stakeholder networks.
Experience managing proactive campaigns and budgets (desirable).

What's in it for you:

We’re all about the little helps. That’s why we make sure our Tesco colleague benefits package takes care of you – both in and out of work. Click Here to find out more!

Annual bonus scheme of up to 20% of base salary
Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays)
Private medical insurance
26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (after 1 years’ service) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay, we also offer 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave
Free 24/7 virtual GP service, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and your family, free access to a range of experts to support your mental wellbeing

About us:

Our vision at Tesco is to become every customer's favourite way to shop, whether they are at home or out on the move. Our core purpose is 'Serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day'. Serving means more than a transactional relationship with our customers. It means acting as a responsible and sustainable business for all stakeholders, for the communities we are part of and for the planet.

We are proud to have an inclusive culture at Tesco where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. At Tesco, we not only celebrate diversity, but recognise the value and opportunity it brings. We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued, and make sure that all colleagues are given the same opportunities. We're a big business with diverse working patterns and many business areas which means that we can find something that works for you. Everyone is welcome at Tesco.

We have recently announced that we will be moving towards a more blended working week – combining office and remote working. Our offices will continue to be where we connect, collaborate and innovate. Please talk to us to about how this can work for you.

NOTE: Should you be successful in your application, your offer will be subject to and conditional upon you providing your bank account details on your agreed start date.

We're proud to have been accredited Disability Confident Leader and we're committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer, please visit https://www.tesco-careers.com/accessibility