Senior Executive, External Affairs (Media and Reputation) Specified Purpose Contract

Job description

JOB DETAILS The Senior Executive, External Affairs (Media & Reputation) plays a key role in strengthening how Ibec is represented, understood and trusted across media and other public-facing environments. The role supports the delivery of high-quality media engagement, executive visibility and public profile activity that reinforces Ibec’s authority, relevance and reputation nationally and internationally. Working within the Positioning, Reputation & Issues team, the role helps turn agreed positioning into effective media and visibility outputs by supporting journalist engagement, preparing strong materials for senior spokespeople, coordinating profile-building opportunities and contributing to reputation support in live environments. It plays an important role in ensuring Ibec’s public voice is clear, timely, well-presented and aligned with wider organisational priorities. This role is offered on a specified purpose contract to cover maternity leave. The closing date for applications will be 2pm on 16th September 2026. ABOUT THE ROLE Media Engagement Draft media statements, quotes, press releases, Q&A materials, briefing notes and other public-facing media content. Support the preparation of materials for interviews, panels, events and public appearances. Manage inbound media queries and coordinate timely, accurate and well-judged responses. Liaise with journalists, editors and media contacts as directed by senior colleagues. Support proactive media engagement activity and help maintain strong working relationships with priority outlets. Ensure media outputs are aligned with agreed positioning, messaging and organisational priorities. Visibility, Reputation & Public Profile Coordinate visibility opportunities linked to public announcements, campaigns, reports, events and other external moments. Support executive profiling and commentary opportunities for the CEO and senior leaders. Prepare talking points, profile notes, background briefings and external messaging for senior spokespeople. Support profile-building initiatives that strengthen Ibec’s authority and public relevance. Provide reputation support in live public environments by helping prepare rapid lines, aligning outputs and supporting timely response handling. Help ensure public-facing outputs are clear, credible, polished and professionally delivered. Media Monitoring & Insight Monitor and provide analysis of media coverage, public commentary and relevant external channels to track Ibec visibility and profile. Provide regular summaries of coverage, commentary and media activity to the External Affairs team and relevant internal stakeholders. Highlight media opportunities, coverage trends and public profile developments requiring follow-up. Maintain media logs, coverage trackers, visibility reports and related performance information. Support learning on what is landing well externally and where media activity can be strengthened. Reputation & Issues Support Support the public-facing execution of reputation management activity in live or sensitive environments. Help prepare reputation-sensitive materials linked to commentary, interviews, statements and other external outputs. Support consistent messaging and disciplined external communication during high-profile or fast-moving moments. Work closely with the Positioning & Issues role to ensure issue framing and public-facing execution are aligned. Contribute to coordinated handling of public moments where media visibility and reputation considerations intersect. Content Creation & Editorial Support Draft short-form and medium-form content including statements, press materials, op-eds, website copy, blogs and commentary support. Edit and refine content for clarity, accuracy, tone and public readability. Work closely with colleagues across External Affairs and the wider division to ensure outputs are aligned and well framed. Maintain high editorial standards across all media-facing and visibility-related material within scope. Help ensure that content supports visibility, authority and consistency of voice. Cross ‑ Organisational Collaboration Work closely with Policy, Lobbying & Global Affairs, Strategic Engagement & Thought Leadership, Marketing & Brand, Digital and relevant sector teams. Ensure media-facing outputs reflect agreed positioning and wider organisational priorities. Support integration of media work into wider campaigns, initiatives and public engagement activity. Build strong internal relationships to source information, context and subject matter input quickly and effectively. Support coordination across teams during media moments, profile-building activity and major public interventions. NOTE: This list is not exhaustive but serves to reflect the nature of the duties included in the role. Given the nature of the organisation and the need to respond to members’ needs on an ongoing basis, the role is subject to change over time. ABOUT YOU Qualifications Significant experience in media relations, communications, public affairs, journalism, reputation management or a related role within a complex public, policy, representative or membership-based organisation. Demonstrated experience supporting media engagement, preparing press materials and briefing senior spokespeople. Strong understanding of the media landscape, news cycles and public discourse. Experience working in fast-paced and reputationally sensitive environments, supporting both reactive and proactive communications activity. A relevant third-level qualification in communications, journalism, public relations, political science or a related discipline is desirable, or equivalent professional experience. Key Skills Strong media relations capability, including handling inbound queries and supporting proactive engagement. Excellent drafting skills for media statements, reactive lines, press releases, briefing notes, Q&A and commentary support. Strong writing and editing ability, with a clear instinct for tone, framing and public readability. Ability to prepare high-quality materials for interviews, events, commentary and public appearances. Strong media monitoring and external scanning skills, with the ability to identify risks, opportunities and patterns early. Understanding of reputation management in live, high-profile or sensitive environments. Ability to maintain message discipline and consistency across multiple outputs and teams. Experience coordinating commentary opportunities, executive profiling and visibility planning. Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines under pressure. Effective collaboration across policy, campaigns, brand, digital, sectors and senior leadership teams. Personal Characteristics Calm, measured and dependable, particularly in fast-moving or reputationally sensitive situations. Strong judgement and discretion when handling sensitive material, public issues or executive-facing content. Clear and confident communicator with strong attention to accuracy, quality and detail. Proactive and responsive, with the ability to anticipate needs and act quickly when required. Collaborative and relationship-focused, comfortable working across multiple teams and stakeholders. Professionally credible and well organised, with a strong sense of responsibility for outputs. Committed to maintaining Ibec’s credibility, consistency and professional standards in all public-facing work. Why us? Ibec Core Competencies Bias towards action Collaborative - work together as 'one Ibec'. Dynamic - approach initiatives with careful planning, energy, drive, and resilience. Decisive - make clear, well-informed decisions. Member and Customer Focus Agile and Adaptive - embrace change and be adaptive to members' needs and in ambitious situations. Creative and Innovative - not afraid of dynamic thinking in finding solutions. Curious and Critical Thinking - open minded and proactive in gathering data in developing opinions. Drive and Personal Leadership Ambitious - driven and can take responsible risks. Accountable - committed to highest standards and takes ownership of actions. Continuous Improvement - proactive on personal and professional development Ibec is an equal opportunity, and inclusive employer is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for potential and existing employees with a disability. Should you wish to request a reasonable accommodation please email Kenny at