Job Description

Role overview

Join Wates Group's Communications and Marketing team to cover the Media and External Affairs Manager during an internal secondment. The role includes managing media relations, external communications and events, and supporting thought leadership, crisis communications and stakeholder engagement, to preserve and enhance the Group's reputation.

Key responsibilities

Public and media relations

Manage media enquiries, draft press releases and monitor coverage. Build and maintain relationships with journalists and influencers. Support PR strategies to strengthen Wates's public image. Identify opportunities to position Wates as a leader in areas such as sustainability and innovation.

Agency and crisis management

Work closely with the company's PR agency. Contribute to crisis communication plans and support reputational risk management.

Thought leadership and events.

Assist in developing thought leadership content and organising roundtables. Support Group-level award submissions and the production of the Annual Review

Executive and stakeholder communications

Help raise the profile of Group Board and ExCo members through speaking opportunities and briefings. Support communications for supply chain partners and customers. Collaborate on white papers and public affairs initiatives.

Team and collaboration

Provide expert advice on PR, media relations and external communications across the business. Deputise for the Head of Media and External Affairs when required. Work closely with colleagues across the Communications and Marketing function.

Knowledge and skills

You'll bring strong experience in B2B marketing and communications, including event planning and agency management. Familiarity with digital tools such as Hubspot and media monitoring software is beneficial. Key skills include excellent written and verbal communication, strong organisation and time management, the ability to build stakeholder relationships, and working effectively under pressure.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive salary & profit share Flexible working Travel covered to any of our sites and locations that are not home office (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including private medical cover, pension with 8 per cent employer's contribution Health and wellness programme 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more... Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity.


Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.



To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting



Wates is one of the UK's leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies. Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment.


We are driven by our purpose, 'reimagining places for people to thrive' and our three promises:

Thriving places

- working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.

Thriving planet

- protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.

Thriving people

- creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in, and treated with care.


We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer. We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.


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