Overview
Media Relations Director (Slough, Berkshire, GB, SL1 1DT)
We are Reckitt
Home to the world's best loved and trusted hygiene, health, and nutrition brands. Our purpose defines why we exist: to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We are a global team united by this purpose. Join us in our fight to make access to the highest quality hygiene, wellness, and nourishment a right and not a privilege.
Corporate Communications & External Affairs
Our communications and external affairs team are at the very heart of Reckitt's brand, purpose and products, bringing them to life around the globe for our employees, consumers, investors, governments and our suppliers.It's a rewarding task, growing and protecting Reckitt's image and brand. Every day, we design public relations and communication strategies that build awareness, trust and relationships, while steering us away from reputational risk. We do this by gathering and maintaining knowledge of our policies, principles, and business strategies, while keeping up-to-date with relevant developments right across our business units and trusted brands.From digital, media and events to employee experience, strategic relationships, and community partners, we identify opportunities to deliver on our business and sustainability agenda, while proactively identifying storylines and opportunities to advance our narrative.
About the role
Reckitt is seeking a Media Relations Director to lead our external media strategy and press office operations. This is a pivotal role focused on building and maintaining strong relationships with journalists and media outlets worldwide, shaping how Reckitt is represented in the press, and ensuring consistent, accurate, and impactful coverage of our brands, leadership, and purpose-led initiatives.
You will be the strategic lead for all media-facing activity, working closely with senior leaders, brand teams, and corporate affairs colleagues to manage proactive storytelling and reactive media engagement, including during high-stakes issues and reputational events.
Your responsibilities
- Lead Reckitt’s global media relations strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and brand positioning.
- Manage the global press office, overseeing media inquiries, statements, and responses across markets.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key journalists, editors, and media outlets across business, consumer, and trade press.
- Develop and pitch compelling stories that elevate Reckitt’s reputation, purpose, and leadership.
- Act as a senior advisor and spokesperson during reputational issues, crises, and sensitive media moments.
- Monitor global media coverage and sentiment, providing insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Collaborate with internal communications and brand PR teams to ensure consistency and alignment across all messaging.
- Drive the creation and delivery of influential communication and PR campaigns, measuring their impact through precise metrics and KPIs.
- Manage and mentor a team of communication professionals, nurturing their growth and aligning their work with our global vision.
The experience we're looking for
- Proven experience leading global media relations in a complex, fast-paced organisation.
- If you have experience within FMCG, Retail or other highly complex consumer led businesses this would be preferred but not essential.
- Strong track record of securing high-impact media coverage and managing press office operations.
- Deep understanding of the global media landscape, with established journalist relationships.
- Expertise in crisis communications and reputation management.
- Strategic mindset with sharp business acumen and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
- Proficiency in communication tools and analytics to refine strategies and amplify brand messages.
The skills for success
Emotional intelligence, Listening skills, Writing skills, Presentation skills, Interpersonal skills, Digital skills, Research skills, Time management skills, Adaptability, Stakeholder engagement and influence, Strategic thinking, Risk management, Business Accumen, Leadership, Brand Strategy, Relationship management.
What we offer
With inclusion at the heart of everything we do, working alongside our four global Employee Resource Groups, we support our people at every step of their career journey, helping them to succeed in their own individual way. We invest in the wellbeing of our people through parental benefits, an Employee Assistance Program to promote mental health, and life insurance for all employees globally. We have a range of other benefits in line with the local market. Through our global share plans we offer the opportunity to save and share in Reckitt's potential future successes. For eligible roles, we also offer short-term incentives to recognise, appreciate and reward your work for delivering outstanding results. You will be rewarded in line with Reckitt's pay for performance philosophy.
Equality
We recognise that in real life, great people don't always 'tick all the boxes'. That's why we hire for potential as well as experience. Even if you don't meet every point on the job description, if this role and our company feels like a good fit for you, we still want to hear from you. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, disability or medical condition; colour, ethnicity, race, citizenship, and national origin; religion, faith; pregnancy, family status and caring responsibilities; sexual orientation; sex, gender identity, gender expression, and transgender identity; protected veteran status; size or any other basis protected by appropriate law.
