Media Relations Executive

DS Smith

Media Relations Executive managing EMEA communications and supporting proactive media relations at DS Smith. Contributing to building a strong brand reputation and coordinating media campaigns.

Posted 5/1/2026full-timeLondon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Media relations & monitoring
Carry out daily media monitoring across EMEA and help produce monthly dashboards and reports
Track emerging media themes, competitor activity and potential reputational risks
Act as a first point of contact for incoming media enquiries, escalating issues where required
Maintain distribution lists and support outreach with agency partners
Campaign & content support
Assist with drafting press releases, quotes, Q&As and briefing notes
Support proactive media campaigns by coordinating with local markets and agencies
Help manage the central editorial calendar and track key milestones
Collect inputs and assets from across the business for campaign toolkits
Issues management
Log and track reactive enquiries and ensure timely internal updates
Help maintain issues response documents, holding statements and Q&As
Support the Senior Media Relations Manager during live or emerging issues
Story development & materials
Identify potential story leads across the business
Gather background information, data and insights to support media content
Produce first drafts of media materials and help maintain the asset library

Requirements

What you’ll need

Degree-level education, ideally in communications, media, journalism, languages or social sciences
Experience in communications, PR, journalism or a similar environment, with understanding of print, broadcast and digital media
Experience supporting media relations or campaign activity (corporate or agency)
Exposure to drafting press materials or briefing content
Comfortable working collaboratively across teams and functions and engaging with senior stakeholders when required
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an eye for detail
Highly organised, adaptable and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
Familiarity with media monitoring or social listening tools is desirable

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive salary
Discretionary bonus
25 days holiday plus bank holidays
Digital GP
Pension scheme
Life assurance and income protection
Salary sacrifice electric car scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Employee Discounts
Cycle to work scheme

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

media monitoringdrafting press releasesissues managementstory developmentcampaign supportcontent creationdata gatheringreport productionstakeholder engagementmedia relations

Soft Skills

excellent written communicationexcellent verbal communicationattention to detailhighly organizedadaptabilitycollaborativemulti-taskingproblem-solvinginterpersonal skillstime management