About the role
As Senior Communications Officer within the media relations team you will be the first line response to many incoming issues and opportunities in the Partnership Communications team. As a result you will be required to work in a fast, busy and agile environment, triaging incoming issues effectively. You will work closely with key internal stakeholders and the media. You will represent both sides of the business (John Lewis and Waitrose) and be able to influence upwardly. The External Communications team is responsible for all aspects of the external communications strategy for the Partnership and its two brands. This is brought to life across multiple fronts, with a communications programme that leverages progressive business initiatives, builds celebratory feel-good moments, campaigns with passion from a position of strength, scale and responsibility maintains a drumbeat of positive storytelling, and works hard to mitigate potential risks. Activity must continue to reach multiple audiences, amplifying and deepening customer marketing activity and messaging delivered above the line.Salary - This role has an expected salary of between £45,400 - £55,000 per annum.
Contract type - This is a temporary opportunity until October 2026.
Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. As part of the role you will also be expected to work with external contacts at various locations.
Location - This role is primarily based at Bracknell, however the option to work from our London office is also available.
Key responsibilities:
Manage reactive media enquiries, issues and crises across traditional and social media.
Develop and maintain a network of external stakeholders including journalists, opinion formers and suppliers.
Draft briefing documents for media spokespeople.
Act as the eyes and ears of the business - suggesting tactical proactive opportunities as well as preparing for risks
Ensures the correct process is in place and is adhered to for media enquiries, and that enquiries are handled consistently across the business.
Deliver an excellent, thorough and timely service to journalists in response to enquiries.
Support strategic planning by gathering external insight to build a media picture.
Make informed decisions about communications risks and opportunities by using awareness of the external landscape.
Essential skills required:
Experience working with the media and/or external stakeholders.
Effective stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence upwardly. Understands the motivations and priorities of these stakeholders and takes these into account in order to build and manage sustainable relationships.
Takes initiative and is able to take a proactive approach to work, being prepared to adapt to ever changing circumstances.
Can think clearly when presented with multiple pieces of information and gets to the base of an issue in order to make a well informed judgement.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
About The Partnership
We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.
We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.
As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.
We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.
As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
Important points to note:
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.
We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
