Senior External Communications Executive

LVFS has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior External Communications Executive (Media and PR).

You will be responsible for supporting the planning and delivery of LV’s external communications. Working across the business, you will play a key role in developing and delivering B2B and B2C PR plans, building strong relationships with journalists across national, local and trade media, and managing media enquiries. The role will also plan and deliver wider-PR activity across awards and events, as well as supporting our public affairs activity.

The Senior External Communications Executive (Media and PR) should have significant PR and media experience, be comfortable working in a busy team, able to cope well with pressure, have a ‘nose for news’ as well as excellent writing and editing skills and knowledge of media evaluation tools.

**About you**:

- Experience of PR and media relations and creating creative, engaging content.
- Media relations experience and thorough understanding of the media and how it operates.
- Excellent written, verbal and oral communication skills.
- Proven experience of and ability to offer advice and guidance to internal stakeholders of all levels.
- Experience of supporting and managing issues and crisis.
- High level of interpersonal skills to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including journalists and member organisations.
- Experience of supporting the management of a press office with the appropriate tools and processes in place.
- Experience of running projects - completing work on time and to budget.
- Excellent proof reading, and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience working with other departments to create integrated PR plans, including Social Media, Digital, Marketing, Internal Communications and Public Affairs.
- Experience in setting targets, delivering plans and evaluating success.
- A positive ‘can do’ attitude with the ability to work as part of a team or independently.
- Relevant sector knowledge of financial services is desirable.

**Details**:

- Contribute to the creation and delivery of the LV= PR programme, with the aim of promoting and protecting the brand and supporting and optimising proposition marketing.
- Support the External Communications Manager and Senior Corporate Communications Manager in creating and implementing the External Communications strategy.
- Identifying innovative proactive PR opportunities in trade, consumer and local media as well as with third parties and wider stakeholders.
- Respond quickly and accurately to media enquiries providing guidance and support to stakeholders within LV=.
- Support with crisis and issues providing sound guidance.
- Research, write and distribute press releases, statements, features and blogs to national, regional, local and trade media.
- Producing and sharing evaluation reports monthly to monitor effectiveness and inform future plans.
- Maintaining and updating the PR database and LV= Newsroom website.
- Support the public affairs programme of works.
- Project manage the LV= awards programme ensuring it is well planned and meets objectives.
- Working closely with Insights, Social Media, Marketing, Public Affairs, Digital, and Internal Comms teams to deliver key projects.

**Why work for us?**:
Go on, bring your true self to LV=.

**Rewards and Benefits**:
At LVFS, you’ll go above and beyond to do the right thing for our customers, and we’ll reward you with an attractive, competitive salary and benefits package in exchange for your hard work.
- 26 days' holiday - which increases after two years’ service to 28 days.
- The opportunity to buy or sell up to five days’ holiday.
- An annual bonus scheme based on company and personal performance.
- Flexible benefits - Cycle to work scheme/Health Assessment/Personal Accident Insurance/Critical Illness/Private Medical Insurance/Dental Insurance.
- A competitive pension for which LV= Life and Pensions will double match the amount you pay, up to 14%.
- Group Life Assurance 4 x basic pay to your dependants - you’ll have the option to increase to x 8 times cover.
- Group Income Protection, if a member of the Pension scheme and reached 5 years’ service.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) service for support through difficult times in your life.
- Virtual GP service.
- Shared parental leave.
- You’ll receive up to 20% discount on our life products for you and your immediate family.