Media Relations Manager
Salary: Competitive Plus Benefits
Location: London Store Support Centre and Home, London, EC1M 6HA
Contract type: Fixed-Term Assignment
Business area: Corporate Affairs
Closing date: 27 April 2026
Requisition ID: 400056630
We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. This is where you’ll enjoy a broad range of projects, no matter what your level, because our Corporate Affairs team is non-hierarchical and truly plugged in to the rest of the business. Whether it’s internal, external or government relations, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with everyone from food waste to health, or general merchandising to Nectar, in order to support some amazing campaigns. You’ll help build trust around Sainsbury’s with customers, senior stakeholders, media and more. And if non-linear progression is what you’re after, you’ll find opportunities are all around.
FTC - 12 months (maternity leave cover)
About the team
Corporate Affairs plays a critical role in protecting and strengthening Sainsbury’s reputation, helping the business tell its story, navigate complex issues and build trust with customers, colleagues, partners and a wide range of external stakeholders. The function brings together Media Relations, Strategic Communications, External Campaigns, Consumer PR, Government Relations and Internal Communications to support the Group at moments when clarity, confidence and credibility matter most.
Within this, the Media Relations team sits at the heart of the organisation’s approach to reputational risk. Covering Sainsbury’s, Argos, Habitat and Property Communications, the team advises leaders on emerging issues, develops clear positions on sensitive topics and supports the business to respond at pace when public and media scrutiny is at its highest. It’s a fast‑moving, collaborative environment where sound judgement, strong partnerships and calm decision‑making are essential.
More about the role
As a Media Relations Manager, you will be a trusted adviser to the business and a key contributor to the Group’s 24/7 media relations operation. Reporting to a Senior Media Relations Manager, you will take ownership of complex and often high‑profile issues, providing clear, pragmatic advice and delivering effective communications in fast‑moving situations. Day to day, you’ll work closely with colleagues across Corporate Affairs and the wider business to assess reputational risk, shape media strategy and support confident engagement with journalists and other external audiences.
The role combines proactive issues management with reactive press office activity. You’ll help identify emerging risks and opportunities using insight from media, social media and reputational risk tools, supporting planning and preparedness across the organisation. Within your areas of responsibility, you’ll respond to media enquiries with accuracy and authority, translating complex or evolving information into clear messaging that reflects Sainsbury’s values.
More about you
To be successful in this role, you’ll bring demonstrable experience of managing complex issues and crisis communications in high‑pressure environments. You’ll be comfortable advising stakeholders on sensitive reputational matters and confident handling fast‑moving media enquiries across a wide range of outlets. Alongside strong media instincts, you’ll show evidence of sound judgement, the ability to prioritise effectively and the confidence to operate calmly under scrutiny.
You’ll have a collaborative approach, building trusted relationships with journalists, partners and colleagues across the business, and an understanding of how communications decisions affect multiple audiences beyond the media alone. You’ll also bring curiosity and a commitment to continuous development — including an interest in how insight, data and emerging technologies (such as AI) can be used responsibly to strengthen issues management and media relations activity.
Essential criteria
Proven experience managing complex, high‑risk issues and crisis communications
Demonstrable experience handling sensitive, fast‑moving and high‑profile issues, exercising sound judgement under pressure and managing reputational risk in a high‑scrutiny environment.
Strong media relations experience in a high‑profile press office or corporate affairs environment
A proven media relations professional, comfortable responding directly to journalists and working with a wide range of outlets, including national media.
Ability to act as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders
Clear evidence of advising and influencing senior leaders on sensitive issues, balancing media demands with wider business and stakeholder considerations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, delivering at pace
A strong track record of producing clear, accurate and authoritative communications (e.g. statements, briefings, Q&As) at speed and with incomplete information.
Strong judgement, professionalism and calmness under pressure
Demonstrated professionalism, resilience and prioritisation skills, with the ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high‑pressure situations.
Experience using insight, monitoring or data to inform communications advice
Demonstrable experience using media, social or reputational insight tools, or data‑led analysis, to inform decision‑making, identify emerging risks and strengthen communications advice.
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new - whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:
Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day. We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 10% of salary, depending on how we perform.
Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. And if you ever need it there is also an employee assistance programme.
Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.
Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
