Ellwood Atfield
Senior Media Relations Manager

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About the organisation:
Our client is well established in the financial services sector and based in London.
The opportunity:
This is a rare opportunity to lead media relations for a well-known UK financial services business, acting as the organisation's primary point of contact with journalists, editors and broadcasters. You’ll be working at the heart of a high-performing Corporate Affairs function and providing senior-level counsel on reputation and issues management.
Main responsibilities:
- Lead the organisation's media relations strategy, developing and delivering a proactive media engagement plan.
- Provide senior counsel to leadership on media issues, reputational impact and mitigations.
- Lead the day-to-day management of media interactions, with clear escalation processes for organisational issues.
- Play a central role in the organisation's crisis and issues management process, advising on media response.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key journalists, editors and broadcasters.
- Manage third-party media agency relationships to support delivery of the media plan.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key skills and experience required:
- Proven experience in media relations, with established relationships across broadcast, national, regional, trade and specialist media.
- Experience planning, developing and executing media strategies, both proactively and reactively.
- Experience working in and with corporate communications, public affairs and marketing teams.
- Excellent writing, editing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly.
- Strong analytical and data literacy skills, able to turn information into clear, compelling media messages.
- Experience managing media during high-pressure or crisis situations.


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How to apply:
To apply, please submit a copy of your CV via our portal.
Application deadline: Thursday 17 September 2026
Ellwood Atfield:
Ellwood Atfield is the leading headhunter for corporate affairs, communications, policy, and advocacy. An employee-owned boutique search firm, we help you hire the most senior leaders and everyone who reports to them. We promise to connect talented people, smoothly and efficiently.
Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are an equal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession to ensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.
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