Police AI - Senior Media Manager

Job summary

Remote working (anywhere in the UK). Please note, some travel may be required.​

​This post is open to applicants who can meet the College’s nationality, UK residency and vetting requirements.

Police AI is a nationally significant technology and transformation programme in UK policing. Backed by central government investment and positioned at the heart of the police reform agenda, Police AI is the new National Centre for AI in Policing, helping to shape how policing uses data, technology and artificial intelligence to tackle crime, protect the public and modernise frontline operations.

We bring together operational policing, technical expertise, product delivery, assurance and the responsible use of AI to develop and scale capabilities that improve public safety outcomes. Our work helps forces respond more effectively to demand, strengthen investigations, identify risk and harm earlier, and free up frontline time for the activities that matter most to communities.

This is an opportunity to contribute to a programme with national reach and meaningful public service impact, helping to define how AI is developed, governed and adopted across one of the UK’s most important public services. The work is varied and complex, moves at pace, and has the potential to deliver better tools for policing, better outcomes for the public, and stronger foundations for the responsible use of AI.

Police AI is hosted within the College of Policing.

Our mission : Leadership, Standards, Performance. This guides our work with individuals, forces, and policing partners towards our vision. We exist to support police officers, police staff and volunteers to deliver the best service to the public. Only through high quality leadership, consistent standards and continual performance improvement can everyone in policing reach their full potential. Our mission guides our work with individual, forces and partners towards our vision.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

Due to our status as Public Servants, we are not eligible to participate in the Civil Service transfer process. While successful candidates can transfer in on their existing terms and conditions, any subsequent transfer out of the College to the Civil Service cannot be guaranteed on existing terms and conditions, and new starter/modernised terms may apply.

The College embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we comply with the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and apply the minimum selection criteria at sift stage of the recruitment process.

Job description

We are looking for people who are motivated by public service, interested in responsible innovation, and comfortable working collaboratively across organisational, operational and technical boundaries. Joining Police AI means contributing to a supportive, multidisciplinary team that is helping to shape the future of policing and ensure AI is used in ways that are effective, responsible, operationally useful and worthy of public trust.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Media Manager to lead media relations and press office activity for Police AI. Reporting to the Head of Communications and Engagement, you will manage the organisation’s external voice, building strong relationships with journalists and ensuring media engagement is timely, accurate and aligned to organisational priorities.

This is a high-profile role combining strategic media planning with hands-on delivery. You will lead proactive and reactive media activity, manage sensitive and complex issues, provide expert advice to senior leaders, and translate technical and operational AI-related topics into clear, credible and accessible communications.

Please note :

As part of the application process, you will be required to complete the following:

1) Personal Statement (750 words maximum)

Your personal statement should address your experience to date and the following element:

• Describe times when you have led media handling for a high-profile, sensitive or complex issues. What was the situation, what approach did you take, and what was the outcome?

2) Behaviour – Communicating and Influencing (250 words maximum)

You will be required to submit a 250-word statement demonstrating the Behaviour Communicating and Influencing in response to the following:

Describe a time when you provided media or communications advice to a senior leader on a reputationally sensitive issue with a tight deadline. What advice did you give and how did it influence the organisation’s approach?

Person specification

Key responsibilities :

• Leading Police AI’s media relations and press office activity, ensuring timely, accurate and impactful engagement with national, regional and specialist media.

• Developing and delivering proactive media campaigns that raise awareness of Police AI’s work and support broader organisational objectives.

• Providing expert media handling and reputational advice to senior leaders, particularly on complex, sensitive or high-profile issues.

• Creating clear, compelling communications materials that translate complex AI and policing topics into accessible content for public audiences.

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• Significant experience in media relations, journalism or a press office environment, with a proven track record of delivering both proactive and reactive media activity.

• Experience managing sensitive, high-profile or reputational issues, providing clear advice and support to senior stakeholders in fast-paced environments.

• Strong writing and communications skills, with the ability to turn complex technical, operational or policy topics into clear, engaging messages for external audiences.

• A strong understanding of the UK media landscape and how effective media engagement can build trust, confidence and organisational reputation.

Please see the attached job description which contains full details of the role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £59,440, College of Policing contributes £17,219 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

College staff have Public Servant status. As a Public Servant, you are eligible to join the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

The College is a great place to work. We're passionate about our people and offer a wide range of benefits, including (but not limited to):

• Defined benefit pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Up to 31.5 days holiday (this is in addition to 8 public holidays and 1 privilege day)
• Continued professional development and structured career paths
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Flexi-time (for certain grades)
• Benenden Healthcare
• National Dental Plan