Senior Consultant - Media
Salary £ Competitive
London
Vacancy listed 17/12/2025
Application deadline 30/01/2026
Details
About Hawthorn
We are an independent and agile strategic communications consultancy. For over 10 years, we’ve delivered exceptional work for individuals and organisations worldwide, from Forbes, Maybourne Hotels and Kering, to DAZN, Aegon, and News UK.

We’re small enough to give clients our full attention, yet big enough to handle the most complex and high-stakes briefs. Our dynamic, deeply connected team works across corporate communications, crisis management, and public affairs.

Our structure enables us to deliver fully integrated, data and behaviour-driven solutions. We’re ambitious, for ourselves and for our clients, and we’re growing every day.

We believe in empowering our people with autonomy, supporting innovation, and having fun along the way. Diversity of thought and background fuels our creativity and collaboration, and we’re committed to building an inclusive, connected culture where everyone can thrive.

 
Our People
At Hawthorn, we put our clients and our people at the heart of everything we do. We empower our colleagues with the freedom and autonomy that enables them to deliver outstanding results for our clients. We thrive on challenges, embrace innovative ideas, and believe in having fun along the way. If you’re seeking a dynamic environment that values creativity, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit; offers diverse and challenging opportunities; fosters continuous learning; and encourages collaboration among big thinkers, then Hawthorn is the place for you.

Building an inclusive and connected culture is crucial to our success. Hawthorn is a sum of its people, and we believe the best way to drive collaboration, unlock creativity, and enable innovation is through combining different perspectives, experiences, and ideas. Therefore, we are committed to building a diverse and equitable environment where everyone at Hawthorn feels they belong.

 
Our Values
  • Creative: You are an innovative thinker who brings originality and flair to every challenge.

  • Ambitious: You are driven and passionate, with an unwavering commitment to achieving both your personal goals and the company’s objectives.

  • Entrepreneurial: You are a proactive self-starter, always looking to build networks and capitalize on new opportunities.

  • Collaborative: You are a dedicated team player who supports colleagues, builds strong partnerships, and is committed to helping others succeed while delivering impactful results.

  • Connected: You excel at forging and maintaining strong relationships, ensuring that ideas and opportunities flow smoothly within the team and with clients

 

Key Responsibilities

Media Expertise & Industry Awareness
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the UK media landscape, including national and specialist trade outlets, and effectively handle international media.
  • Stay connected with the communications industry by reading sector publications and attending relevant events, talks, and panels to inform and inspire innovative strategies. 
  • Spot and leverage reactive or news-hijacking opportunities through proactive editorial planning and content development.

Client Leadership & Strategic Delivery
  • Lead day-to-day client activities, acting as the central coordinator and providing strategic counsel within agreed deadlines.
  • Oversee and take accountability for the quality of team output, managing multiple projects simultaneously to a high standard and providing constructive challenge where needed.
  • Regularly contribute to client presentations and new business pitches with clear, confident insights and advice.
  • Demonstrate creative thinking in the development and execution of communications plans, adopting new ideas, channels and approaches to meet and exceed client objectives.

Team Management, Development & Training
  • Review junior team members’ written work, providing timely feedback to ensure accuracy and support progression toward client-ready output with minimal senior input.
  • Actively participate in and promote regular training sessions (both formal and informal) for yourself and the wider team.

Business Growth & Commercial Contribution
  • Collaborate with Associate Directors and members of our Management Board to identify organic growth  and cross-sell opportunities.
  • Actively network to support business development and client delivery.
  • Promote practices that improve profitability, including time management across client workstreams and the effective use of technology.

Leadership, Culture & Internal Engagement
  • Consistently embody Hawthorn’s values in work and behaviour, actively contributing to company culture and supporting a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment.
  • Support the Management Board in implementing new initiatives and effectively communicating business information across the organisation.

 

Candidate specification
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in strategic communications, media relations, or journalism.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage multiple projects, and build strong client relationships, serving as a key liaison between the account team and the Director.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling content in a range of formats and for varied channels.
  • Proven experience developing and executing communication plans, and contributing to new business pitches and initiatives.
  • Strong client management skills, including setting expectations and consistently delivering high-quality work.
  • Proficiency in communications platforms, including media databases and monitoring tools.
  • In-depth understanding of the media landscape, with a proven track record of effective media engagement; prior journalism experience is an advantage.
  • Experience working on international or global communications briefs, and in financial services, technology, health or real estate sectors advantageous,  
  • Ability to stay ahead of industry trends and apply insights to drive innovation and creative thinking.
  • Commitment to upholding company values and fostering a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative workplace.
  • Proactive in identifying opportunities for growth, cross-selling, and business development through networking and relationship-building.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries that fully reflect your skills and experience, and benefits that support your mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing, including:
• Benefits including Pension, Salary Exchange, nursery salary sacrifice scheme, medical and life insurance, plus cycle to work and technology schemes.
• Flexible working options based around home and office locations, with flexible working patterns.
• Time-off including annual, parental, sabbatical, and volunteering leave.
• 25 days annual leave in year one, 26 days thereafter.
• Annual charity day where an employee can volunteer their time to a chosen charity of their choice
• A continuous learning culture to support your growth and tailored training opportunities.
• Proactive wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), sick leave provision, mental health first-aiders, and menopause app Peppy.
• Office perks including breakfasts, lunches, snacks and drinks
• A packed social calendar which includes sports and cultural activities, charity bike rides, plus not-to-be missed summer and Christmas parties each year.

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