Corporate Communications Manager

At the heart of everything we do is our vision to change lives every day, and our mission to grow The National Lottery responsibly and champion its impact.

We are Allwyn UK, part of the Allwyn Entertainment Group – a multi-national lottery operator with a market-leading presence across the USA (Michigan and Illinois) and Europe, including Czech Republic, Austria, Greece, Cyprus and Italy.

While the main contribution of The National Lottery to society is through the funds to good causes, at Allwyn we put our purpose and values at the heart of everything we do. Join us as we embark on a once-in-a-lifetime, largescale transformation journey by creating a National Lottery that delivers more money to good causes.

We’ll talk a bit more about us further down the page, but for now – let’s talk about the role and who we’re looking for…

About the Allwyn UK Communications team

The Allwyn UK Communications team’s mission is two-fold; to promote and protect the reputation of Allwyn UK as the custodian of The National Lottery, and to create excitement and a positive landscape for The National Lottery to flourish.

We champion, (through our people, purpose and products), The National Lottery’s impact on the UK more broadly and its ability to change lives every day. Whether we’re driving great news stories, delivering high-impact campaigns or getting ahead of issues and risks, we’re a passionate, proactive and high-performing team that’s always on.

To join our team, we need more than simply impeccable communications skills, we’re looking for experts who match our values, creativity and mindset: a strong belief in the power of data to make better informed decisions; great content creators and storytellers who put an audience-first view at the heart of everything we do; and a creative and agile approach to impactful, integrated communications.

What you’ll be doing

Reporting to the Head of Corporate Communications & Campaigns, the Communications Manager will play a key role in our Corporate Communications team, with a focus on identifying internal business moments that tell the story and protect the reputation of Allwyn as the operator of The National Lottery.

You will source and identify the stories that help us to build Allwyn’s reputation as a trusted operator, as well as identifying the primary channels to maximise impact. You’ll also help protect our brands, by being the eyes and ears on who is talking about Allwyn UK and The National Lottery externally and developing communications responses to issues if needed. You’ll build corporate communications campaigns on topics as diverse as our Employee Brand, support for retailers, Allwyn’s Social Value programmes, and our business milestones and performance.

As Communications Manager, you will: 

• As part of a small team of corporate communications experts, you will proactively and reactively promote and protect the Allwyn and The National Lottery brands, helping to make Allwyn and The National Lottery relevant and a prominent, positive voice in key cultural conversations

• Be the eyes and ears on who is talking about Allwyn UK and The National Lottery externally, what they are saying and counsel on whether we need to respond – and being quick to respond if necessary

• Identify – and act on – news opportunities based on strategic priorities, everyday activity and opportunities to build the Allwyn UK and The National Lottery brand.

• Identify media and broader corporate risks and advise on mitigations. Respond quickly to negative media enquiries to protect Allwyn and The National Lottery brands

• Grow and maintain relationships with relevant media and journalists, helping to maximise positive and balanced news coverage about Allwyn UK and The National Lottery

• Take an enthusiastic multiplatform, digital-first approach to sharing and commenting on Allwyn news

• Work with communications colleagues, and other stakeholders, to source, create (written or broadcast) and edit brilliant news stories that reflect our brand

• Stay up to date on journalist moves and industry trends

• Keep up to date on emerging news platforms and consider how we best engage them

• Work in partnership with our communications agency partner as required

• Assist the team in managing day-to-day admin and team planning work - such as managing subscriptions and suppliers, keeping team calendars/rotas updated, collating press cuttings, preparing weekly/monthly performance reports, etc.

At Allwyn, we are dedicated to changing lives and growing the National Lottery responsibly, championing its positive impact on people, places, and the planet.

• Innovation - We pride ourselves on it! We’re constantly looking for new ways to excite our customers, bringing new products to market to enjoy which is all supported by our responsible play values and making them accessible to all.

• Giving back – Did you know that playing the lottery generates around £30m a week for charities and good causes in the UK? Our aim is to have doubled this number by the end of the first 10-year license.

• Sustainability – Our aim is to become a net zero national lottery. We have 2030 targets to decarbonise our operations and energy. We’ve already transitioned to renewable energy providers, made our London and Watford offices zero gas, and ensured our fleet consists of low-emission vehicles. In addition, we’re working with our value chain partners to develop a net zero target date.

• Empowering every voice – We believe in creating a culture where everyone feels they belong, can be themselves, has access to opportunities and can thrive for the benefit of good causes. Our diverse teams are working hard to make all parts of The National Lottery inclusive – whether people play a game in a store or online, because when everyone can play, everyone wins..

Requirements

What experience we’re looking for

• PR, media or journalism experience

• Relationships with media outlets, particularly regional and trade press

• Experience securing media coverage across different platforms

• Understanding of modern media consumption and current PR trends

• Good writing and communication skills

• A 'can-do' attitude with a positive, proactive mindset

• Creative thinking and storytelling ability across channels including social media

• The ability to work under pressure – with experience of identifying potential issues and dealing with negative media enquiries and issues

• Basic understanding of data and analytics to inform PR plans

• A hunger for finding and sharing great stories

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

• Energy and enthusiasm

Benefits

• Company Bonus Scheme
• Company Car
• Matched pension contributions up to 8.5%
• 26 days annual leave + 2 Life Days (and bank holidays)
• Complimentary Private Medical
• Income Protection · Flexible Benefits – EV Scheme, Money Coach, Will Writing, Mortgage Advice, Dental and Eye Care Schemes.
• Enhanced Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity, Adoption)
• Wellness Allowance £500
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted Health Assessments
• Volunteering Days
• Matched Funding