Job Information
BP Americas, Inc. US Media Relations Manager in Houston, Texas
Entity:
Gas & Low Carbon Energy
Job Family Group:
Communications & External Affairs Group
Job Description:
bp is undergoing a significant strategic reset aimed at simplifying the company, strengthening competitiveness, and delivering energy with greater resilience. This includes rebalancing investment toward high-value hydrocarbons while continuing to advance select transition growth engines.
The United States remains central to bp’s global strategy and is its largest operational footprint, employing over 30,000 people and supporting around 300,000 jobs. bp continues to grow production from its US onshore and offshore assets, invest in two US refineries and expand its fuel retail businesses.
The US Media Relations Manager offers an opportunity to build how bp tells its story across the US media landscape. You will help define bp’s US media strategy, build relationships with key journalists and position bp as a leading voice on energy, technology and policy topics.
This role will report to the US Press team lead, and act as one of bp’s spokespeople in the United States.
While establishing and encouraging media relationships are at the core of this team, this person is charged with pro-actively pitching, placing and promoting content on earned channels about bp’s strategy delivery.
Foundational to this role is an understanding of external communications environment – where it currently stands and how it’s evolving. The successful candidate will be:
Intellectually curious – within bp, focus on continually learning about our businesses and the key factors driving their growth. Externally, consistently learning about how communications channels are evolving and how they can be used by bp.
Developing relationships – both within bp and among key stakeholders, including media. We’re looking for someone who is keen to continue learning more about others and telling bp’s story.
Executive management – a natural ability to provide thoughtful and substantive guidance to key bp executives, notably ahead of external engagements.
Motivated team player – committed to contributing collaboratively to the team and challenge themselves to tackle new opportunities.
Key Accountabilities:
Media outreach : Develop and executive proactive media outreach strategies that advance bp’s business priorities and reputation. Develop and cultivate positive relationships with national, regional and trade media.
Strong storytelling : Translate complex business and policy matters into compelling narratives. Draft press materials including statements, talking points, op-eds, briefing documents and media advisories. Serve as a knowledgeable media consultant to bp leadership and staff media interviews with press.
Collaborative approach : Coordinate communications between press offices in the US and London, our US businesses and communications teams, Investor Relations and our federal, state and international affairs teams to ensure message consistency.
Rapid response : Ability to quickly respond to complex and rapidly evolving issues, including emerging news stories and live events.
Message consistency: Remain focused on clear and consistent messages, notably around nuanced issues, to reach key audiences, including policymakers and policy influencers.
Education & Experience:
A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public affairs or related field.
Professional experience in corporate communications, journalism, or public affairs.
Experience working with major media outlets.
Experience supporting senior executives in complex news environments.
Requirements:
A passion for learning policy and business issues; experience turning complex ideas into impactful stories.
Strong understanding of the US media landscape and energy/policy environment.
Excellent speaking, writing and editing skills.
Ability to deliver high-quality work and manage multiple priorities under deadline pressure.
Demonstrate sound judgment and absolute discretion in handling confidential data.
Ability to travel as needed (25% of work time).
Ability to work in bp’s Houston at least three days per week.
Key Competencies:
Connects media strategy to business priorities and anticipates reputational risks.
Strong news instinct – understands compelling storytelling and journalist perspectives.
Builds trust with internal and external stakeholders.
Enjoys and has the capability for working with a global and diverse organization
Produce desired results in a timely and highly proficient manner without supervision
Collaborative team player in immediate work group as well as across the organization
Seeks additional responsibilities and uses innovation to improve job knowledge and procedures.
Why bp?
At bp, we support our people to learn and grow in a diverse and ambitious environment. We believe that our team is strengthened by diversity! We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment in which everyone is respected and treated fairly. We offer benefits to enable your work to fit with your life, including flexible working options and paid parental leave policy, among others!
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Travel Requirement
Up to 25% travel should be expected with this role
Relocation Assistance:
This role is eligible for relocation within country
Remote Type:
This position is not available for remote working
Skills:
Advocacy, Advocacy, Agility core practices, Analytical Thinking, Brand visual standards, Business Acumen, Campaigning, Channel Management, Coaching, Collaboration, Commercial Acumen, Communication, Content Design, Creating and measuring impact, Crisis Communications, Digital Communication, Digital Fluency, Employee Engagement, Influencing, Issues and Policy Management, Listening, Market Trends, Performance Consulting, Presenting, Stakeholder Engagement {+ 1 more}
Legal Disclaimer:
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics like race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us .
If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.