PR Manager

This role is offered on a hybrid contract giving you the opportunity to also work from home three days a week. You will report to the PR Lead and work with colleagues from across the organisation to ensure PR and communication plans are strategic, effective and in line with organisational objectives, playing a leading role in supporting on crisis communications, reputational risk, strategic communications and wider public engagement initiatives. You will already have strong relationships across a wide spectrum of the UK media landscape and be able to build relationships quickly. You will have outstanding people skills and be able to influence effectively both internally - working with senior staff across the talent, fundraising, corporate partnership, social, funding, legal and production teams - and externally with important partners such as the BBC as well as other corporate partner and media stakeholders. Running Comic Relief's busy Press Office is a responsibility shared by all team members. You will be required to take a leading role in managing media enquiries in a timely and accurate manner, media monitoring and associated escalation and opportunity spotting, evaluating PR campaigns, reputational risk, and join the on-call rota for out-of-hours and weekend support. This role will involve line management responsibilities - which could include managing fixed-term contract staff during busy campaign periods - as well as occasional UK wide travel to manage media opportunities. Operating at the heart of Comic Relief's mission to create a just world, free from poverty this role offers an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in the reputation and brand perception of a high-profile charity brand. As the Public Relations Manager, you will be at the forefront of our efforts to engage the public, manage our reputation, and support the broader mission of our organisation. Please note, this role will require working occasional out office hours and weekends during peak times.,

• Develop and deliver creative, national and regional PR and strategic communication strategies that are rooted in audience insight, are ambitious and effective, and reflect the charity's strategic objectives to drive income and raise awareness of the positive impact of Comic Relief and the work of its funded partners in the UK and around the world
• Monitor and evaluate the success of PR and communication activities, identifying learning and opportunities to help improve approaches and ROI of projects
• Take a proactive approach to gaining media coverage outside of campaign periods using creativity to showcase Comic Relief's impact story, working with talent team on project visits with celebrities and influencers as well as with funded partners; donors and supporters where appropriate
• Establish, develop and maintain excellent relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. This could include partners, agencies, media and cross organisational working groups
• Work with stakeholders from across the organisation to ensure that Comic Relief's corporate partners are given a consistent, gold standard experience by offering creative input to key partnership milestones and PR activities
• Work with the PR Lead, and other Heads of Teams including senior stakeholders to manage and mitigate potential reputational risk working proactively on crisis and strategic communications to enhance Comic Relief's profile, reputation and brand
• Monitor the press to identify appropriate opportunities and potential threats to the promotion of the work of Comic Relief. Work to protect and enhance Comic Relief's reputation collaborating with internal and external stakeholders if issues arise. Draft lines against enquiry and press statements, working with colleagues across the organisation to gather relevant info and ensure appropriate sign off
• Ensure editorial excellence in all press releases, proofing and ensuring quality of output alongside developing and implementing strategic media outreach
• Deputise for the PR Lead where appropriate
• Contribute to the annual planning process, collaborating with colleagues to identify needs and opportunities to enhance Comic Relief's profile and reputation with agreed target audiences and develop plans and initiatives in support of these
• Play a key role in upskilling Senior PR Officers and PR Officers
• Ensure the smooth and effective running of the Press Office - joining the on-call rota for after hours and weekend cover, and take an active role in managing in-bound media enquiries alongside the wider team
• Keep abreast of sector and trade (PR / Communications) marketplace to identify opportunities to enhance Comic Relief's profile, reputation and brand
• Play an active role in the FR&PR Team, working collaboratively to enable inclusivity and diversity in order to drive high performance and an action-oriented culture.
People Management
• Line management will fluctuate throughout the year and increase during campaign periods. This includes leading recruitment and induction of new starters
• Provide balanced, constructive feedback, undertake effective performance management to embed accountability and proactively support the professional development and growth of staff
• Proactively undertake performance management, prioritising activities and setting clear and realistic objectives for individuals based on capacity, expertise, and aspirations
• Maintain regular two-way communication and dialogue with staff, ensuring information is cascaded and escalated as needed.
  
  Proven experience of planning, leading and evaluating national and regional PR and communication strategies and campaigns
• Strong, collaborative, relationship building and stakeholder management skills
• Crisis communications and reputational risk experience
• An ability to develop and deliver fresh creative ideas that generate media coverage
• Excellent writer and negotiator with strong influencing skills
• Line management experience, including continuous professional development and performance management
• Wide experience managing and prioritising multiple projects to strict deadlines even when faced with challenges
• A commitment to Comic Relief and its core values and a strong team player.
  
  Salary: £44,649 - £47,721.
Perks and benefits:
• Flexible working hours
• Work from home option
• Wellness programs
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Paid emergency leave
• Sabbatical Opportunities
• Professional development
• Mentoring/coaching
• Paid volunteer days
• Salary sacrifice
• Payroll giving
• Team social events
• Extracurricular clubs
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free fruit.