External Communications PR Manager

Dentsu Aegis Network; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 65,000

Job description

Job Description:

Dentsu is the network designed for what’s next, helping brands predict and plan for disruptive future opportunities and create new paths to growth in the sustainable economy. Taking a people-centred approach to business transformation, we use insights to connect brand, content, commerce and experience, underpinned by modern creativity.

We’re hiring an External Communications and PR Manager maternity cover role. This role will join our central Marketing and Communications team to drive our ongoing strategy to engage and inspire clients, prospects and talent.

Purpose of the role

As External Communications and PR Manager, you’ll be responsible for building dentsu’s brand and profile. You’ll do this by securing positive press coverage that communicates our brand messaging, narrative and strategy, as well as effectively managing our reputation externally. The work you do will ensure that our core audiences connect with the dentsu brand and understand our distinctiveness as a people-centred transformation business.

You will work alongside the wider marketing team to develop external communications around our thought leadership, services and solutions to positively position dentsu within the market. You will also work with the wider business to understand emerging initiatives and use your news sense to track down great stories to tell externally. Importantly, you will ensure that our communications are aligned to our brand messaging and global and local priorities.

Reporting to the External Communications Director, this role will support the delivery of all our external communications. While it focuses predominantly on media activity, you will need to be agile in the way you work to ensure you are able to pivot to organisational priorities. You will be joining an in-house marketing team of 20 based in locations across the UK & I, with broad skills across marketing disciplines. The team works closely with our leadership in the UK & I and EMEA and this role will be based in one of our UK offices – preferably London, Edinburgh or Manchester, with some flexibility to work remotely.

Key responsibilities

1. Alongside the External Communications Director, develop and implement PR strategies to promote and enhance dentsu’s reputation, brand and objectives.
2. Collaborate with the wider marketing team and internal stakeholders to prioritise activity and align PR initiatives with overall business goals and objectives.
3. Draft and edit thought leadership, press releases, comments, interviews, social posts, media kits and other materials required to communicate key messages and announcements to the press.
4. Work with the wider business to proactively seek out news-worthy stories and fill the pipeline.
5. Identify and brief relevant spokespeople across dentsu and agency brands for thought leadership opportunities, interviews and speaking engagements.
6. Maintain strong relationships with journalists and influencers and act as a point of contact for media enquiries and press releases.
7. Maintain a calendar of activity, media response log and earned coverage report to inform wider team planning and strategic decision-making.
8. Prepare regular reports to communicate PR results and insights to the wider team and senior management.
9. Track and analyse the effectiveness of PR campaigns and initiatives through using online tools and manual recordkeeping.

Qualifications and skills

1. Proven experience in building and maintaining relationships with journalists across the ad trade, tech and business space, pitching stories, responding to media inquiries, and securing positive press coverage.
2. Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience crafting compelling key messages, by-lines, comments and press releases, including the ability to adapt communication style for different audiences and platforms.
3. Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic communication plans that support business objectives, as well as skills in analysing competitors and industry developments to inform communication strategies.
4. Proficiency in creating engaging and impactful content for various channels, including press releases, blog posts, social media, and websites.
5. Experience in using data and insights to optimise communication strategies, measure ROI, and make data-driven decisions.
6. Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to work closely with senior stakeholders with the ability to remain calm and professional under rapidly changing circumstances.

What we offer

This is a maternity cover and so is a temporary role. The marketing team operates under flexible working arrangements and the team are currently in the office twice a week. As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs.

Inclusion and diversity

Our diverse and inclusive culture enables our employees to bring their whole selves to work and be proud of doing so. For us, this is the foundation for great innovation which, in turn, generates better outcomes for our people, partners and communities. This is why we encourage applications from people with disabilities, and of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds and cultures.

We are happy to discuss flexible and agile approaches to working for all our roles – we can’t promise we will be able to offer you everything you want or need but we do promise to discuss it with you openly and honestly. If you have any reasonable adjustment needs arising from a disability or medical condition to fully participate in the recruitment process, please discuss this with our recruitment teams.

About dentsu

Taking a people-centred approach to business transformation, we use insights to connect brand, content, commerce and experience, underpinned by modern creativity. As part of Dentsu Group Inc. we are headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and our 65,000 employee-base of dedicated professionals work across four regions (Japan, Americas, EMEA and APAC). Dentsu combines Japanese innovation with a diverse, global perspective to drive client growth and to shape society.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion sits at the heart of our Social Impact strategy – our fully integrated sustainability strategy which includes our ambition to build a fair and more equal society, where everyone is equipped to thrive.

Location: London

Brand: Dentsu

Time Type: Full time

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (Fixed Term)