PR and External Communications Manager

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver an insight-led PR and external communications plan supporting our nursery and Work&Life businesses.
• Create a strong pipeline of positive stories, research and campaigns for local, national, childcare, education, workforce, business, HR, benefits and workplace media.
• Build productive relationships with journalists, editors and sector influencers, pitching timely ideas and securing accurate, high-quality coverage.
• Work with nursery and operational teams to uncover authentic local stories and adapt them for traditional media, social and owned channels.
• Raise the profile of Work&Life through employer partnerships, approved client and client-employee stories, workplace insight and executive commentary.
• Work closely with social media and content colleagues to plan once and use stories effectively across earned, owned and social channels.
• Develop thought-leadership opportunities and support confident, credible spokespeople from across Bright Horizons.
• Partner with HR, Talent Acquisition and Internal Communications to strengthen our reputation as an employer of choice through authentic colleague, career and workplace stories.
• Work with the Bright Horizons Foundation to share appropriate stories about its impact, partnerships and fundraising activity across PR, social and owned channels.
• Manage PR agencies, specialist suppliers and budgets, ensuring activity delivers measurable value.

Requirements

• Strong experience in an in-house or agency PR, media or integrated communications role at manager level.
• A proven record of generating positive coverage and delivering creative campaigns across consumer, local, trade, national or business media.
• Experience of integrated PR, social and content planning and an understanding of how communications can support reputation, engagement, growth and employer brand.
• Experience of managing agencies, budgets and multiple priorities, and of using insight and evaluation to demonstrate impact.
• Degree in Marketing, PR or Communications related further qualification/s
• Membership of relevant trade bodies.

Preferred

• Experience in early years, education, care, HR, employee benefits or workplace communications would be an advantage.

Benefits

• Flexible working and holiday entitlements
• Discounted childcare
• Quarterly Employee Appreciation Weeks
• Annual gala award evening
• Fantastic range of discounts on high street retailers, grocery stores, cinema tickets, holidays and more
• Wide range of wellbeing resources, supporting our teams for the ups and downs of daily life