PR & Communications Manager
PR & Communications Manager
Role Summary
As the PR & Communications Manager, you will be at the heart of our fast-paced Media and Communications team, focusing on promoting the region regionally, nationally, and internationally as a leading destination for business and investment. A core aspect of the job will involve generating perception-changing stories on the region's key sectors of strength, which include: Tech & Creative; Professional & Financial Services; Advanced Manufacturing; Life Sciences; and Low Carbon Technologies. You will also be responsible for briefing senior officials on the desired narrative surrounding the region's thriving economy.
This is a remote working opportunity until a date is agreed for the workforce to return to the usual place of work at the main office building in Birmingham.
Our priority is to keep all our employees safe and well during this time. We will be working remotely for the foreseeable future, and we are doing everything we can to ensure all our employees can enjoy a comfortable remote working space.
Main Responsibilities and Key Activities
- Develop and deliver a B2B communications strategy to raise awareness surrounding the region's key sectors: Tech & Creative, Professional & Financial Services, Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Low Carbon, supporting the inward investment team with lead generation.
- Develop technical and compelling B2B focused opinion-editorials, press releases, quotes, thought leadership, and speeches, aligning to the region's key sectors, positioning the region as a globally leading investment location.
- Work closely with sector leads across the Business Attraction (investment) team to develop expert knowledge that will support the creation of sector-focused propositions, messaging, content, and events. Additionally, work closely with the Business Attraction team to support new and existing investors in the region.
- Lead on the management of the company's B2B PR agency to deliver a comprehensive global programme of media relations designed to build awareness surrounding the region.
- Build lasting relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and investors in order to identify and implement opportunities to promote the region's key sectors.
- Lead on the monitoring, reporting, and evaluation surrounding the B2B agency and investment communications function, utilizing CRM.
- Support the Corporate Communications Manager with investment messaging and ensure accurate corporate alignment with the investment narrative.
- Lead crisis and reactive communications in response to negative news stories or reports relating to the region's sector-focused economic strategy.
Dimensions
- Reporting to the Head of Media and Communications, as part of the central communications team, working closely with the wider Business Attraction, sector-focused team.
- The role will span external communications, media relations and PR agency management, stakeholder communications, and evaluation and reporting.
- Key relationships externally include media, local authorities across the region, the company's commercial partner network, and regional investors.
Requirements
- Ability to manage PR agencies including finance and time management.
- Ability to accurately compose strong B2B communications materials to the highest editorial standards.
- Able to produce compelling content such as press releases and case studies to support sector-focused campaigns.
- Team player with strong collaboration skills and the ability to maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders.
- Ability to work in an agile way in a reactive environment.
- Relationships with key B2B press.
- Interest in continually and creatively developing external B2B communications.
- Stakeholder relations at a regional and national level.
- Flexibility to work across a multi-faceted programme.
- Proactive in ensuring work is delivered and targets met.
Knowledge and Experience
- Experience within a similar B2B role.
- Experience of pitching to national and international business press.
- Understanding of delivering communications to promote sectors including Tech & Creative, Professional & Financial Services, Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Low Carbon.
- Delivery of B2B communications for stakeholders and partner audiences.
- Ability to work as part of an integrated team.
- Knowledge of the region and its public/private sector landscape.
- Experience of trade & investment communications.
- Knowledge of using internal CRM systems.
- Experience of working closely with central government departments.
