Director, Communications and Public Relations

FIFTH SEASON; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

FIFTH SEASON, headquartered in London, seeks a Director of Communications and Public Relations to lead the Television Distribution division’s global communications strategy. You will shape press plans, brand messaging and executive positioning across markets, ensuring consistency with the company’s values.

You will partner with Marketing, Sales, producers and platform partners to manage publicity around new titles, acquisitions, and partnerships.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years in press, publicity or communications.
• Established relationships with journalists and media.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Global perspective across markets and time zones.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a global communications and PR strategy for Television Distribution.
• Create an annual communications plan aligned with commercial, content and brand priorities.
• Identify opportunities to build awareness of FIFTH SEASON as a premium distribution partner.
• Ensure TVD messaging aligns with FIFTH SEASON’s positioning and values.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to the EVP of Television Distribution and senior leadership.
• Lead communications around acquisitions, producer relationships, business developments, and sales milestones.
• Develop international publicity strategies for priority titles with Marketing, Sales, producers, commissioners and platform partners.
• Lead announcements, returns, acquisitions and third-party partnerships.
• Draft and oversee press releases, corporate statements, Q&As, speeches, presentations.
• Manage media inquiries and secure interviews and thought-leadership opportunities.
• Coordinate messaging with PCG, US communications group and external stakeholders.
• Maintain confidential announcements protocols.
• Lead communications for major markets, festivals and industry events.
• Develop market-specific press strategies and media schedules.
• Support sales and marketing in priority titles and territories.
• Identify speaking opportunities and executive appearances.
• Coordinate communications with external partners.
• Develop briefing materials for speeches, interviews and messaging for executives.
• Build external profiles of key leaders through media opportunities.
• Prepare executives for interviews and panels.
• Support internal communications when required.
• Establish measures for communications impact.
• Monitor media coverage and executive visibility.
• Provide regular reports and refine priorities.

Skills

Press & publicity

Media relations

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Global mindset

Leadership

Brand understanding

Job description

Director, Communications and Public Relations

About FIFTH SEASON

FIFTH SEASON is an entertainment industry leader specializing in the development, production, financing, and distribution of premium films, television series, and documentaries. Known for its artist-first approach, the company has produced critically acclaimed films such as Book Club, The Lost Daughter, Nonnas, and Friendship, as well as award-winning series like Severance, His & Hers, Nine Perfect Strangers, Omnivore, and Tokyo Vice. FIFTH SEASON operates with a full-service worldwide distribution infrastructure and boasts a vast network of production hubs across North America, Europe, and Asia. In addition to its successful slate of original productions, FIFTH SEASON’s global distribution arm handles a robust third-party library of hundreds of titles, including hit series such as Killing Eve, Normal People, The Morning Show, and The Night Manager. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, New York, and London, with offices worldwide. Shareholders include CJ ENM, Toho, and Endeavor.

Our Culture:

A studio with a soul, FIFTH SEASON is proud to be an anti-racist and feminist company, focused on leaving the entertainment business better than we found it. We empower freedom and ownership, delivering the expertise of a big studio with the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of a start-up.

We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth in a dynamic and exciting industry. The ideal candidate is driven and hungry to learn and wants to be in the trenches of the entertainment industry. If you meet the above requirements and are excited about this opportunity, we invite you to apply.

Key responsibilities

Communications strategy

• Develop and implement a global communications and PR strategy for the Television Distribution business.
• Create an annual communications plan aligned with the division’s commercial, content and brand priorities.
• Identify proactive opportunities to build awareness of FIFTH SEASON as a premium, innovative and commercially focused global distribution partner.
• Ensure Television Distribution messaging is consistent with FIFTH SEASON’s broader company positioning and values.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to the EVP of Television Distribution and senior leadership team.

Corporate, Trade and Title Communications

• Lead communications around acquisitions, producer relationships, business developments, priority titles and key sales milestones.
• Develop international publicity strategies for priority titles in partnership with Marketing, Sales, producers, commissioners and platform partners.
• Lead communications around new title announcements, returning series, acquisitions and third-party distribution partnerships.
• Draft and oversee press releases, corporate statements, executive briefing documents, Q&As, speeches, presentations, talking points and manage all internal and external approvals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with television trade press, business media and relevant international industry publications.
• Manage incoming media enquiries relating to the Television Distribution business.
• Identify and secure interviews, profiles, panels, podcasts and other thought-leadership opportunities for senior executives within the TVD team.
• Ensure publicity plans support the commercial positioning and international sales strategy for each title.
• Coordinate messaging, materials, approvals and announcement timings with internal and external stakeholders, including PCG, FIFTH SEASON’s US communications group.
• Maintain appropriate communications protocols for confidential, sensitive or commercially significant announcements.

Markets, events and industry engagement

• Lead communications planning for major television markets, screenings, festivals and industry events.
• Develop market-specific press strategies, announcements, executive briefing materials and media schedules.
• Work with Sales and Marketing to ensure communications activity supports priority titles, territories and buyer relationships.
• Identify and manage speaking opportunities, panels, roundtables, screenings and executive appearances.
• Coordinate communications with external producers, production companies, broadcasters, platforms and other partners.

Executive communications

• Develop briefing materials for speeches, presentations, opinion pieces, interviews and messaging for senior Television Distribution executives.
• Build the external profiles of key leaders through targeted media and industry opportunities.
• Prepare executives for interviews, panels, screenings, markets and sensitive announcements.
• Support internal communications from the Television Distribution leadership team when required.

Measurement and reporting

• Establish meaningful measures for communications performance and impact.
• Monitor media coverage, executive visibility, message penetration and industry response.
• Provide regular reports and recommendations to Television Distribution leadership.
• Use insights to refine communications priorities and identify future opportunities.

Skills & Experience

• At least 4 years’ experience in press, publicity or communications, ideally within the television or entertainment industry.
• Established relationships with journalists and media outlets, with a strong understanding of the international media landscape.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences, markets and stakeholders.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with creative talent, senior executives and commercial teams.
• A global mindset, with the ability to navigate different cultures, markets and time zones.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines.
• A collaborative approach, with the confidence to build consensus, influence stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Proven leadership skills, including the ability to develop talent, provide direction and motivate a team.
• A strong understanding of brands, culture and the evolving media landscape, with an instinct for identifying relevant stories and opportunities.