Event and PR Section Manager

Honda Motor Europe; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Honda Motor Europe is seeking a Senior Events & PR Section Manager to lead European PR and events activities, delivering audience-led programmes that engage media, influencers, consumers and European branches.

The role involves managing launches, media campaigns and influencer events across Europe, coordinating with multiple stakeholders and agencies, and travelling to different markets as required. A strong track record in automotive PR and cross‑border communications is essential.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading PR and events activity within a commercially focused organisation.
• Experience delivering large-scale product launches, media events and consumer experiences.
• Proven ability to manage agencies, suppliers and event partners.
• Ability to travel to PR and Events activity across the European region when required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the European PR Specialist, creating opportunities for growth.
• Manage agencies, suppliers and programme budgets effectively.
• Monitor programme performance and identify opportunities to improve effectiveness.
• Provide recommendations to senior leadership regarding EU PR and Events priorities.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement across PR and Events.

Skills

PR & events leadership

Product launches

Media relations

Travel flexibility

Cross-cultural collaboration

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

European experience

Automotive industry exposure

Job description

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At Honda we embrace inclusion in our various policies, so whilst our contracts state that the hours are as required to fulfil the role with a minimum of 35 hours per week, we offer flexibility for when you work. The regular office hours are 08:00-16:00 Monday to Thursday with a half hour lunch break & 08:00-13:00 on a Friday. However, we offer flexibility of when you work with our daily flex-time start of between 07:00 and 11:00 providing that there is no business requirement.

Whilst there is no contractual right to work from home, the flexibility we offer is that you can request to work from home 2 days per week, again providing there is no business requirement to attend the office.

Role:

At Honda, we start with people's dreams and engineer experiences that bring them to life.
Events and Public Relations play a vital role in how audiences discover, experience and talk about Honda. Through product launches, media engagement and compelling stories, we create moments that build reputation, generate advocacy and support commercial success.
The Honda Motor Europe (HME) Automobile Events & PR Section Manager leads Honda's European Events and PR activity, delivering audience-led programmes that engage media, influencers, consumers and European branches.
From European PR launch events and media drives to PR campaigns and influencer events, the role is responsible for creating impactful experiences and stories that showcase Honda's innovation, engineering excellence and unique point of view. Every initiative should generate high-quality content, meaningful earned influence and lasting value for the business.
Working closely with the Press Fleet Section Manager, Product Planning, Corporate Communications and European branches, the role helps deliver a consistent and effective approach to Events and PR across Europe. Through practical tools, clear standards and collaborative ways of working, the role supports branches in delivering outstanding communications activity that reflects Honda's ambition and quality.
The position manages the European PR Specialist and oversees agencies, production partners and suppliers, ensuring every programme is delivered with creativity, professionalism and the attention to detail that defines Honda.
The role holder will be required to travel to PR and Events activity across the European region as required. Additionally, the role holder will be required to travel approximately once per month for face-to-face meetings and local Gemba.

Main Responsibilities:

Product Launches

Working with the wider PR and Communications team, bring Honda's latest products to life through launch experiences that inspire audiences, generate advocacy and maximise earned influence across Europe.

• Develop and deliver European launch plans, including PR media events, media drive programmes, press communications and consumer experiences where appropriate.
• Create compelling launch assets, including press materials, presentations, photography and video.
• Support European branches in delivering exceptional media experiences and building strong relationships with key media and content creators.
• Manage agencies, production partners and suppliers to deliver launch programmes to the highest standards.
• Evaluate launch performance, capture learnings and continuously improve future programmes.

PR & Brand Engagement

Keep Honda visible, relevant and talked about between launch moments through proactive PR, events and earned-first storytelling.

• Deliver audience-led PR, influencer and experiential programmes supporting product and brand.
• Create stories and experiences that capture attention, spark conversation and help audiences connect with Honda.
• Develop messaging, press materials and reactive communications in partnership with Corporate Communications and business stakeholders.
• Consider if content, stories and assets created can be shared and amplified across paid, owned and earned channels.
• Define and maintain European standards, frameworks and governance processes for Events and PR activities.
• Identify opportunities to increase earned influence, media coverage and audience engagement across Europe.

European Integration

Support a consistent and effective European approach to PR and Events delivery, helping teams achieve more together.

• Work with the Press Fleet Section Manager, Product Planning, Communications teams and European branches to deliver integrated PR and Events programmes.
• Develop practical guidance, templates and tools that support high-quality and consistent delivery across Europe.
• Share ideas, learnings and best practice across markets, encouraging collaboration and continual improvement.
• Act as the European point of expertise for PR and Events planning and delivery.

Leadership & Performance

• Lead, coach and develop the European PR Specialist, creating opportunities for growth and professional development.
• Manage agencies, suppliers and programme budgets effectively.
• Monitor programme performance and identify opportunities to improve effectiveness, efficiency and impact.
• Provide recommendations to senior leadership regarding European PR and Events priorities, campaign effectiveness, communication opportunities and reputational risks.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement across PR and Events.
• Create an environment where people can do their best work, continue learning and deliver exceptional results together.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

Required

• Significant experience leading PR and Events activity within a commercially focused organisation.
• Experience delivering large-scale product launches, media events and consumer experiences.
• Experience developing PR programmes, media communications and press materials.
• Ability to travel to PR and Events activity across the European region when required.
• A naturally curious mindset, with the ability to identify stories, opportunities and audience insights that strengthen reputation and influence.
• Ability to build strong, trusted relationships and work collaboratively across cultures, markets and functions.
• A proactive approach to problem solving, with confidence to challenge convention and explore new ways of creating impact.
• Proven ability to manage agencies, suppliers and event partners.
• Strong project management and organisational skills, balancing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience leading and developing people.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to measure performance and maximise return on investment.
• Automotive or other high-consideration category experience.
• Experience operating within a European divisional structure.
• Experience managing European media relationships.
• Strong understanding of integrated paid, owned and earned communications.
• Demonstrated passion for innovation, mobility, technology or the role products play in improving people's lives.
• Experience creating programmes that combine earned media, experiences and storytelling to build lasting audience engagement.

Honda is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in the workplace for all employees, temporary workers, contractors, applicants and visitors. Honda also encourages respect for the individual differences and talents of others while making full use of one's own abilities, based on Honda's philosophy of respect for the individual.

At Honda, we value and celebrate diversity and are committed to being a fair, non-discriminatory company that promotes and welcomes the uniqueness and differences of people around the world. We recognise that a diverse workforce allows for different ideas and perspectives, and we encourage everyone to share them. We strive to foster a culture of belonging that is consistent with Honda's core values and lived out in the way we work and respect each other. For us at Honda, diversifying our workforce means increasing its overall strength by providing people with equal opportunities - regardless of personal characteristics or previous careers.

This commitment flows directly from the Honda philosophy and the belief that we are all working towards a common goal. Honda recruits, hires, trains and promotes the most qualified/experienced individuals at all levels without regard to race, origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other protected characteristic.

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