Placement Year : Press Office Assistant (2026-27)

Kia UK; Walton-on-Thames; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive brand in the UK is seeking a PR specialist to manage projects and liaise with media. You will support the PR team, contribute to content development, and attend industry events. A driving license is required as travel for events is essential. The role offers flexible working hours, hybrid options and a range of employee benefits, reflecting a commitment to staff wellbeing and growth.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Hybrid working

Employee car scheme

Onsite chef

Private medical care

Annual health checks

Private dental care

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

Wellness benefits

Free sports clubs

Social events and celebrations

Qualifications

• Experience in running PR projects.
• Proficiency in developing media exposure.
• Ability to support and collaborate with teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage own PR projects and media relations.
• Support the creation and management of media events.
• Monitor media coverage and reporting.

Skills

Media relations

Content creation

Networking

Financial handling

Education

Driving license

Job description

Responsibilities

• Running your own PR projects, then developing the media exposure these projects receive
• Representing the brand in front of the UK media (including major product launches)
• Contributing to press releases, pulling content from across the entire business
• Supporting our Head of PR, PR Manager, PR Operations Manager and wider Press Office team to achieve a best‑in‑class service to the UK media. We’re consistently rated the no.1 automotive press office in the UK
• Monitoring media coverage and reporting back to the Head of PR, as well as general reporting within Kia UK and to Kia Europe
• Supporting the PR Operations Manager and Events Coordinator in the creation and management of media events
• Networking with UK journalist at events, industry organised gatherings and other opportunities
• Working with our agencies to ensure support us effectively
• Dealing with a wide range of media enquiries and liaise with all business departments and suppliers
• Simple financial handling to ensure our projects and events go ahead as planned

About the role

If you want, we can arrange for you to do some work experience at one of the UK’s leading automotive magazines – no pressure! Please note: for this role you will require a driving license as you’ll be required to travel across the country and Europe for events and projects.

This role will encourage you to act quickly, test your flexibility, and motivate you to constantly adapt to new things (exactly what the media expects from us). You can get a huge amount of experience, knowledge and skills out of a year with us, so we’d love to welcome someone with big dreams that we can support.

About Kia UK

Kia UK is a leading automotive brand offering one of the industry's largest range of models across multiple vehicle segments and was the fourth most popular UK car brand in 2024. With 190 Kia dealers across the country, Kia is now widely known for its advanced electrified products offering the technology of tomorrow, today. Spearheading this charge are award‑winning products including the fully electric EV6 – Kia's first dedicated electric vehicle, the 2024 World Car of the Year the EV9 and the 2025 World Car of the Year the all‑new electric compact SUV the EV3!

Kia UK has consistently grown for over 30 years, supported by bold design, quality products and ever‑evolving customer service. By 2027, the brand aims to offer no less than nine fully electric vehicles in the UK, a positive step toward becoming a leading global sustainable mobility solutions provider. People are central to Kia UK and every day is an opportunity to learn something new and to grow personally and professionally. This has been recognised with Kia UK already named as one of the UK's Best Workplaces 2025 by Great Place To Work®, and also ranked in the 2025 Best Workplaces for Development & Wellbeing.

At Kia, we are committed to employing the best-qualified people and provide equal opportunity for the advancement of employees including promotion and training and thereby not discriminating against any person because of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, belief or disability.

Benefits

Flexible working hours (core hours between 10:00 am‑3:00 pm); Hybrid working (up to 2 days a week remote working pro rata); Employee car scheme (car lease + insurance all included from £85/month); Onsite chef – free lunch every day; Private medical care (Vitality); Annual health checks and free flu jabs offered onsite; Private dental care (Denplan, £0 excess); Pension with enhanced employer contribution; Life assurance, critical illness protection; 24 days annual leave + bank holidays; Wellness benefits including free eye tests, employee assistance programme, mental health first aiders and more; Financial hub providing free financial guidance and support; Enhanced maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 6 months full pay); Enhanced paternity leave; Free weekly yoga, football, and badminton clubs; Pool tables, dart board, and massage chairs onsite; Opportunity to get involved & give back via our charity partners; Birthday vouchers, celebrations such as our spring ball, Christmas events, social club and much more!