PR / Communications Manager

Academy Education Network Ltd; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Academy Education Network Ltd is seeking a PR / Communications Manager to shape how the organisation communicates with media, customers, and staff. You'll manage media relations, press releases, and crisis communications, while also leading internal communications and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate has strong writing skills, an understanding of digital media, and experience in crisis communications. A professional qualification such as CIPR is preferred. This role offers significant career progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in media relations, crisis communications, internal communications, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong writing and briefing skills.
• Understanding of digital media and influencer engagement.

Responsibilities

• Manage media relations, press releases, and crisis communications.
• Lead internal communications and stakeholder engagement.
• Specialise in corporate PR, consumer PR, public affairs, and crisis management.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Internal communications

Stakeholder engagement

Writing and briefing skills

Understanding of digital media

Education

CIPR Foundation/Diploma or equivalent

Job description

What does a PR / Communications Manager do?

PR and Communications Managers shape how organisations communicate with media, customers, staff and the wider public. Their day‑to‑day work includes press release writing, journalist relationships, crisis communications planning, executive media training, internal newsletters, social media strategy, event management and increasingly digital influencer relations. The UK market is split between agency‑side (Edelman, Weber Shandwick, FleishmanHillard, Ogilvy PR) and client‑side/in‑house (FTSE 100 corporate teams, NHS Trusts, government departments, NGOs, political campaigns).

• Manage media relations, press releases and crisis communications
• Lead internal communications and stakeholder engagement
• Specialise in corporate PR, consumer PR, public affairs, internal communications, crisis management
• Work for leading agencies, FTSE 100 in‑house teams, NHS, government departments

Typical career progression

Years 0‑2: Junior Account Executive / PR Officer – support senior teams, build core media‑relations and writing skills.

Years 2‑5: Account Executive / PR Manager – run own client accounts or PR work‑streams; complete CIPR Foundation qualification.

Years 5‑8: Senior PR Manager / Account Director – lead major accounts or PR functions; take strategic stakeholder responsibility; complete CIPR Diploma or MA in Communications.

Year 8+: Head of Communications / Director of PR – c‑suite adjacent, manage full communications strategy including crisis preparedness.

Qualification requirements

• Experience in media relations, crisis communications, internal communications, stakeholder engagement
• Strong writing and briefing skills
• Understanding of digital media and influencer engagement
• Professional qualification such as CIPR Foundation/Diploma or equivalent