PR & Events Manager

Changan UK R&D Centre Ltd.; Coleshill Heath; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Changan UK R&D Centre Ltd. is seeking a dynamic PR & Events Manager to drive growth, raise brand awareness, and strengthen UK market equity. You will lead high-impact campaigns, manage events, and collaborate with national media, influencers, and our retailer network.

You will oversee agency partners, coordinate with UK Marketing Director and European teams, and translate engineering and EV tech into compelling media narratives for automotive, fleet, and lifestyle outlets.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in PR, communications, and event management (in-house or at a leading agency).
• Strong, active contacts across UK national, automotive, fleet, lifestyle, and business editorial desks.
• Proven track record in orchestrating end-to-end media drive programmes, dynamic vehicle reveal events, and large-scale experiential showcases.
• Skilled at pivoting from launch setups to sustained brand building, scaling audience engagement through storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and deliver an ambitious annual PR and communications strategy focused on amplifying UK brand awareness and editorial share of voice.
• Deepen relationships with key UK automotive, business, technology, fleet, and lifestyle media, as well as digital content creators.
• Plan, manage, and deliver press events, media drives, automotive exhibitions, and experiential consumer activations for upcoming model introductions.
• Oversee the strategic allocation and logistics of the UK media evaluation fleet for editorial test coverage.
• Collaborate with the franchised retailer network, equipping them with localized PR toolkits and media support.
• Identify and brief senior UK/European executives for high-profile speaking opportunities and media interviews.
• Procure and direct agencies with KPI tracking and budget management in line with brand guidelines.
• Coordinate crisis communications and reactive messaging in alignment with European leadership.
• Develop analytics to monitor sentiment, ROI, and reach for continuous brand growth.

Skills

Proven Track Record

Established Media Network

Event Excellence

Strategic Growth Mindset

Communication Skills

Cross-Functional Leadership

Language Skills

Education

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related discipline

Job description

Competitive, rewarding compensation package, based on your qualifications and experience.

Permanent

Birmingham B37 7YG, UK

About the Role

With the Changan UK launch phase completed and foundations now in place, the UK PR & Events Manager will lead the brand's next phase: driving sustained growth, heightening brand awareness, and building long-term equity in the UK market. This role transitions our communications strategy from market entry to proactive scale and cultural resonance. You will spearhead high-impact PR campaigns, dynamic experiential events, and strategic media engagements that position Changan as a clear choice in modern mobility. Managing agency partners, collaborating with our nationwide retail network, and working closely with the UK Marketing Director and European communications teams, you will champion the brand's narrative across automotive, fleet, national, and lifestyle media.

Requirements

Proven Track Record: Demonstrable experience in PR, communications, and event management (in-house or at a leading agency).

Established Media Network: Strong, active contacts across UK national, automotive, fleet, lifestyle, and business editorial desks.

Event Excellence: Proven track record in orchestrating end-to-end media drive programmes, dynamic vehicle reveal events, and large-scale experiential showcases.

Strategic Growth Mindset: Skilled at pivoting from launch setups to sustained brand building, scaling audience engagement through creative storytelling and impactful narratives.

Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English; adept at translating engineering, software, and EV technologies into compelling media copy.

Cross-Functional & Agency Leadership: Proven ability to manage agency partners, vendor budgets, and cross-functional teams within a fast-moving, multi-market corporate framework.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related discipline (or equivalent practical experience).

Language Skills: Proficiency in Mandarin is advantageous, though not essential.

Duties & Responsibilities

Brand Growth & PR Strategy: Formulate and deliver an ambitious annual PR and communications strategy focused on amplifying UK brand awareness, driving positive sentiment, and increasing editorial share of voice.

Media & Influencer Relations: Deepen and proactively cultivate relationships with key UK automotive, business, technology, fleet, and lifestyle media, as well as digital content creators and opinion formers.

Experiential Events & Launches: Plan, manage, and deliver world-class press events, media driving launches, major automotive exhibitions, and experiential consumer activations for upcoming model introductions.

Press Fleet Management: Oversee the strategic allocation, operational logistics, and reporting of the dedicated UK media evaluation fleet to maximise editorial test coverage and long-term reviews.

Dealer Network PR Activation: Collaborate with our 45-strong (and growing) franchised retailer network, equipping them with localized PR toolkits and supporting local media, community, and showroom milestone initiatives.

Executive Profiling & Thought Leadership: Identify, coordinate, and brief senior UK and European executives for high-profile speaking opportunities, thought‑leadership features, and tier‑one media interviews.

Agency Management: Procure and direct agencies, ensuring clear briefing, robust KPI tracking, budgetary efficiency, and consistent alignment with UK and global brand guidelines.

Issues & Reputation Management: Manage day-to-day media inquiries, coordinate reactive messaging, and provide robust crisis communications support in alignment with European leadership.

Measurement & Analytics: Utilise and develop analytics to monitor media sentiment, campaign ROI, AVE, and qualitative reach, transforming data into actionable insights for continuous brand growth.