PR Manager

Hobbycraft; Christchurch; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading craft retailer is seeking a PR Manager to lead public relations initiatives, enhance brand awareness, and manage media relations. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in PR, with experience in consumer brands or retail. This full-time role offers a competitive salary and a hybrid working model, combining office work and remote flexibility.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

25% Discount Card

Free Onsite Parking

33 days holiday inclusive of Bank Holidays

Hybrid Working

Qualifications

• Proven track record in PR, ideally within consumer brands or retail.
• Experience developing and executing PR campaigns aligned to brand and commercial goals.
• Demonstrated success in influencer engagement and collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive PR plans.
• Manage external PR agency and oversee media enquiries.
• Provide regular insights through PR reports.

Skills

Media relations

Project management

Stakeholder management

Influencer engagement

Job description

Overview

The vacancy

Role: PR Manager
Location: Bournemouth
Reference: HOB1144927
Closing Date: 24.10.2025
PR Manager - Hobbycraft Head Office, BH23 6HG

Creativity is Hobbycraft’s reason for being, so when you join our fantastic team, you will be surrounded by like-minded imaginative people. We believe that working together and embracing new and innovative ideas are the best way to make our colleagues feel part of something.

Pension with a 4% contribution, 25 days holiday increasing every year, 25% discount in our stores

This is a full-time role, working 37.5 hours. Our core business hours are Monday to Friday – 10am to 3pm with a flexible approach to start and finish times

Our hybrid working model is 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home

Key Purpose of Role

The PR Manager will lead all public relations activity to strengthen brand awareness, manage media relations, key influencer partnerships and internal marketing channels including LinkedIn. You’ll ensure Hobbycraft has a strong and consistent presence across key media channels, delivering campaign launches and key events, and driving our PR agency to help achieve Hobbycraft’s ambitious growth plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive PR plans at both local and national level
• Manage the external PR agency, providing updates on product launches, sales, and trading calendars
• Oversee all media enquiries, interview requests, and PR activities
• Provide regular insights through weekly, monthly, and annual PR reports
• Support the delivery of seasonal press events and special PR activities in partnership with the agency
• Drive PR activity for major campaigns, new store openings and ad-hoc opportunities, ensuring KPIs are met
• Manage the PR budget, ensuring expenditure aligns with the approved activity plan
• Support internal communications, leading PR for team initiatives and managing the company’s LinkedIn presence
• Lead and support award submissions, published reports, and ad-hoc requests to maintain positive brand sentiment
• Ensure PR agency performance is aligned to agreed KPIs for consumer, trade, corporate, local and national PR objectives
• Work with the affiliate network agency to maximise PR opportunities

Influencers

• Manage selected influencer partnerships in line with PR plans to enhance brand awareness and engagement

Charity, ESG and EDIB

• The PR Manager will also play a key role in communicating our sustainability agenda and championing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB), ensuring all PR activity reflects the company’s Mission and Values.
• Lead PR and communications for ESG initiatives, ensuring all activity reflects our environmental commitments
• Work with the Diversity & Inclusion Lead to embed EDIB principles across all PR and media activity
• Support communications around our core charity partnerships with Mind and Together for Short Lives

Experience Required

• Proven track record in PR (consumer, trade, corporate, local, and national), ideally within consumer brands or retail.
• Experience developing and executing PR campaigns aligned to brand and commercial goals.
• Demonstrated success in influencer engagement and collaborations.
• Familiarity with crisis communications and reputation management.
• Experience managing PR agencies and holding them accountable for results.
• Exposure to internal communications and thought leadership, including LinkedIn content.
• Affiliate experience preferred but not essential.

Skills Required

• Strong understanding of the media landscape and proven ability to secure coverage.
• Ability to measure PR effectiveness (KPIs, share of voice, coverage analysis).
• Excellent project management skills; able to manage multiple campaigns and launches simultaneously.
• Confident stakeholder manager, comfortable presenting to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of digital and social media, and how PR integrates with influencer content.
• Highly motivated and results-driven, with a focus on delivering impactful campaigns.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships.
• Proactive self-starter, excited by performance-driven growth and retail innovation.

Attributes

• Commercially aware, understanding how PR contributes to brand growth and sales.
• Creative and proactive, bringing fresh ideas for campaigns and storytelling.
• Calm under pressure, able to manage challenges with professionalism.
• Naturally collaborative, working effectively with marketing, trading, digital, and external partners.

Practical Requirements

• Comfortable working flexibly, including occasional out-of-hours events or launches.
• Experience managing budgets and tracking spend effectively.
• Full driving licence required, with ability to travel to Head Office and stores as needed (hybrid working standard).

What’s in it for me?

• Competitive Salary
• 25% Discount Card for Hobbycraft Stores and Haskins
• Free Onsite Parking
• EV Charging Point
• Free Hot Drinks
• 33 days holiday inclusive of Bank Holidays with an increase each holiday year
• Birthday Day Off
• Hybrid Working
• Company pension contribution – up to 4% contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme provided by Retail Trust
• Cash Health Plan with Health Shield
• Contribution towards eyesight test and glasses
• Subsidised gym membership
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Long service awards and gifts
• Continuous training, development, and performance management
• Colleague Wellness Programme
• A creative working environment
• Colleague Social Events throughout the year including Summer and Christmas events

Accessibility and Equal Opportunity

We are completely committed to supporting anyone with a disability in applying for our vacancies. If you have a disability and require support throughout our recruitment process, you can contact us at [e-mail] and let us know what adjustments you may need.

Hobbycraft is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to equal and fair treatment for all colleagues or potential colleagues irrespective of race, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origins, religion or belief, disability, age, gender, marital or family status. We regularly review our policies and practices to ensure compliance and best practice.

About Us

We’re here to help you create

Our passion for craft is at the centre of everything we do. This is reflected in our store colleagues, who are always on hand to help, and our vast, carefully selected range of quality products. Throughout the year, we host workshops and demos in stores and online to help you master a craft or refine a beloved one.

We support everyone on their crafting journey, from parents to student artists to hobbyists. Why not come into your local Hobbycraft store today and find the perfect craft for you?

What’s Needed

• Customer service
• Creative
• Knowledgeable

Documents