Press Officer

The Popeyes; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading restaurant chain is seeking an experienced Press Officer to join their Marketing team on a freelance basis for 6 months. This senior PR role involves leading press office activities during a key growth phase, managing media inquiries, developing press releases, and shaping corporate communications. The ideal candidate has strong experience in a similar role, ideally within the food or hospitality sector, along with excellent writing and communication skills. Benefits include competitive salary, private healthcare, and 33 days of holiday.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Private healthcare

33 days holiday

Career development opportunities

Gym discounts

Qualifications

• Strong experience in a Press Officer or similar PR role.
• Proven track record in corporate, consumer, and public affairs PR.
• Experience within food, beverage or hospitality industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver press office activity across restaurant openings.
• Manage media inquiries and develop press releases.
• Oversee crisis communications and manage PR budgets.

Skills

Press Officer experience

Media relations

Crisis communications

Excellent writing skills

Organization skills

Job description

We're looking for an experienced Press Officer to join our Marketing team on a freelance contract for 6 months, with the potential for the role to extend. This is a hands‑on, senior PR role where you'll lead our press office activity during a key phase of growth, working closely with senior leaders and agency partners.

What You'll Do

• Lead and deliver press office activity across restaurant openings, expansion and corporate communications
• Manage media enquiries, including reactive and issues‑based PR, with professionalism and clarity
• Develop and distribute press releases, media pitches and business announcements
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists across trade, business, regional and deals media
• Partner with the Marketing Director and CMO to shape the corporate narrative and communications calendar
• Oversee crisis communications, reputation management, awards and leadership profiling
• Monitor and analyse media coverage and performance against benchmarks and ROI
• Manage PR budgets, agency relationships and collaborate with marketing, brand and social teams to ensure consistent, integrated messaging

Qualifications

• Strong experience in a Press Officer or similar PR role, agency‑side or in‑house
• A proven track record across corporate, consumer and public affairs PR
• Experience within food, beverage or hospitality, ideally QSR
• Established relationships with trade and corporate media
• Confidence handling reactive media and sensitive situations in fast‑paced environments
• Excellent writing, storytelling and communication skills
• A curious, creative and commercially minded approach
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities to deadline

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Private healthcare + Life assurance
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays) + your birthday off
• Career development and progression opportunities
• Access to wellbeing and lifestyle benefits through our platform
• Cycle to work scheme and gym discounts

At Popeyes, everyone counts. Inclusivity and respect sit at the heart of who we are, and we strive to create a place where everyone can be their true self. That's why we assess each application on the aptitude to do the job - and nothing else.