Senior PR Manager

Carnival; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cruise line in Southampton is seeking a Senior PR Manager to shape and deliver the UK PR strategy. This role involves managing a PR team, handling media inquiries, and leading PR campaigns. The ideal candidate has expertise in crisis management and digital PR, with strong media relations skills. The position offers a hybrid work model and various employee benefits, including bonuses and medical insurance.

Benefits

Employee Discounted Cruising

Annual bonus

Minimum 25 days leave

Private medical insurance

In-house Occupational Health help

Qualifications

• Proven expertise in crisis and issues management.
• Strong influencer and talent management skills.
• Advanced digital PR knowledge with social media strategy experience.
• Exceptional media relations and content creation skills.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the UK PR strategy.
• Act as a key press-office contact.
• Lead and develop the PR team.
• Monitor coverage and KPIs, report ROI.

Skills

Crisis management

Influencer management

Digital PR knowledge

Media relations

Job description

Carnival UK is in search of a Senior PR Manager, who is crucial in supporting our PR direction within the P&O Cruises team to nurture a high-performing team.

Role Overview

The PR team is a dynamic and integral part of P&O Cruises, focused on attracting new audiences through imaginative and newsworthy communication strategies.

We produce stand out creative events, broadcast, digital and print moments. We run a busy proactive and reactive press office function reaching existing guests and new consumers with key brand messages through the media with journalists, influencers, celebrities, television and online digital publications.

As the largest cruise line in the UK, we also ensure that P&O Cruises is the authoritative voice of the industry and provide expert counsel and guidance in reputation and issues management.

Key accountabilities include:

• Shape and deliver the UK PR strategy, leading integrated campaigns across media, influencer, and events to achieve brand and commercial goals.
• Act as a key press‑office contact, managing proactive and reactive media enquiries, crisis communications, and participating in Emergency Response Organisation (ERO) activity.
• Lead and develop the PR team through clear direction, coaching, and performance reviews, while deputising for the VP as required.
• Monitor coverage and KPIs, report ROI, manage forecasting and budgets, and oversee suppliers, agencies, and influencer/talent negotiations.

Positioned within our internal structure from CUK15 (entry level) to CUK1 (Brand President), this role is classified as a CUK06, offered as a full-time position, on a permanent basis, we offer hybrid work including up to two days from home.

Requirements: Your Expertise and Leadership

To thrive as a Senior PR Manager, we're looking for:

• Proven expertise in crisis and issues management, including press‑office readiness and emergency response participation.
• Strong influencer and talent management skills, including contract negotiation, content approval, and delivering measurable value.
• Advanced digital PR knowledge with experience in social media strategy, media monitoring, and KPI/ROI reporting.
• Exceptional media relations and content creation skills, with a strong journalist network and ability to craft compelling narratives under pressure.

About You: A Catalyst for Change

We believe that diversity enriches our team. We're interested in candidates who:

• Self-Mastery– Open, trustworthy, reflective, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Improve & Innovate– Embraces change, drives new ideas, and delivers creative PR initiatives.
• Engage & Empower– Champions diverse perspectives, supports team wellbeing, and empowers others to succeed.
• Accountability & Commerciality– Takes ownership, delivers against KPIs, and ensures activity aligns with business objectives in a fast‑paced environment.

Why Join Us?

Working with us is about more than a job. It's about creating unforgettable holiday happiness for our guests and a fulfilling career for you.

Read our employee experience guide to learn more about life as a Carnival UK colleague.

CUK-employee-experience-guide-July-2025.pdf

Our benefits package reflects our commitment to your wellbeing:

• Employee Discounted Cruising plus Friends and Family offers
• Annual bonus
• A friendly welcome with help settling in
• Regular office events including live entertainment, lifestyle events and charity partner fundraisers
• Extensive learning and development opportunities
• Minimum 25 days leave, bank holiday allowance and holiday trading scheme
• Employee-led networks
• Employee Assistance and Wellbeing programmes
• Recognition scheme with prizes and awards
• Contributory Defined Contribution Pension scheme
• Company paid private medical and dental insurance and health assessment
• In-house Occupational Health help and access to digital GP
• Life Assurance
• Parental and adoption leave
• Employee Shares Plan
• Electric Car and Cycle to Work schemes
• Onsite restaurant offering range of healthy cooked and grab and go meals
• Discounted retail and leisure via discounts portal

Ready to Lead?

If guiding a PR team to new heights excites you, we're eager to hear from you. Apply now to start your journey with us, where your performance-led leadership will make a difference in our shared success.

Recruitment Journey

For more information on your recruitment journey, please visit https://bit.ly/CUKCandidateJourney .

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#Job Functions: Marketing; Public Relations; Writing / Editing

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