Strategic PR & External Communications Lead

Bright Horizons; Northampton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Discounted childcare

Quarterly Employee Appreciation Weeks

Annual gala award evening

Retail discounts and perks

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

Bright Horizons is seeking a PR and External Communications Manager to shape compelling stories about our nurseries, Work&Life services and partnerships. You will lead proactive media relations across earned, owned and social channels, aligning national priorities with local stories and working with HR, Marketing and Operations teams.

You will develop an insight-led communications plan, build a strong pipeline of coverage, manage agencies and budgets, and raise the profile of Work&Life

Qualifications

• Experience in in-house or agency PR, media or integrated communications at manager level.
• Proven record of generating positive coverage across consumer, local, trade, national or business media.
• Experience of integrated PR, social and content planning with impact on reputation, engagement and employer brand.
• Experience of managing agencies, budgets and multiple priorities, using insight to demonstrate impact.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver an insight-led PR and external communications plan supporting our nursery and Work&Life businesses.
• Create a strong pipeline of positive stories, research and campaigns for local, national, childcare, education, workforce, business, HR, benefits and workplace media.
• Build productive relationships with journalists, editors and sector influencers, pitching timely ideas and securing high-quality coverage.
• Work with nursery and operational teams to uncover authentic local stories and adapt them for traditional media, social and owned channels.
• Raise the profile of Work&Life through employer partnerships, client and client-employee stories, workplace insight and executive commentary.
• Work with social media and content colleagues to plan once and use stories across earned, owned and social channels.
• Develop thought-leadership opportunities and support credible spokespeople from across Bright Horizons.
• Partner with HR, Talent Acquisition and Internal Communications to strengthen our reputation as an employer of choice through authentic stories.
• Work with the Bright Horizons Foundation to share stories about its impact and fundraising across PR, social and owned channels.
• Manage PR agencies, suppliers and budgets to deliver measurable value.
• Use media monitoring, social insight and evaluation to improve performance and support reactive communications when needed.
• Lead and develop PR team members to create a collaborative, high-performing function.
• Strong experience in an in-house or agency PR, media or integrated communications role at manager level.

Skills

Media relations

Storytelling

Strategic planning

Budget management

Agency management

Social media

Internal/External comms

Education

Degree in Marketing/PR/Communications

Job description

Bright Horizons is seeking a PR and External Communications Manager to shape compelling stories about our nurseries, Work&Life services and partnerships. You will lead proactive media relations across earned, owned and social channels, aligning national priorities with local stories and working with HR, Marketing and Operations teams.

You will develop an insight-led communications plan, build a strong pipeline of coverage, manage agencies and budgets, and raise the profile of Work&Life