We’re recruiting for a brand new position at Wickes to support our growing Community Programme. As a responsible business, we’ve launched an initiative that gives back to local organisations and groups in need of a little renovation or improvement. And we’re looking for someone with a passion for charity and storytelling to help us shine a light on these projects and the support we provide.  

As the PR & Community Programme Manager you will run in-house media outreach within the Marketing department at Wickes. This role gives an exciting opportunity for an experienced PR manager to lead the strategy, build on the programme and work with our integrated team on implementation across channels such as internal comms, email, social and online. 

Based in our Watford Support Centre (with some scope to work flexibly at home), you will have the autonomy to drive the initiative forward and maximise opportunities with key media. Additionally, you’ll have great project management and communication skills, as you’ll need to liaise with external organisations, photographers and our stores to be able to collate and tell the right stories to media, customers and stakeholders. 

We’re a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel at home and can be their authentic selves. This role will be perfect for someone looking to make a move in-house with Account Manager experience in agency or an existing PR Manager looking for a new challenge in order to flex their experience. 

Key Accountabilities:

• Managing the overall Wickes Community Programme; a product donation fund to help local communities renovate communal spaces. This programme is available in over 230 Wickes stores, plus distribution and support centres 

• Marketing the Community Programme internally with the help of an assistant (non-direct report), and recommending how it could grow and develop

• Managing both proactive and reactive media liaison for Community Programme, together with other subjects that fall under our ‘Personality’ pillar in relation to charity, communities and people 

• Building and maintaining excellent relationships with relevant journalists, collating up to date media lists

• Identifying opportunities to tell stories within national, digital, consumer and broadcast media 

• Writing and issuing press releases to media, together with other comms materials such as case studies 

• Managing Wickes colleagues in regards to any media interviews on the Community Programme, including the development of briefing notes and media backgrounders 

• Managing all marketing materials and campaigns in relation to the Community Programme

• Copywriting, when required, for annual reports to support our Responsible Business Strategy

• Managing photography to support projects,  including booking and briefing photographers, together with approving assets with support of assistant 

• Developing and maintaining relationships with our commercial suppliers and logistic partners to support the Community Programme with support from assistant 

• Reporting on the performance of Community Programme with support from assistant 

• Budgeting and phasing of the Community Programme donation budget

What we are looking for:

• +5 years experience of working in PR (in-house or agency)

• Interest in current affairs and passion for CSR 

• Proven track record in generating high reaching, positive PR 

• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to craft compelling press releases

• Ability to build strong relationships, internally and externally  

• A creative thinker and the ability to self start

• Able to prioritise day-to-day tasks and make decisions within established guidelines and deadlines

• Reliable, responsive and able to identify and solve problems with minimal guidance

• Organised, proactive and confident 

• Graduate level 

What can we offer you?

We’ll equip you with a benefits package that includes 

• Competitive bonus

• Save-as-you-earn scheme

• Private Medical and Life Assurance

• Contributory pension scheme

• Colleague discount 

• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme

Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. 

We have recently re-opened our Support Centre in Watford, where our Marketing team are based, along with our other support functions.  We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture.  We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.