We're looking for a passionate PR and Community Executive (12 month FTC - maternity leave cover) with a can-do attitude, a willingness to learn and the desire to immerse themselves in PR and Communications for a growing and successful company.'
Starting 20th February 2023, you'll be at the heart of our PR team in Watford, providing operational support to PR Managers, implementing strategy and driving results. You'll have the opportunity to play a critical role in planning, executing and reporting for PR and Community campaigns and gain exposure to a wide range of marketing projects.
Based in our Watford Support Centre (with some flexibility to work from home), you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day running of the press office and our Wickes Community Programme (a donation fund to help local communities renovate communal spaces). This role is of growing importance to Wickes as we increasingly use PR to inspire new and existing customers with relevant, topical and helpful campaigns to support the business. This is a great role and relies on working closely with a number of stakeholders within the business to ensure we’re aligned in our responses and able to maximise the big opportunity that PR offers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Work with the PR and Community team to support the execution of the PR and the external communications strategy
- Write and edit statements, community programme press releases, presentations and other PR materials
- Collate media lists and work with the Community PR Manager to help grow both quality and quantity of media coverage, amongst print, online and broadcast media
- Support wider PR and marketing activity via social media and brainstorm content ideas with the team
- First port of call for any customer service issues which end up involving the media and responsible for managing reactive enquiries in the first instance
- Work with the PR Manager to oversee any reputation issues through to their conclusion
- Drive the performance of weekly press office, working with the agency to identify product stories and promotions that deliver regular coverage in line with agreed KPIs
- Develop positive working relationships with internal stakeholders, including store colleagues and regional leaders
- Engage store colleagues to support their local community as part of the Wickes Community Programme
- Deliver competent measurement reports on the business impact of PR & Community initiatives
- Update databases, conduct industry research, research trends, create image libraries and monitor coverage
What skills do I need?
- Degree preferred but not essential
- 1+ years PR/Comms experience in-house or agency
- Strong writing skills and an enjoyment of writing are essential – with a good instinct on how to bring a story to life
- A natural networker with strong interpersonal skills
- Strong work ethic, resilient, confident, proactive and committed
- Great analytical skills with the ability to draw insight from data
- Be able to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment and prioritise workload alongside good time management
- Tech savvy; working knowledge of PR databases and design software (Meltwater, Trustpilot and Photoshop are a bonus but not essential)
- Strong organisational skills, with great attention to detail and a keen sense of pride in their work
It’s an exciting time in Wickes’ history as we’ve recently demerged from the Travis Perkins group and became a FTSE 200 company in our own right. Wickes’ culture is our best kept secret; it's a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed, and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.
What can we offer you?
You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us.
We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:
- 20% company discount
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Pension scheme
- Buy As You Earn and Save As You Earn schemes
- Life Assurance
- Health & Wellbeing, including Employee Assistance Programme
- Rewards & discounts with over 1,000 retailer offers available
- Colleague recognition awards
The role is based at 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.
Please contact us here if you require any
adjustments within the application process.
If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you
will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview. Please
note, this link is only for reasonable adjustments required - general
enquiries, or direct CV applications cannot be accepted via this form.
