Vacancy NameCorporate Communications & PR Manager (12 Month FTC) Vacancy NoVN1175 Job TypeFixed Term LocationHatfield Job Details
Corporate Communications & PR Manager (12 Month FTC)
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract (12 Month FTC)
Location:Hatfield (Hybrid working - 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week:40 hours
Level:Manager
Application Closing Date:Monday 26th January 2026
About us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value.
We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket,. Not only is Ocado.com the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind, our same-day grocery delivery service.
About the team and the role
We’re looking for a Corporate Communications & PR Manager to join us on a 12-month fixed-term contract in a small but mighty team at Ocado Retail. Reporting into the Head of Communications and Social, the successful candidate will be a self-starter responsible for the day-to-day running of corporate communications and issues management. Your core objective will be to protect and promote Ocado Retail's corporate reputation. Managing a team of two direct reports, the role will be required to provide support to the broader team's remit as required such as internal communications, financial reporting and integrated masterbrand campaigning.
What you’ll do
Strategy in Action – Proactively Promote the Brand
1. Corporate Storytelling & Strategy: Partner with the Head of Communications and Social to shape Ocado Retail’s Corporate PR strategy. You will execute this alongside your direct reports to drive greater masterbrand differentiation in a crowded market.
2. Executive Profiling & Channels: Take ownership of proactive corporate storytelling and executive profiling. This includes managing and creating content for the CEO's and Ocado Retail’s (ORL) LinkedIn channels to drive engagement.
3. Media Relations: Manage the Corporate PR agency to deliver strong coverage across traditional and non-traditional media outlets, landing key messages through press office storytelling and integrated masterbrand campaigning aligned to broader trends and insights.
4. Financial & Internal Promotion: Support the Head of Communications and Social with financial reporting and results announcements. You will also proactively promote internal projects to external audiences to showcase our culture and innovation.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with Commercial, Influencer, Social, and Buying teams to uncover trends/data for key messages and identify relevant consumer awards to showcase Ocado’s extensive product range.
Issues Management
6. Reputation Preparedness: Partner with internal teams to identify upcoming projects with potential reputational risks. You will prepare communications strategies and materials in advance to mitigate these risks.
7. Crisis Planning: Develop and maintain issues and crisis communication protocols, ensuring the business is always ready to respond effectively.
Press Office
8. Reactive Communications: Lead on issues and crisis communications as they arise. This includes managing the inbound to Ocado Retail’s press office alongside your team and handling media enquiries with speed and accuracy.
9. Escalation Management: Work closely with Customer Hub colleagues to handle PR escalations and ensure alignment on messaging for issues that impact customers.
10. Stakeholder Management: Keep relevant stakeholders (including the Leadership Team and shareholders) informed and updated on any issues concerning Ocado Retail in the media.
11. Internal Communications
12. Assist on the drafting of key statements and/or messaging for key internal projects as one of the comms experts within the business alongside ORL people team and other key stakeholders.
13. Build strong relationships with colleagues across the Ocado network, remaining tuned into the latest internal news to ensure external and internal communications strategies feel aligned.
Who you are
Minimum Experience
14. Proven experience in Corporate PR (in-house or agency).
15. Demonstrated success working with brands to provide positive reputational impact.
16. Experience leading high-profile integrated PR campaigns.
17. Experience working across departments (e.g. with social media, marketing).
18. Experience dealing with quick-turnaround media enquiries and crisis communications.
19. Experience dealing with internal comms and events.
20. Capable of building and developing strong internal relationships through collaboration.
Skills and Attributes
21. Excellent communication skills: Highly literate and able to produce clear, concise, and effective written material for press and executive social channels.
22. Highly organised and self-motivated: Able to work in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines.
23. Relationship builder: Able to build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
24. Adaptable: Comfort within a fast-growing company and a desire to grow with the business.
25. Experience in retail or customer-facing brands preferred.
26. Experience of Public Policy engagement and Internal Communications is an advantage but not essential
What’s in it for you
By joining Ocado Retail, you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail.
If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal. Here’s a taste of what we offer:
Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
Spend & Save: Recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme, and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.
Our Hiring Process
Lucky for us, we receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate. To ensure a fair and thorough process, every application is reviewed by a member of our team. If your skills and experience are a strong match, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss the role and guide you through the next steps of our hiring process.
Your Application and AI
In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don't lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you're a great fit for us.
Everyone’s welcome