Role: PR Manager
Location: Bournemouth
Reference: HOB1144927
Closing Date: 24.10.2025
PR Manager - Hobbycraft Head Office, BH23 6HG
Creativity is Hobbycraft’s reason for being, so when you join our fantastic team, you will be surrounded by like-minded imaginative people. We believe that working together and embracing new and innovative ideas are the best way to make our colleagues feel part of something.
Pension with a 4% contribution, 25 days holiday increasing every year, 25% discount in our stores
This is a full-time role, working 37.5 hours. Our core business hours are Monday to Friday – 10am to 3pm with a flexible approach to start and finish times
Our hybrid working model is 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home
Key Purpose of Role
The PR Manager will lead all public relations activity to strengthen brand awareness, manage media relations, key influencer partnerships and internal marketing channels including LinkedIn. You’ll ensure Hobbycraft has a strong and consistent presence across key media channels, delivering campaign launches and key events, and driving our PR agency to help achieve Hobbycraft’s ambitious growth plans.
Key Responsibilities
1. Develop and implement comprehensive PR plans at both local and national level
2. Manage the external PR agency, providing updates on product launches, sales, and trading calendars
3. Oversee all media enquiries, interview requests, and PR activities
4. Provide regular insights through weekly, monthly, and annual PR reports
5. Support the delivery of seasonal press events and special PR activities in partnership with the agency
6. Drive PR activity for major campaigns, new store openings and ad-hoc opportunities, ensuring KPIs are met
7. Manage the PR budget, ensuring expenditure aligns with the approved activity plan
8. Support internal communications, leading PR for team initiatives and managing the company’s LinkedIn presence
9. Lead and support award submissions, published reports, and ad-hoc requests to maintain positive brand sentiment
10. Ensure PR agency performance is aligned to agreed KPIs for consumer, trade, corporate, local and national PR objectives.
11. Work with the affiliate network agency to maximise PR opportunities
Influencers
12. Manage selected influencer partnerships in line with PR plans to enhance brand awareness and engagement
Charity, ESG and EDIB
13. The PR Manager will also play a key role in communicating our sustainability agenda and championing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB), ensuring all PR activity reflects the company’s Mission and Values.
14. Lead PR and communications for ESG initiatives, ensuring all activity reflects our environmental commitments
15. Work with the Diversity & Inclusion Lead to embed EDIB principles across all PR and media activity
16. Support communications around our core charity partnerships with Mind and Together for Short Lives
Experience Required
17. Proven track record in PR (consumer, trade, corporate, local, and national), ideally within consumer brands or retail.
18. Experience developing and executing PR campaigns aligned to brand and commercial goals.
19. Demonstrated success in influencer engagement and collaborations.
20. Familiarity with crisis communications and reputation management.
21. Experience managing PR agencies and holding them accountable for results.
22. Exposure to internal communications and thought leadership, including LinkedIn content.
23. Affiliate experience preferred but not essential.
Skills Required
24. Strong understanding of the media landscape and proven ability to secure coverage.
25. Ability to measure PR effectiveness (KPIs, share of voice, coverage analysis).
26. Excellent project management skills; able to manage multiple campaigns and launches simultaneously.
27. Confident stakeholder manager, comfortable presenting to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
28. Knowledge of digital and social media, and how PR integrates with influencer content.
29. Highly motivated and results-driven, with a focus on delivering impactful campaigns.
30. Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships.
31. Proactive self-starter, excited by performance-driven growth and retail innovation.
Attributes
32. Commercially aware, understanding how PR contributes to brand growth and sales.
33. Creative and proactive, bringing fresh ideas for campaigns and storytelling.
34. Calm under pressure, able to manage challenges with professionalism.
35. Naturally collaborative, working effectively with marketing, trading, digital, and external partners.
Practical Requirements
36. Comfortable working flexibly, including occasional out-of-hours events or launches.
37. Experience managing budgets and tracking spend effectively.
38. Full driving licence required, with ability to travel to Head Office and stores as needed (hybrid working standard)
What's in it for me?
• Competitive Salary
• 25% Discount Card for Hobbycraft Stores and Haskins
• Free Onsite Parking
• EV Charging Point
• Free Hot Drinks
• 33 days holiday inclusive of Bank Holidays with an increase each holiday year
• Birthday Day Off
• Hybrid Working
• Company pension contribution – up to 4% contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme provide by Retail Trust
• Cash Health Plan with Health Shield
• Contribution towards eyesight test and glasses
• Subsidised gym membership
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Long service awards and gifts
• Continuous training, development, and performance management
• Colleague Wellness Programme
• A creative working environment
• Colleague Social Events throughout the year including Summer and Christmas events