Location: Silverstone, UK – hybrid working with significant travel required
Salary: Dependent on experience
Role Overview
Ignition Collective is proud to support Ford Motor Company in its historic return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Ford Powertrains (RBFPT). As Communications Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the communications strategy for this landmark program, working as part of the Ford F1 team at Ignition and supporting Global Ford Racing Communications.
The role will focus on delivering best-in-class media relations, storytelling, and digital engagement across motorsport, lifestyle, and non-traditional audiences. You will act as a primary liaison between Ford communications and marketing divisions, Oracle Red Bull Racing (ORBR) and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB) PR teams, Ford Racing’s global agency partners, ensuring seamless alignment and maximum impact across all initiatives.
Success in this role requires deep knowledge of F1 media, influencer relations, and social media activation, with the ability to craft stories that resonate across both traditional motorsport audiences and newer, younger, and more diverse groups, with particular emphasis on the US market.
Key Responsibilities
Media Relations and Storytelling
* Deliver best-in-class media relations and services to motorsport, automotive, business, lifestyle, and influencer outlets
* Proactively pitch and secure coverage for Ford executives, drivers, and team representatives across local, regional, national, and international media
* Create compelling storytelling opportunities to support Ford’s business priorities; Build the Business, Build the Brand, and Technology Transfer
* Develop and distribute press releases, race weekend recaps, and internal newsletters
* Find innovative ways to highlight the link between F1 technology and Ford production vehicles, particularly electric and hybrid technologies
Digital and Social Media Activation
* Partner with Ford Racing marketing, social, and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls to ensure content plans, activations, and campaigns are integrated into the global master calendar
* Coordinate cross-platform social media strategies with Ford, Red Bull GmbH, Oracle Red Bull Racing, and global market teams to ensure aligned storytelling
* Support and execute digital storytelling around race weekends, including results, upcoming races, “how to watch” guides, and fan engagement
Trackside and Event Support
* Represent Ford Motor Company with F1 media at track, working alongside Oracle Red Bull Racing communications to manage media access, storytelling, and proactive issue management
* Source and distribute driver and team quotes in collaboration with Oracle Red Bull Racing communications
* Support Ford Racing marketing and PR initiatives at track and special events
* Coordinate Ford executive and team senior personnel media appearances and interviews
Stakeholder Management and Strategic Counsel
* Act as a key liaison between Ford Racing Communications, Ford agencies, Oracle Red Bull Racing, Ford North America, Ford of Europe, Middle East, and other stakeholders
* Provide regular counsel and updates to internal Ford stakeholders, including senior executives and directors of Ford Racing
* Contribute to weekly strategy sessions, providing input on PR direction and marketing alignment
* Provide reporting, analytics, and insights on PR and social performance
Program and Budget Management
* Manage budgets for individual programs and communications initiatives
* Deliver accurate and timely reports on race weekends and ongoing campaigns
Must-Haves
* Proven track record in F1 PR/communications, with strong knowledge of both traditional media and influencer/social ecosystems
* Exceptional writing skills with the ability to deliver high-quality press materials under tight deadlines
* Extensive media network across motorsport, automotive, lifestyle, and influencer sectors
* Deep understanding of digital and social media platforms, including measurement tools
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to balance strategic counsel and hands-on delivery
* Collaborative, self-motivated, and resilient under pressure
* Technically literate, with the ability to translate complex engineering and racing topics into engaging content
* Able to travel to approx. 8 x flyaway races, 6 x European races and 3 x other events
* Ability to drive abroad
Nice-to-Haves
* Multilingual capability beyond English
* Prior experience in global brand campaigns with a US market focus
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to be at the heart of one of the most exciting partnerships in modern motorsport, Ford’s return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Ford Powertrains. At Ignition, you will play a key role in shaping the communications strategy for this landmark program, working in a fast-paced, global environment to craft stories that showcase innovation, performance, and technology transfer while engaging fans and media worldwide.
We pride ourselves on being a supportive and creative business that thrives on collaboration and innovation. You’ll be part of a close-knit team that values its people while offering the opportunity to work at the forefront of the sports industry. If you are passionate about communications, client service, and making things happen, we want to hear from you.
What You Will Get from Us
* A chance to make a real impact while growing your career in the worlds of sports and entertainment
* Flexible hybrid working arrangements that support your work-life balance
* 25 days of holiday, plus public holidays and a winter break to recharge
* 2 wellness days annually, plus your birthday off, helping you do you
* Helping you look after your whole self with access to Pirkx wellbeing perks and Health and Wellbeing coaching
* A commitment to training and development, including Insights Discovery to deepen self-awareness
* A pension scheme helping you plan for the future
* An innovative, inclusive, and fun workplace, a team we’re proud to stand with
* Quarterly team member recognition programme, celebrating individuals who demonstrate our company values
* Monthly ‘Beers and Ideas’ sessions, in a relaxed space for team-wide collaboration, creativity, and sparking innovation over a drink
* Regular quarterly socials, where connection, creativity, and celebration collide
* Annual charity partnership, each year we support a chosen charity (this year: Brain Tumour Research) through fundraising initiatives, awareness campaigns, and team involvement
* Free on-site parking and convenient public transport links
Role Type
Company Overview
Born as a motorsport and automotive marketing agency in 2013, we honed our skills in the fast-paced, technical, competitive world of racing. This drove us to provide solutions to tight, immovable deadlines and deliver to a high standard on time. Teamwork was the only way to succeed, and creative problem-solving became second nature. All good stuff, right? So why should these qualities be limited to motorsport and automotive marketing? We realised our approach would add value to businesses from other industries. So we grew. Our creativity grew. Our team grew. Our ambitions grew. But not our egos. No. We’re decent people doing work we love. And doing it well. As an independent agency, we won’t hold you to ransom with heavy retainers. We believe in finding a way of working that suits everyone. And we think that’s why so many of our clients have been with us for years.
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