Location: London (or our Oxford studio)
Contract: Full Time (37.5 hrs) preferred; 4 days/week considered
Reports to: Partner – Communications & Marketing
About the Practice
Gillespies is a leading landscape architecture and masterplanning practice renowned for delivering responsibly designed, transformative and award-winning places. Our work spans the UK and beyond, partnering with progressive clients on projects that push boundaries in creativity, innovation and sustainability.
We now have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Communications & PR Manager to join our London studio (or Oxford studio) on a 12-month maternity cover contract. This is a pivotal role for a confident communicator who enjoys shaping narratives, building relationships and amplifying design-led stories across multiple platforms.
The Role
The Communications and PR Manager will lead and deliver effective communications across Gillespies' four UK studios, promoting the firms' projects, people and expertise through press, PR, digital channels and associated marketing channels. Working closely with Partners and project teams, you will help strengthen the practice's profile and ensure consistent, high-quality communication across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Press & Public Relations
* Lead all incoming media enquiries and act as the main point of contact for journalists
* Build strong relationships with client-side and consultant PR teams to maximise joint publicity opportunities
* Develop and deliver PR plans in collaboration with project leaders and in liaison with clients and PR consultants
* Write compelling press releases, news stories and editorial content for print, digital and internal circulation
* Safeguard the integrity and consistency of the firm's brand across all channels
Digital Communications
* Manage the firm's website, writing project descriptions, and timely news stories and updates
* Oversee social media activity (LinkedIn, Instagram), developing content that showcases our expertise and grows engagement
* Track and improve SEO performance alongside the practice's web developers
Internal Communications
* Circulate current project and team news internally on the centralised Teams channel
* Maintain and update the practice's internal intranet system
Marketing Communications
* Commission photography and film content
* Lead the awards programme, planning, drafting and submitting entries
* Manage the production of brochure and other materials to support the Senior Management Team
* Assist Partners and Bid Manager with business development presentations and new project pitches
* Liaise with industry bodies to secure directory listings and amplify profile.
* Manage the creation of CVs and project sheets
* Oversee OpenAsset, ensuring accurate and up-to-date imagery and assets.
* Plan and deliver external marketing events, talks and exhibitions
* Identify and manage speaking opportunities for Partners and project teams
* Maintain an active calendar of conferences and industry events
Other Responsibilities
* Responsibility for approving marketing expenses and timesheets
* Manage the corporate and local marketing budgets
* Coordinate updates of company policies
Person Specification
Knowledge & Expertise
* Minimum 4 years' experience in a communications, PR or marketing role, ideally within architecture, design, property or a related creative industry
* Strong copywriting and editorial skills with the ability to tailor tone and content for different audiences
* Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud (particularly InDesign)
* Advanced skills in Microsoft Office
* Confident user of social media platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn)
Essential Skills
* Strong organisational and project-management capabilities
* Experience managing budgets and forecasting
* Ability to plan, prioritise and deliver multiple workstreams to tight deadlines
* Exceptional attention to detail, both editorially and visually
* Strong interpersonal skills and confidence in engaging with clients, journalists and senior leadership.
* Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills
Behaviours
* Proactive and self-motivated
* Strategic thinker with a creative mindset
* Calm under pressure with a positive, can-do attitude.
* Flexible and adaptable to evolving priorities
* Collaborative team player with the confidence to work autonomously when needed.