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
* Develop and implement comprehensive PR plans at both local and national level
* Manage the external PR agency, providing updates on product launches, sales, and trading calendars
* Oversee all media enquiries, interview requests, and PR activities
* Provide regular insights through weekly, monthly, and annual PR reports
* Support the delivery of seasonal press events and special PR activities in partnership with the agency
* Drive PR activity for major campaigns, new store openings and ad-hoc opportunities, ensuring KPIs are met
* Manage the PR budget, ensuring expenditure aligns with the approved activity plan
* Support internal communications, leading PR for team initiatives and managing the company’s LinkedIn presence
* Lead and support award submissions, published reports, and ad-hoc requests to maintain positive brand sentiment
* Ensure PR agency performance is aligned to agreed KPIs for consumer, trade, corporate, local and national PR objectives.
* Work with the affiliate network agency to maximise PR opportunities
Influencers
* Manage selected influencer partnerships in line with PR plans to enhance brand awareness and engagement
Charity, ESG and EDIB
* 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.
* Lead PR and communications for ESG initiatives, ensuring all activity reflects our environmental commitments
* Work with the Diversity & Inclusion Lead to embed EDIB principles across all PR and media activity
* Support communications around our core charity partnerships with Mind and Together for Short Lives
Experience Required
* Proven track record in PR (consumer, trade, corporate, local, and national), ideally within consumer brands or retail.
* Experience developing and executing PR campaigns aligned to brand and commercial goals.
* Demonstrated success in influencer engagement and collaborations.
* Familiarity with crisis communications and reputation management.
* Experience managing PR agencies and holding them accountable for results.
* Exposure to internal communications and thought leadership, including LinkedIn content.
* Affiliate experience preferred but not essential.
Skills Required
* Strong understanding of the media landscape and proven ability to secure coverage.
* Ability to measure PR effectiveness (KPIs, share of voice, coverage analysis).
* Excellent project management skills; able to manage multiple campaigns and launches simultaneously.
* Confident stakeholder manager, comfortable presenting to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
* Knowledge of digital and social media, and how PR integrates with influencer content.
* Highly motivated and results-driven, with a focus on delivering impactful campaigns.
* Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships.
* Proactive self-starter, excited by performance-driven growth and retail innovation.
Attributes
* Commercially aware, understanding how PR contributes to brand growth and sales.
* Creative and proactive, bringing fresh ideas for campaigns and storytelling.
* Calm under pressure, able to manage challenges with professionalism.
* Naturally collaborative, working effectively with marketing, trading, digital, and external partners.
Practical Requirements
* Comfortable working flexibly, including occasional out-of-hours events or launches.
* Experience managing budgets and tracking spend effectively.
* 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
We are completely committed to supporting anyone with a disability in applying for our vacancies. If you have a disability and require support throughout our recruitment process, you can contact us at and let us know what adjustments you may need.
At Hobbycraft we celebrate the joy of crafting, and we celebrate all of our colleagues and customers. As a retailer we have a diverse Colleague base from a broad range of all communities. Our colleagues are recruited for their skill, passion, love of craft and customer service, which is also reflected in our customer base. It is this skill and love of crafting which defines them. Hobbycraft, is an equal opportunity employer who takes equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging very seriously, we regularly review our policies and practices to ensure not only compliance, but also best practise from an employment perspective.
Hobbycraft are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, and we are committed to equal and fair treatment for all colleagues or potential colleagues irrespective of race, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origins, religion or belief, disability, age, gender, marital or family status.
About us
We’re here to help you create
Our passion for craft is at the centre of everything we do. This is reflected in our creative and knowledgeable Hobbycraft store colleagues, who are always on hand to help, and our vast, carefully selected range of quality products. Throughout the year, we also host a variety of workshops and demos in stores and online, designed to give everyone the opportunity to master a new craft or refine a beloved one.
We're here to support everyone on their crafting journey, from parents looking to encourage their creative kids, to student artists, expert knitters, model making hobbyists and more! Why not come into your local Hobbycraft store today and find the perfect craft for you?