At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead bold social and PR strategies to shape B&Q's brand presence.
- Company: Join a supportive and inclusive team at B&Q, a leading UK retailer.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, discounts, and health support.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and creative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how B&Q connects with customers and culture.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in social media, PR, and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Overview
Permanent
From £90,000 + Car allowance + Pension + PMI + ShareSave + 6.6 weeks holiday + Hybrid Working
Southampton, Store Support Office
We believe anyone can improve their home to make life better. From our Southampton Store Support office (SSO) we equip our stores, our people, and our whole business with everything it takes to help our millions of customers create a home they’ll love. Join us as our Head of Social & PR for B&Q and Tradepoint and you’ll be a big part of this.
What’s the job?
We’re looking for a bold, creative and strategic leader to shape how B&Q and TradePoint show up in the world. From headline-making stories to scroll-stopping content and culture-driving campaigns. This is the role that brings everything together: corporate reputation, consumer PR, social media and influencers - turning them into one powerful, connected engine that builds trust, drives fame, and fuels business growth. You’ll define our voice, sharpen our story, and make sure we’re not just part of the conversation, but leading it. From Board-level reputation to TikTok trends, from crisis response to creator partnerships, you’ll set the standard for how B&Q and TradePoint are seen, heard and talked about. This is your chance to define how B&Q and TradePoint show up in the world, building a brand that’s trusted, talked about and impossible to ignore.
What we need:
- Set the Vision: Unique Brand Voices, Maximum Impact
- Define and lead a joined-up Social, PR & Influencer strategy for B&Q and TradePoint
- Create a clear, compelling brand narrative that works from corporate storytelling through to everyday content
- Bring together earned, owned and influencer channels into one seamless ecosystem
- Ensure everything we put into the world is consistent, distinctive and unmistakably us
- Shape and Protect Our Reputation
- Lead how B&Q and TradePoint are perceived across media, industry and culture
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and Board, guiding on communications, risk and reputation
- Own issues and crisis management, bringing clarity and confidence when it matters most
- Elevate leadership voices through thought leadership, media and social presence
- Create Work People Talk About
- Drive integrated campaigns that cut through—connecting PR, social and influencer into standout brand moments
- Ensure every campaign is insight-led, culturally relevant and creatively ambitious
- Champion work that earns attention, sparks conversation and builds genuine brand love
- Push the team and agencies to consistently raise the bar on creativity and impact
- Work closely with Creative and Media teams to maximise campaigns through owned and earned opportunities.
- Make B&Q Famous (for All the Right Reasons)
- Set the ambition and strategy for social media and influencer marketing
- Build a brand that people don’t just see—but follow, share and engage with daily
- Lead the evolution of our presence across platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube
- Scale influencer and creator partnerships that feel authentic, exciting and commercially effective
- Keep B&Q and TradePoint firmly connected to culture, trends and real customer life
- Lead Brilliant Teams
- Inspire and lead a multi-disciplinary team across:
- Corporate PR & Communications
- Consumer PR & Press Office
- Social Media & Influencer Marketing
- Build a high-performing, collaborative culture where creativity and accountability go hand in hand
- Empower your leaders and teams to do their best work—and grow with the business
- Break down silos to ensure truly integrated planning and delivery
- Build a Best-in-Class Agency Ecosystem
- Shape and lead our agency model across PR, social and influencer
- Set clear expectations, KPIs and standards—and push partners to deliver exceptional work
- Build strong, trusted relationships with media, platforms, creators and partners
- Ensure every pound spent delivers real impact
- Drive Performance & Demonstrate Impact
- Own budgets across Social, PR and Influencer activity
- Set clear success metrics across reputation, reach, engagement and commercial impact
- Use data and insight to continuously optimise and evolve what we do
- Balance creativity with accountability—ensuring great work also drives results
- Connect the Business
- Ensure communications are embedded early in business thinking—not added at the end
- Partner closely across the Kingfisher Group and banners to maximise opportunities
- Bring teams together to deliver one joined-up storytelling experience
- Stay Curious. Stay Relevant. Stay Ahead.
- Keep B&Q and TradePoint at the forefront of culture, media and social trends
- Spot opportunities to show up in the moments that matter
- Continuously evolve how we tell stories, use platforms and engage audiences
Key Business Relationships:
In this role, you’ll collaborate with a wide network of stakeholders to shape and protect B&Q’s reputation:
- Board & Senior Leadership Team: Strategic counsel, reputation management, and thought leadership
- Marketing Teams: Integrated campaigns and aligned storytelling
- Wider Business (Internal Comms, Customer & Insights, Commercial, HR, Finance, Legal, Retail, Ecommerce): Narrative development, product and value marketing and issues management
- Kingfisher Group & Banners: Alignment on corporate strategy, Responsible Business and shared messaging
- Agency Partners: PR and social strategy, campaign delivery and press office management
- External Stakeholders: Media, government, NGOs and industry bodies
What’s in it for me?
At B&Q, we're building more than great homes – we're building great careers. When you join us, you'll be part of a supportive, inclusive business where your ideas matter, your development is invested in, and your wellbeing is genuinely important. Here's what you can expect:
- Flexible & Hybrid Working - Work in a way that helps you perform at your best, balancing business needs with personal commitments.
- Career Growth & Development - Access learning, development and career opportunities across one of the UK's leading retail organisations.
- Competitive Reward Package - A competitive salary, pension and a range of financial benefits.
- Colleague Discounts - Enjoy discounts across B&Q and the wider Kingfisher Group.
- Health & Wellbeing Support - Access wellbeing resources, health support and employee assistance programmes designed to help you thrive.
- Time Away From Work - Generous holiday entitlement and family-friendly policies that support life both inside and outside work.
- A Place Where You Belong - We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to be themselves.
- Make a Difference - The work you do will have a direct impact on our customers, colleagues and business.
Eligibility To Work
Please note that B&Q does not currently offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application and throughout their employment.
Accessibility & Disability Confident
At B&Q, we're committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience for everyone. If you require any additional support or reasonable adjustments to help you complete your application or throughout the recruitment process, please let us know. If you would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please contact us at recruitment@b-and-q.co.uk. If you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we'll consider your application in line with our Disability Confident commitments.
Head of Social and PR in Eastleigh employer: B&Q Limited
B&Q Limited is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values innovation and collaboration. Located in the vibrant Southampton area, employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance of 6.6 weeks, and a robust pension scheme, all while having opportunities for professional growth within the retail sector. Join us to make a meaningful impact on customer experiences and campaign success in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Social and PR in Eastleigh
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like B&Q Limited. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like B&Q Limited, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research B&Q Limited inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Social and PR in Eastleigh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of B&Q Limited. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at B&Q Limited.
How to prepare for a job interview at B&Q Limited
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
