At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead PR, partnerships, and social strategy for Debenhams, driving brand relevance and engagement.
- Company: Join one of Britain’s most recognised retail brands with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: 12-month FTC based in Manchester, working closely with a creative team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping how Debenhams connects with consumers and the media.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in PR, partnerships, and social strategy, ideally in fashion or retail.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced, culturally connected and commercially minded
Head of Partnerships, PR & Social to lead how the Debenhams brand shows up beyond our own campaigns.
Reporting to the Brand Director, you’ll own the strategy across PR, partnerships, influencers & creators, events and social, building fame, conversation, reach and relevance for one of Britain’s most recognised retail brands.
This is a big external-facing role. You’ll be constantly looking for the people, partnerships, stories, cultural moments and opportunities that can put Debenhams front and centre.
You’ll work alongside our Head of Brand Marketing, who owns brand campaigns and content.
Together, you’ll ensure brilliant campaign ideas don't simply launch; they travel, generating conversation through media, creators, partners, experiences and social.
This is a 12 Month FTC, based at our Debenhams HQ - Dale Street. Manchester, 5 days a week.
- What You’ll Be Doing
- PR & Communications
- Own the consumer PR strategy for the Debenhams brand, building awareness, relevance and positive conversation.
- Identify the stories, moments and opportunities that can generate standout earned media coverage.
- Build strong relationships with key fashion, beauty, home, lifestyle and consumer media.
- Lead our PR agency relationships, ensuring clear objectives, brilliant execution and strong ROI.
- Develop proactive PR plans around key brand moments, launches, partnerships and commercial priorities.
- Work closely with the Brand Director and wider Communications teams to ensure brand PR is aligned with the broader Debenhams narrative.
- Identify opportunities for senior brand spokespeople, thought leadership and commentary where relevant.
- Own press events, media moments, launches and brand experiences.
- Monitor brand sentiment, coverage and share of voice, using insight to shape future activity.
- Support reactive PR and reputation management where required.
- Partnerships
- Develop and deliver the Debenhams partnership strategy, identifying brand, commercial and cultural collaborations that grow reach and relevance.
- Build relationships with complementary brands, talent, media, entertainment and cultural partners.
- Lead partnership negotiations from idea through to activation.
- Identify partnerships that can drive brand fame, customer acquisition, PR impact and commercial value.
- Ensure partnerships feel distinctly Debenhams and create genuine reasons for customers and media to talk about the brand.
- Measure performance and ROI to continually improve future investment.
- Influencer & Creator
- Own the Debenhams influencer and creator strategy across fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle.
- Build a powerful network of creators who genuinely fit our brand and customer.
- Develop longer-term ambassador relationships alongside tactical campaign activity.
- Lead influencer agencies and partners, ensuring activity delivers against clear brand and commercial objectives.
- Spot emerging creators and cultural voices before everybody else does.
- Measure performance across reach, engagement, earned value, traffic and commercial impact.
- Social
- Set the strategic direction for Debenhams across our social channels.
- Build an always-on social presence that feels current, engaging and culturally connected.
- Grow our communities and create genuine two-way conversation with customers.
- Ensure social brilliantly amplifies our wider campaigns, PR moments, partnerships and creator activity.
- Stay ahead of new platforms, behaviours, trends and opportunities.
- Use performance data and cultural insight to continually evolve our approach.
- Events & Experiences
- Own the strategy and delivery of Debenhams brand events, launches and experiences.
- Create moments people genuinely want to attend, share and talk about.
- Bring together media, influencers, customers, partners and talent around key brand moments.
- Lead event agencies, suppliers and production partners.
- Identify opportunities for Debenhams to show up in the cultural calendar in unexpected and relevant ways.
- Ensure every experience delivers both brand impact and measurable value.
- WORKING WITH BRAND MARKETING
This role sits alongside our Head of Brand Marketing.
- Head of Brand Marketing - Creates the story
- Head of Partnerships, PR & Social - Creates the conversation
What We're Looking For
We're looking for a senior brand leader who understands how modern consumer brands build relevance.
- You’ll Ideally Bring
- Significant senior experience across PR, partnerships, influencer, social or brand activation, ideally within fashion, beauty, retail, lifestyle or another consumer-led business.
- Strong consumer PR experience and an excellent understanding of the UK media landscape.
- A strong network across media, talent, creators, brands and agencies.
- Proven experience developing high-impact brand partnerships.
- Deep understanding of influencer and creator marketing.
- Experience leading social strategy across major consumer platforms.
- Experience creating standout events, launches and experiential activations.
- Strong commercial judgement and experience managing meaningful budgets.
- The ability to connect brand activity to measurable business outcomes.
- Brilliant relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills.
- Experience leading high-performing teams and external agencies.
- A strong instinct for culture — what's happening now and what's coming next.
- Plenty of ideas, energy and the confidence to make them happen.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Brand Partnerships, PR & Social 12 Month FTC in Manchester employer: Debenhams
Debenhams in Manchester is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and the chance to make a meaningful impact through innovative CRM strategies. Our commitment to data-driven decision-making ensures that you will be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to enhancing customer engagement and retention.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Brand Partnerships, PR & Social 12 Month FTC in Manchester
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Debenhams and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Debenhams are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Debenhams on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Debenhams. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Brand Partnerships, PR & Social 12 Month FTC in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Debenhams. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Debenhams:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Debenhams’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Debenhams
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Debenhams will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Debenhams, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
