Communications Manager in Manchester

Footasylum

Footasylum is a leading UK‑based retailer specialising in streetwear and sportswear, committed to delivering innovative and trend‑setting products to our customers, with a strong focus on digital transformation and data‑driven decision‑making.

About You

We are looking for a commercially driven Communications Manager to support our communications function across both internal and external channels. This is a highly visible role, reporting into our Chief Marketing Officer, and you will be responsible for shaping how the brand is seen externally while ensuring employees are engaged, informed and aligned to the company's vision and strategy. You will operate at both a strategic and hands‑on level, delivering impactful communications in a fast‑paced, culturally driven sports retail environment.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• Managing a clear, integrated communications strategy that supports both short‑term trading priorities and long‑term brand positioning
• Translating business objectives, trading priorities and brand campaigns into compelling, consistent messaging frameworks
• Ensuring the TOV set by marketing is adhered to so there is consistency across all corporate and employee communications
• Providing proactive and reactive guidance to senior leadership on communications strategy, reputational risk, and messaging
• Regularly measuring and evaluating communication effectiveness, using insights to optimise engagement, reach and impact

External Communications & PR

• Managing the planning and execution of corporate PR and communications campaigns around product drops, brand activations, partnerships, and key retail moments
• Developing and nurturing strong relationships with key media, press, external agency partners and industry partners to maximise brand exposure
• Identifying and creating newsworthy storytelling opportunities that align with brand positioning and cultural relevance
• Supporting the brand's press office function, ensuring timely, accurate and compelling responses to media enquiries
• Liaising with external PR and communications agencies, setting clear objectives, KPIs and performance expectations
• Driving earned media coverage and improve share of voice within the sports and fashion retail landscape
• Supporting on crisis communications, including preparing holding statements, briefing leadership and managing reputational issues in real time
• Collaborating closely with marketing, social and influencer teams to ensure joined‑up campaign execution across paid, owned and earned channels

Internal Communications

• Designing and implementing an internal communications plan that connects colleagues to company purpose, performance and priorities
• Developing engaging content and formats to communicate:
  • Business performance updates
  • Strategy and organisational changes
  • Key campaigns and trading moments
• Partnering with the People/HR team to deliver culture, engagement and employer brand initiatives
• Supporting senior leaders in crafting and delivering clear, authentic and impactful messaging to employees
• Ensuring consistent communication flow between our Stores, Head Office and DC teams
• Continuously evolving internal channels (intranet, email, events, video, etc.) to improve reach, clarity and engagement
• Act as a trusted support to the executive team, influencing decisions through communications insight
• Balance project planning with hands‑on delivery in a fast‑moving retail environment

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience operating in a communications management role
• Strong background in retail, fashion, sports or consumer brands
• Demonstrable success in delivering impactful PR campaigns and internal communications plans
• Experience managing brand reputation and handling crisis communications
• Ability to work cross‑functionally and influence senior stakeholders
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of trading‑led retail environments
• Experience within sportswear, streetwear or youth culture brands – desirable
• Exposure to high‑profile brand collaborations, launches or influencer‑led campaigns
• Understanding of social media, digital content and culture‑led storytelling

Why Footasylum?

We are one of the leading omni‑channel retailers across the UK, but more than that we are a brilliant place to work. We value your development, offer plenty of opportunities for upward mobility, cross‑departmental movement and robust training to excel your personal and professional skills. Our aim is to create a fun environment where your success is paramount to ours and you are given the right tools, support and platform to achieve your goals.

Diversity

We recognise and value the importance of diversity to help ensure we have lots of different perspectives when we build services for customers and the wider business. Diversity for us is also about building happy teams of people who want to learn, be inspired by each other and appreciate different experiences and backgrounds.

Recruitment Process

We review applications individually, and if we feel you would be a good fit we’ll invite you for a call or Teams video for an informal chat about the role and to see if we’re a good fit for you. We value open and honest conversations and collaboration, giving you a chance to learn about what we do in an informal and friendly environment. Please note, this is not a remote role and we expect you to be able to attend our Head Office and Studio in a hybrid way, in Greater Manchester.