At a Glance
- Tasks: Run your own PR projects and develop media exposure.
- Company: Join Kia, a leading automotive brand transforming the industry with innovative electric vehicles.
- Benefits: Enjoy free lunches, flexible hours, hybrid work, and wellness activities like yoga and sports clubs.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in PR while working with top-tier media and contributing to exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Passion for PR; relevant studies in PR, Journalism, Media, or Communication preferred.
- Other info: Driving license required for travel; inclusive recruitment process available.
Hi, welcome to Kia UK!
Whoās Kia?
Founded in 1944, Kia was originally known for our bikesā¦then motorbikesā¦and now, the best cars in the world (in our opinion anyway!). These cars include the award winning Sportage, plus others, alongside our world beating Electric Vehicles, such as the awesome EV6 ā which can top 165mph!
Kia is currently at the forefront of electric vehicle development and right now weāre the 5th largest vehicle manufacturer in the UK, but weāre not stopping there. Right now, Kia is going through a major transformation taking us from fast followers to leaders in the automotive space. This is where you come inā¦
Here at Kia, PR is a core aspect of our business, and this position will be an integral part of the PR team. From day one youāll be in out in front of the media, contributing ideas, and taking responsibility for your own PR projects. Donāt worry though, although youāll be coming in at the deep end, weāll be supporting you the whole way plus giving you access to top tier industry PR training courses throughout the year.
Current projects which will need your attention are continuing the launch phase of the all-new Kia EV9, one of the very first fully electric seven- seat SUVs, plus many other vehicles due for 2024. There are also many other events youāll work on ā regional media drives days, tailor made features for the biggest media outlets in the country, hosting journalists at our European head officeās events, award ceremonies, and much much more. Hey, why not pitch your own idea and weāll do it!
People are central to Kia UK and every day is an opportunity to learn something new and to grow personally and professionally. This was recognised with Kia UK named as one of the UKās Best Workplacesā¢ 2024 by Great Place To WorkĀ®, and also ranked in the 2024 Best Workplacesā¢ for Women and Wellbeing. Kia employees reported positively on areas such as working atmosphere, trust in management, corporate strategy, pride in working for the company, benefits, facilities and much more! Ā
What will you do
- Running your own PR projects, then developing the media exposure these projects receive
- Supporting the Senior Events Coordinator in the creation and management of media events
- Representing the brand in front of the UK media (including major product launches)
- Contributing to Press Releases, pulling content from across the entire business
- Supporting our Head of PR, PR Manager, Senior Events Coordinator and wider Press Office team to achieve a best-in-class service to the UK media ā weāre currently rated no.1 automotive press office in the UK, and have been for six years.
- Monitoring media coverage and reporting back to the Head of PR.
- Networking with UK journalist at events, industry organised gatherings and other opportunities
- Working with our agencies to ensure they have everything they need to support us effectively
- Deal with a wide range of media enquiries and liaise with all business departments and suppliers
- Simple financial handling to ensure our projects and events go ahead as planned
- If you want, we can arrange for you to do some work experience at one of the UKās leading automotive magazines, no pressure!
Qualifications
We donāt want to discourage anybody from applying for this role by making a long list of requirements but to summarise; we want someone who is genuinely passionate about PR so ideally studying/just finished studying a relevant course (e.g. PR / Journalism / Writing / Media / Communication).
This role will encourage you to act quickly, test your flexibility, and motivate you to constantly adapt to new things (exactly what the media expects from us!). You can get a huge amount of experience, knowledge and skill development out of a year with us so weād really love to welcome someone with big dreams that we can support!
We recognise that there may be a number of ways to meet our requirements. We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications donāt exactly match what weāve outlined in the role description. If you think you could be a good fit for this role, weād love to hear from you! Ā
Please note: for this role you will require a driving license as youāll be required to travel across the country and Europe for events and projects.
Why this job
Sold, tell me the benefits!
š³ Onsite Chef -> free lunch every day
š¦· Private Dental Care (Denplan, Ā£0 excess)
š©ŗ Private Medical Care (Vitality) + Annual Health Check
š Employee Car Scheme (car lease + insurance all included from Ā£85/month)
š Flexible working hours (core hours between 10:00am-3:00pm)
š” Hybrid working (2 days a week remote working)
š¤øā Free weekly yoga, football, and badminton clubs
š± Pool tables, dart board, and massage chairs onsite
š® Pension + salary sacrifice
š Work from anywhere for one week a year
š 24 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
ā¤ Opportunity to get involved & give back via our charity partners
š„³ Birthday Vouchers
š Celebrations such as our Spring Ball, Christmas events, Social Club and much more!
(We know youāre keen to apply so we wonāt go on but the list doesnāt end there. If thereās anything missing from the above that youāre looking for, please donāt hesitate to reach out to lward@kia.co.uk to find out more.)
Location/Travel
Weāre a 5 minute walk from Walton-on-Thames station (24 mins from Waterloo) and have plenty of on-site parking for anyone driving.
There is step free access throughout the building but please let us know if you require any additional accessibility support and we will make sure to cater to your needs as best we can.
Ā
Interview Process
Step 1: CV review
Step 2: Video Interview
Step 3: Assessment Centre at our Head Office in Walton-On-Thames
We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We understand that every candidate is unique, and we welcome the opportunity to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that all individuals can fully participate in our interview process. If you require any adjustments or support to facilitate your interview, please do not hesitate to reach out to (lward@kia.co.uk). We are happy to discuss your needs and make arrangements that support your participation to best showcase your skills and qualifications.
At Kia, we are committed to employing the best-qualified people and provide equal opportunity for the advancement of employees including promotion and training and thereby not discriminating against any person because of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, belief or disability.
Placement Year: Press Office Assistant employer: Kia UK Limited
Contact Detail:
Kia UK Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice š¤«
We think this is how you could land Placement Year: Press Office Assistant
āØTip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the latest trends in PR and the automotive industry. Follow key media outlets and journalists who cover automotive news to understand what stories are currently gaining traction.
āØTip Number 2
Network actively! Attend industry events, workshops, or webinars where you can meet journalists and PR professionals. Building relationships now can open doors for you later.
āØTip Number 3
Be prepared to showcase your creativity. Think of unique PR project ideas that could align with Kia's brand and be ready to pitch them during your interview.
āØTip Number 4
Stay adaptable and show your enthusiasm for learning. The role requires flexibility, so highlight any experiences where you've successfully adapted to new challenges or environments.
We think you need these skills to ace Placement Year: Press Office Assistant
Some tips for your application š«”
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experiences in PR, journalism, or media. Focus on any projects you've managed or contributed to, especially those that demonstrate your passion for the field.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention specific projects or initiatives at Kia that excite you and how your skills can contribute to their success.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves liaising with the media and writing press releases, provide examples of your written communication skills. Include links to any articles, blogs, or press releases you've authored.
Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability: The job description emphasizes the need for flexibility and quick thinking. Share experiences where you've successfully adapted to new challenges or environments, showcasing your ability to thrive in dynamic situations.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kia UK Limited
āØShow Your Passion for PR
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for public relations during the interview. Share any relevant experiences or projects you've worked on that demonstrate your commitment to the field.
āØPrepare for Media Scenarios
Since this role involves representing the brand in front of the media, think about potential scenarios you might face. Prepare examples of how you would handle media inquiries or manage a press event.
āØHighlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
The job description emphasizes the need for quick thinking and adaptability. Be ready to discuss times when you've successfully adapted to new challenges or changes in a fast-paced environment.
āØNetwork and Build Relationships
Networking is key in PR. Mention any connections you have with journalists or media professionals, and be prepared to discuss how you would approach building relationships in this role.