Brand and PR Manager

We are looking to recruit a Brand and PR Manager on a fixed term basis, with the contract running until October 2027. Based in our Newcastle (or London) office, the Brand & PR Manager role will lead the brand, PR and design team in the development, planning and implementation of our proactive and co-ordinated brand, PR, design and marketing collateral strategies. Integral to this role is co-ordinating with the other functions within the Marketing & Communications team in the development, preparation and scheduling of brand, PR and design work to ensure consistency, regularity and integration of NorthStandard’s business messages to support our brand purpose. Brand guardianship is a critical responsibility within this role, ensuring that NorthStandard’s brand is consistently protected, strengthened and brought to life across every part of the business.

As a central custodian of our visual identity, messaging and tone of voice, the Brand & PR Manager plays a key role in embedding brand standards, educating colleagues and ensuring all internal and external communications reflect a cohesive, professional and strategically aligned brand experience. The Marketing & Communications Team works towards raising the global profile of the NorthStandard Group, comprising NorthStandard, Standard Club and Sunderland Marine, through an integrated marketing strategy to deliver a broad range of online and offline corporate marketing and communications collateral.

What will you be doing?

• Develop and deliver NorthStandard’s brand, PR and design strategy across the NorthStandard business portfolio.
• Develop relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external to support the development of the brand, PR and design strategy.
• Continuous dialogue with consultants and third parties related to our brand, PR and design activities.
• Evaluate NorthStandard’s brand, PR and design activities to ensure NorthStandard is at the forefront of industry developments.
• Track, monitor and prepare prompt reports that include analysis across the NorthStandard brand portfolio.
• Prepare and evaluate the agreed brand KPIs on a monthly basis.

Brand

• Manage NorthStandard’s brand strategy in line with the agreed business and marketing strategy and ensure that the brand proposition remains fresh, relevant and engaging.
• Ensure alignment across marketing activity in terms of key brand messaging.
• Create and manage clear brand and corporate messages and USPs which can be applied across all business/marketing campaigns including travel packs and pitch packs.
• Represent the marketing team on various internal committees and working groups to ensure brand is a key consideration in any output.
• Monitor competitor activity across all brand channels.
• Provide oversight of resources available internally to deliver brand standards, i.e. Branding Guidelines, Corporate Style Toolkit.

PR

• Proactively manage all public and media relations activities to strengthen the reputation of NorthStandard and improve brand awareness locally, nationally and internationally.
• Crisis Communications - develop and implement crisis communications plan and fulfil roles assigned during a particular crisis.

Design

• Manage the development of the design strategy to ensure that all marketing touchpoints, collateral and assets remain within the prevailing brand guidelines.
• Manage and develop the Design Team to meet NorthStandard’s marketing objectives and ensure that NorthStandard is at the forefront of relevant developments.
• Ensure that all of our marketing collateral and assets are of the highest standard.
• Responsible for management of brand guidelines and liaison with relevant internal and external stakeholders.

Team Management

• Manage and develop the team to meet NorthStandard’s overall marketing and communication objectives.
• Ensure that all members of the team have clear roles, responsibilities and goals.
• Manage team performance and address team development needs.
• Promote NorthStandard’s expected behaviours, standards and work ethic through encouragement and by example.
• Provide cover for team members during periods of absence, when required.
• Ensure NorthStandard’s procedures are followed.
• Manage the brand, PR and design budgets within the agreed limit and support the management of the departmental budget as required.
• Manage supplier invoices within the set authority limits as required.

Support for other marketing functions

• Support and co-ordinate with the other functions within the Marketing & Communications team in the development, preparation and scheduling of external and internal communications to deliver on our key business objectives.
• Undertake any work as requested by the Global Director (Marketing & Communications) as and when required.

About you Skills/Qualifications/Experience

• A recognised degree (BA or BSc) in marketing, business administration or other relevant discipline (essential).
• A Certificate or Diploma in Professional & Digital Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing or equivalent (desired).
• Minimum of five years proven B2B digital marketing experience as a senior marketing executive or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of professional digital marketing best practices including strategy development, planning and management, data analysis, digital campaign management and evaluation and creative execution.
• Experienced in successfully managing multiple projects, involving multiple stakeholders, from planning to delivery and influencing staff at all levels within an organisation.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of current CMS for our full range of digital platforms including websites, apps, social media, email broadcasts and intelligence platforms.
• Proficient in MS Office and marketing software including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Able to use AI tools ethically, confidently and responsibly to enhance brand, PR and design work while maintaining accuracy and brand alignment.
• Creative and commercially aware.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Strong organisational and time-management abilities.

The Company

Welcome to NorthStandard, one of the largest and most influential marine insurers in the International Group. We are more than just a workplace. We are a global community of passionate maritime professionals driven and defined by our empowered, inquisitive, courageous and giving principles, and our commitment to excellence. We believe in fostering a diverse, inclusive and dynamic work environment where everyone can be themselves, thrive, and contribute their unique talents to delivering our best for colleagues, members, customers, and the communities we serve. You will be empowered to focus on your progression, have access to development opportunities designed to fast-track your career from the day you start, and the ability to contribute to and shape our employee experience. In return, we offer a competitive salary and benefits package, while benefitting from a hybrid approach in our collaborative office spaces around the world. We are committed to continuous learning and development, building long-lasting internal and external relationships, and driving service excellence.

The Benefits

• A competitive salary, discretionary annual bonus plan and benefit arrangements for everyone.
• Flexible working - We offer a best in market hybrid working policy and are open to considering a range of flexible opportunities. This includes job-sharing, part-time roles and remote working.
• Taking care of you - Our people are the most important part of our club and we constantly strive for our culture and working environment to show how much we value the contribution you make. We do this through our Employee Resource Groups, learning and development opportunities, inclusive policies and our Employee Assistance Programmes.
• Social events - We host a range of get-togethers throughout the year as we believe that bringing our people together is a great way to motivate each other, inspire success, and build a stronger foundation for the club.

The Values

• Empowered - By being trusted, inspired and developed.
• Giving - Showing we care by sharing our attention, experience and expertise.
• Courageous - Challenging relentlessly to create better outcomes.
• Inquisitive - Embracing diverse perspectives and fresh possibilities.