Publicity Director, Penguin Random House Children's

Publicity Director, Penguin Random House Children’s

We’re looking for a dynamic, connected and experienced Publicity Director to lead publicity campaigns across Penguin Random House Children’s.

We’re looking for a senior publicist with experience leading high‑profile, integrated campaigns across multiple launches at once, alongside strong people management and stakeholder skills. You may already be operating at Head of Publicity level or similar, either within publishing, media, entertainment or an agency environment.

We are the UK’s no.1 children’s publisher, home to Puffin and Ladybird, and home to many of the most recognised entertainment brands, authors and illustrators, including Peppa Pig, Bluey, Peter Rabbit, The Snowman, Eric Carle, Roald Dahl, Jeff Kinney, Katie Kirby, Adam Kay, Tom Fletcher, Robin Stevens, Nadia Shireen and Jacqueline Wilson. We also launch talented voices such as Selina Brown, Huw Aaron and Dr Sheila Kanani. Our Penguin YA list includes bestselling authors such as Malorie Blackman, Karen McManus, Phillip Pullman, Jenny Han and Jennifer Lynn Barnes, as well as rising stars such as Bea Fitzgerald, Lauren Hamilton‑Murray and Laura Steven.

The Publicity team delivers campaigns across a wide range of genres and audiences, combining traditional media expertise with digital‑first thinking, integrated brand strategy and audience insight.

Reporting to the PR and Communications Director, this is a key leadership role, responsible for delivering standout, audience‑first publicity campaigns that build cultural conversation, reach readers and drive sales. You’ll help shape the division’s publicity strategy while strengthening campaign excellence across the team.

Alongside overseeing campaigns, you’ll personally lead selected high‑profile launches for major authors and brands and play an important role in helping evolve the team’s approach to changing media and audience behaviours.

• Lead divisional publicity campaigns across books, authors and brands.
• Oversee a large portfolio of simultaneous campaigns, ensuring excellent prioritisation and execution.
• Drive digital‑first and audience‑led thinking across the publicity team.
• Coach, support and develop publicists and managers across the department.
• Personally lead selected high‑profile campaigns for major authors, illustrators and brands.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with media, authors, agents and key stakeholders.
• Support issues and crisis management where required.
• Work collaboratively with Editorial, Marketing, Sales, Rights and Penguin Ventures to deliver integrated campaigns.

• Significant senior publicity experience within the creative industries delivering successful integrated campaigns across multiple launches simultaneously.
• Experience managing or mentoring teams and developing high‑performing publicists.
• Strong understanding of digital and social media, with experience delivering audience‑first campaigns.
• Excellent campaign management and prioritisation skills across a complex portfolio.
• Strong PR instincts with a proven ability to identify compelling stories and media opportunities.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships, including authors, agents and senior internal teams.
• Calm judgement and resilience under pressure, including experience navigating sensitive or high‑profile situations.
• Strong communication and influencing skills with a collaborative leadership style.
• Strong media contacts across print, broadcast, digital and social platforms.
• Awareness of emerging media trends, creator culture and changing audience behaviours.

• Experience working within children’s publishing or with children’s, family or Young Adult audiences.
• Proven team management experience within publishing, media, entertainment or an agency environment.
• Experience contributing to crisis or reputational management.

Circa £75,000 annual salary, dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role and opt‑in on their application form. We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.

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