PR Manager (Maternity Cover) in Winscombe

We are looking for an experienced communicator to join our close-knit marketing team, to lead and deliver our internal and external PR programme. This is a full time, temporary maternity cover role based on-site at Myrtle Farm in Somerset. We are looking for someone who can build relationships both internally across our business, as well as externally with the media.

About Us: Established in 1904 by William John Thatcher, we have grown into one of the top cider-making businesses in the world. Now in our fifth generation of family cider makers, we're exceptionally proud of our Somerset roots. We've experienced tremendous growth through industry-leading levels of investment in our marketing, people development, innovative technology and world-class cider making facilities. The best part? We're just getting started.

The Role – what will I be doing?

Working closely with our Managing Director and Marketing team, this is a varied role that requires the ability to engage right across our family business; to allow relationships with the trade and consumer media to flourish, to engage with customers and consumers, and to develop our corporate communications programme in an inspiring way. We're looking for an individual who is a confident and professional communications practitioner, a self-starter who can put their own stamp on this central role, fitting into the family culture that has evolved over five generations of cider making. The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for implementing a community, regional and national communications programme that truly reflects the business and all that we are.

What you'll be doing - The Specifics:

• Leading our trade and consumer media outreach across all channels, proactively engaging media contacts through planned comms strategies to inspire and engage people about our five generations of cider making, our community and our award-winning range of ciders. This will include Trade PR and Trade Advertising – identifying opportunities, writing press releases and briefing artwork where relevant.
• You'll become a trusted advisor to our fourth and fifth generation cider makers, working with and influencing our senior management, and those throughout the company. You'll work closely with our Managing Director, assisting in communications and providing advice and support on specific projects.
• You'll use your strong copy-writing skills and intuition to search out a story and create engaging content that reflects life at Myrtle Farm, our strength in award-winning cider making and our role as a responsible alcoholic drinks producer. You'll then work as part of our close-knit marketing team to ensure this content reaches audiences across multi-channels, using your knowledge of print, broadcast, social and digital comms on a national and regional level, trade and consumer.
• You'll be involved in the exciting programme of events – such as new product launches; marketing events; trade initiatives; festivals and exhibitions; sponsorships; as well as generating your own events to meet PR objectives.
• Your experience of social media planning and implementation will allow you to work closely with our social media team to develop meaningful and innovative campaigns. You will also be involved in our influencer strategy – helping select and vet talent and reviewing content.
• You'll work with our internal creative team, and external photographers and videographers to create visual assets that are integral to our storytelling and content creation.
• With a knowledge of both business and drinks competitions and awards, you'll be responsible for ensuring we are represented in the events that matter.
• Your knowledge of customer communications will feed into our direct liaison with consumers and trade customers.
• You'll contribute to and develop our internal communications programme.
• You'll be fully aware of the political and social landscape relating to the alcoholic drinks industry, you'll progress the ongoing relationships we have with organisations such as the National Association of Cider Makers, Portman Group and DrinkAware, and will advise and counsel senior management accordingly.
• You'll be aware of the sustainability agenda and work with our sustainability and orchards teams to communicate ongoing initiatives.
• You'll lead on community partnerships and initiatives. You'll be a great project manager, developing and leading programmes such as our Community Orchard Project nationally, and working closely with our Thatchers Foundation trustees to communicate their partnerships and donations, together with our Talent Apprenticeship Programme to encourage recruitment.
• Your interest in the rural community, and your awareness of the strength of the food and drink industry in the region, will allow you to be a champion of our cider and cidermaking process.
• As in any organisation there will always be challenges and sensitivities to resolve, across all business areas, advising senior management along the way.

What are the perks?

Competitive salary. Discounts at our cider shop & on-site pub, The Railway Inn (after all, you'll have to know just how good our cider is)!

About You

The Thatchers team is action-orientated, adaptable and resourceful with high levels of resilience to compete in an exciting yet competitive marketplace. We work hard and, together, we achieve great things. We have a desire to learn, a thirst for knowledge and a passion for quality cider that customers enjoy across the world.

Personal Qualities/Skills:

• You'll have an ability to clearly and effectively communicate and influence people at all levels across the company.
• You'll be a proficient, trusted written and verbal communicator with a keen sense of curiosity to search out stories and create strategically meaningful content.
• Attention to detail will be second to none.
• You'll have experience in creating and implementing PR strategy and contributing to wider marketing programmes.
• You'll bring experience of crisis comms, stakeholder engagement, and corporate comms programmes.
• Strong knowledge of best practice within the PR communications industry.
• A 'can-do' proactive attitude and problem solver.
• You'll be a doer, happy to be hands on as required.
• A willingness to learn new things.
• Works well under pressure and in a busy environment.
• Flexible and adaptable to change – we're a growing company.
• Sensitivity, confidentiality and trustworthiness are natural but essential attributes.

Desirable Skills:

• Wordpress skills.
• Experience of working with monitoring and reporting online tools.
• Regional and trade media contacts.
• Budget management skills.
• Somerset community relationships.

If you have a desire to expand your skillset, you will discover an incredible environment where there is a thirst for knowledge. You will be provided with excellent ongoing training on our equipment, ensuring that you have the skills to further your career with us. Every person counts towards the success of our one common goal – making the best cider in the world!