UK PR and Media Director (1 year contract)

386849BR

Job Description

 The individual will be responsible for leading the Publicity & Media Relations team for The Walt Disney Company in the UK to maximise strategic coverage around the brand, its franchises, content (television, publishing, online) and retail business (products – digital/physical and stores). The role is not directly responsible for Studios or Parks and Resorts publicity, but must work seamlessly to maximise resource, skills and contacts to establish a single image for Disney within and across UK media. The role also drives the communications strategy and plans for Disney’s Healthy Living Commitment in the UK and across EMEA, and oversees Internal Communications for the region.
 
Working closely with the TWDC UK leadership team as well as EMEA Regional Communications, create and manage annual publicity plans and campaigns that balance the needs of the various business areas to deliver integrated communications that best serve the overall company by maximising consumer engagement, affinity with the Disney brand and ultimately revenue.
 
Lead the UK media relations by leveraging existing media relationships and forging new relationships with key outlets across consumer, lifestyle, entertainment, broadsheets, trade, broadcast and digital media.  The candidate will have an in-depth understanding of how the UK media works, which stories will resonate and which won’t.  It is expected that the director would bring an innovative approach to Disney’s use of digital media to drive local consumer engagement and also to lead to mainstream coverage.
 
The Director of UK Publicity and Media Relations must be willing to take risks and manage key business stakeholders, whether that is through developing unconventional campaigns, supporting only those businesses/campaigns that will generate media coverage or leveraging broader brand programmes that support products rather than coming up with numerous individual product led programmes.
 
Work closely with the EMEA Regional Communications team to participate in pan-regional campaigns and to leverage the UK team’s scope and campaigns to benefit the entire EMEA region.  Maintain an open ongoing dialogue to ensure the Regional team had a clear understanding of local market needs and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Strategic planning
   
• Campaign delivery
   
• Team management
   
• Internal relationships & executive support
   
• Issues management  

Basic Qualifications

• A strategic Publicity and Media person with strong media relations skills and with upwards of 10 years’ experience some of which will have been gained working in (or with) a large, complex, matrix organisation
   
• Visionary leader with significant experience of working with senior level stakeholders and managing large teams 
   
• Extensive experience working in the broadcast / media industry is essential with a deep knowledge of how stories/campaigns are developed and play out across all media channels
   
• Deep understanding of the UK media landscape and how it works
   
• Experience of managing agencies and working with EMEA teams 
   
• A mix of consumer, corporate and trade expertise is preferred
   
• Internal communications experience is beneficial

• A dynamic approach with proven leadership qualities, top level influencing skills and the ability to operate effectively in a collaborative, fast moving environment

Preferred Qualifications

• International experience is advantageous
   
• Strong analytical skills coupled with a ‘hands on’ approach and the ability to think on one’s feet
   
• Extremely organised and results driven 
   
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
   
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to persuasively communicate effectively at all levels with internal stakeholders, media and other parties
   
• Detailed knowledge of the UK media landscape
   
• Ability to set clear goals and manage multiple assignments
   
• Must be diplomatic, professional and able to handle confidential information
   
• Able to act as an ambassador for the department with key internal stakeholders

Additional Information

This is one year maternity contract starting early October 2016.

Job Posting Company

The Walt Disney Company

Job Posting Industries

Corporate

Employment Type

Full Time

Primary Location-City

Hammersmith, London

Primary Location-State

LND

Primary Location-Postal Code

W6 9PE

Primary Location-Country

GB