Free People - Senior PR & Comms Manager 12 month FTC UK/EU

Free People is a specialty clothing brand featuring the latest trends and vintage collections for people who live free through fashion, art, music and travel. The eclectic look consists of quality apparel, shoes, and accessories that invoke attributes of femininity, spirit, and creativity with its design. Free People is distributed globally via direct channels such as the Free People US & Free People UK sites, as well as specialty boutiques, top department stores, and the brand’s own free standing retail locations in the US and Canada. 

We are looking to hire a Senior PR & Communications Manager on a maternity cover basis to play an integral role in the development and management of Free People in Europe. The role requires a smart, enthusiastic, detail-oriented collaborator who looks to take ownership over projects and ensure successful delivery. The individual must exhibit excellent organizational skills, strong creativity, flawless attention to detail, and an extreme solutions-oriented approach. The Free People Senior PR & Communications Manager will report into the Director of international and Marketing and is responsible for building and executing the PR and Media strategy for the brand across Europe.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key media outlets, journalists to secure qualitative coverage and build long-term partnerships across Europe in fashion and consumer press.

• Act as the primary contact for all media inquiries, ensuring accurate and consistent brand messaging across all channels.

• Execute media relations strategies to position the brand as a leader in the fashion industry, enhancing brand equity in Europe

• Direct line manager to the Associate PR & Communications Manager and Senior PR + Events Coordinator

• Oversee the creation and distribution of press releases, media kits, and other communication materials to ensure brand alignment.

• Provide leadership and mentorship to the PR agency teams European markets where the brand is present, guiding them in local strategy development, campaign execution, and media relations to ensure alignment with our brand values and objectives.

• Management and delivery of paid media campaigns across digital and print in Europe, liaising with internal partners to execute

• Seasonal media event management and execution across Europe with the Senior PR & Events Coordinator alongside supporting with larger Brand Marketing events with guestlist.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including media, business partners, and regional/global teams.

• Support leadership with the forecasting and actualisation of annual PR and marketing budget for Europe, ensuring effective resource allocation to maximize ROI on activities.

• Provide regular reports and updates to senior management on PR and media activities, budgets, and campaign performance for Europe

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Brand marketing, retail, and digital marketing, creative, to ensure cohesive brand messaging and strategy execution across Europe

• Partnership with Digital Marketing team to support with Affiliate content opportunities and recommendations across Europe

• A love and understanding of the Free People brand, customer, and product

• Extensive experience in organic and paid media execution, and/or advertising, with a strong focus on the fashion industry

• In-depth understanding of European fashion market, including media landscape and consumer behaviour

• High level of strategic thinking, creativity, and ability to work independently

• Results driven and extremely self-motivated

• A team player who is willing to roll up their sleeves to get the job done

• Excellent communication and presentation skills

• Ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internally and externally

• Solid media contacts in UK is a must, with wider European markets as a plus

• Strong organisational skills, able to manage different media timelines and adapt to a changing business

• Work-life balance: Flexible start and finish times, bring your dog to work.

• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Program, free gym, private medical insurance.

• Employee Discount: Up to 40% off at all URBN Brands.

• Community: One paid day to volunteer or fundraise for a charity.

• Travel: Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan.

• Continued Development: Structured support and ongoing learning opportunities.

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URBN is an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marital status, religion, race, or disability. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.