Job Description 50 Best is the global leader in premium hospitality awards events, widely recognised as the leading innovator within its field. Its brand portfolio now includes The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants, 50 Best Discovery, as well as The World’s 50 Best Bars, Asia’s 50 Best Bars and North America’s 50 Best Bars. The team launched the inaugural edition of The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2023, marking the brand’s first foray into the travel sector. Communication is at the heart of the strategy to cement the 50 Best brand’s position as the leading global and regional authority in the restaurants, bars and hotel spaces, and to further establish the brand as a positive force in gastronomy – 50 Best is as much about building community within the hospitality sphere as it is about producing rankings – while delivering ROI-driven, multi-channel communication campaigns for its sponsors. Due to exceptional growth, the need has arisen to hire an experienced in-house Senior PR & Communications Manager to work as part of the PR team alongside the PR Director, Assistant PR & Communications Manager and PR Account Executive. The role will involve managing our communications operations with our network of international PR agencies, managing our global communications plan in collaboration with the PR Director, and executing effective programmes to increase awareness and develop a positive, credible and influential brand image amongst the media. The candidate will be expected to generate creative ideas for media engagement, manage project coordination, oversee the Assistant PR & Communications Manager, PR Account Executive, and liaise with 50 Best internal teams to ensure the smooth rollout of communication plans. The Senior PR & Communications Manager will become an integral part of the 50 Best organisation, which currently runs more than 8 major events a year across the world, coordinating a multi-channel, multi-sponsor communications plan. The role will report directly to the PR Director. The role will include international travel and would therefore suit a candidate with interest and wide experience in international communication. Experience working at a PR agency would be beneficial. Fluency in other languages would be a distinct advantage. The candidate will need to be based in the UK for regular access to the company’s head office located in Crawley. The candidate will be required to work in person at the Crawley office 2 days a week, and the London office one day a week. Reporting To: PR Director Purpose of Role: To support brand communications and messaging, optimise media reach through management of PR agency network, PR campaigns, relationships with media, as well as media monitoring. Key Responsibilities: External PR Agency Liaison Establish good working relations with all contracted PR agencies through regular contact Attend and lead calls and meetings with contracted PR agencies regularly Ensure overall PR timeline across the brand portfolio is kept updated, overseeing coordination with the Assistant PR & Communications Manager and PR Account Executive, and with the PR agencies Manage agencies involved in the media relations of our events/activities from start to post-event reports Assist PR agencies in arranging media interviews with key 50 Best spokespeople, chefs, bartenders, hoteliers and sponsors (when relevant) pre, during and post-awards events and ongoing in general for 50 Best brand In conjunction with PR agencies, develop key media messages, FAQs, media kits, and other necessary materials to support media pitching, story development and key interviews Proofread and provide feedback on press materials drafted by PR agencies Coordinate events media relations (on-site or remotely depending on the event) including event PR agency briefing and coordination, Press Conference and selection and distribution of assets (with support from your Manager and the Assistant PR & Communications Manager and PR Account Executive) Work with PR Director to set KPIs for PR agencies including the most effective ways we can measure our PR success Public Relations Support PR Director in developing brand communication, vision and action plan across the brand portfolio Deputise for PR Director on calls, in meetings, progressing projects and managing PR agencies, independently, when required Drive and facilitate press release development with Content and Partnerships teams from briefing to translations and approvals Assist with writing high-quality and grammatically correct press materials Maintain and deliver appropriate media lists for invitation or press release distribution, when an external PR agency is not under contract Manage the process of liaising with Cision and ensuring media monitoring is up to standard for 50 Best brand and sponsors (with support from PR Account Executive) Oversee organisation of media guestlists for awards, liaising with the Partnerships team and PR agencies to ensure media guestlists for all events are coordinated and the process is streamlined Develop and maintain global press contacts through frequent communication and regular proactive contact with the media Continue to build a global database of media/influencers contacts from events and activities Monitor and delegate media queries as needed to Assistant PR & Communications Manager and PR Account Executive or PR agencies Liaise with chefs/bartenders, our key sponsors and their PR agencies where required Oversee (with support from PR Director) hosted media programme for each awards, working in collaboration with host destination partners Ensure each brand in the 50 Best portfolio receives sufficient time and attention to achieve the required results defined by your Manager Support PR Director in managing the process of countering negative publicity and crisis management overall (in alignment with the Director of Content) Management & Administration Manage Assistant PR & Communications Manager and PR Account Executive on day-to-day task execution and administrative duties. Oversee management of the Media Centre in collaboration with Assistant PR & Communications Manager and PR Account Executive Meet team and company deadlines Communicate effectively and transparently with your team Attend weekly team meetings and report on activity Assist Director of PR, Assistant PR & Communications Manager and PR Account Executive in ensuring that all PR agencies preliminary and post-event PR reports are completed to a high standard and include all relevant data General To maintain an awareness of hospitality industry news in relevant markets Review publications and share relevant articles of interest with the wider team Keep abreast of relevant industry events where 50 Best should have a presence Keep abreast of global media developments including changes to journalist’s roles and the changing media landscape, where possible Required Skills and Experience: 5-6 years previous experience working in communications and publications (agency or in-house) Exposure to international communication including international PR, knowledge of media landscape outside the UK, managing PR events outside the UK Experience in PR event communication with significant attendance Proven track record in developing and delivering consumer-facing brand PR campaigns both at local and international level which deliver results. Experience and understanding of media needs and relationships on an international basis Strong communication and presentation skills – written and verbal Excellent collaborative team-working skills; positive and professional attitude Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and forge relationships with the internal team and externally with the media Ability to thrive under pressure and to work at speed around events and on the ground at events Excellent organisational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and forward plan Responsible and accurate with attention to detail The ability to keep information confidential A keen interest in the world of restaurants, bars and hotels Excellent knowledge of Cision (or equivalent media monitoring platforms), PowerPoint, and Adobe packages is desirable A willingness to travel Language skills a major advantage Company Benefits Include: 25 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays- increasing by one additional day after 6 years, up to a maximum of 30 days. An additional day of leave for you to take on a cultural celebration day or on your birthday if you like. A day for you At William Reed, we call this our “MeDay”. A volunteer day to take for supporting a chosen charity and giving back to the community. Opportunity for hybrid working Contributory Pension Life Assurance Scheme Group Income Protection Enhanced family-friendly leave pay entitlements Wellbeing benefits, including: A health care cash plan, Employee assistance programme and a 12-month wellness calendar for company-wide health, wellbeing, diversity & inclusion awareness dates. Cycle to Work Scheme Electric Car Scheme Why work for us: We provide a supportive work environment and are committed to maintaining a healthy work/life balance for all of our employees. Working for William Reed means that you will be joining a stable organisation that is committed to developing its employees and brands. We warmly welcome and encourage applications from talented individuals of all backgrounds and characteristics. If you need any support in accessing this opportunity, please do not hesitate to discuss this with us.