Job Description

Description

We are looking for people to join our fantastic team at Somerset House Trust. As the home of cultural innovators, the Trust connects creativity and the arts with the broader society.

Somerset House pursues a 'Step Inside, Think Outside' spirit and is born from the creative community we nurture - the experience and perspectives we host across background, age, race, and stage, and the intersections and crossovers we encourage.



We are looking for an experienced and motivated PR Manager to lead media campaigns for some of our major exhibitions, events and activity. Working closely with and reporting to the Head of PR, the PR Manager will play a pivotal role in our small and dynamic PR Team, specifically managing our Senior Press Officer. Using your considerable experience in a similar role, you will be responsible for devising and implementing strategic audience-led campaigns, achieving maximum quality coverage across a range of target media, including print, online, broadcast and social media platforms, ensuring to instil awareness of both the particular campaign and Somerset House's brand mission and vision. It will be your role to work closely with internal departments, external partners and high-profile influencers and ambassadors. Using your proven knowledge, skills and talent, on any given day the role could see you developing and delivering campaigns around our major exhibitions and events, managing large-scale red-carpet launches, supervising campaigns for Somerset House Studios and Somerset House's digital arts strand, and acting as the point of liaison for partner exhibitions and events. The PR Manager will be joining at a critical time for Somerset House as it comes to the finale of its 25th birthday year, marking its coming of age as the home of cultural innovators, a milestone accompanied by a new visual identity, new website and new onsite openings.

The Somerset House PR department is a part of the wider Marketing and Communications team, which leads audience-led campaigns for a diverse range of cultural programming which engages audiences in key contemporary issues, challenges conventions and offer alternative perspectives. The team also helps promote Somerset House as the home of cultural innovators, including Somerset House Studios, our other creative workspaces, and revenue streams such as venue hire, food and beverage. Guided by a data-led approach and in close coordination with our other in-house teams and valued partners, we craft and execute multi-channel strategies aimed at elevating brand awareness, enhancing ticket sales and visits, encouraging creative professionals and organisations to join our resident community and fostering engagement both online and offline. Comprising a team of passionate and dedicated professionals, we uphold strong values and possess a clear vision for the future of Somerset House and our ongoing ambition to intensify creativity, multiply opportunity & drive artistic and social innovation.

What we are looking for:

CAMPAIGN DELIVERY & STRATEGY

Develop and execute audience-led strategic PR campaigns for key projects that connect and resonate with target audience segments, leveraging data insights to tailor messaging and maximise engagement across media channels as campaigns evolve Shape key campaign timelines and messages, which concurrently aligns with and increases the awareness of the overall Somerset House brand Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, but especially marketing, ticketing and social media colleagues, to ensure PR campaigns integrate with marketing and social media campaigns and other key milestones for fully cohesive, impactful and consumer-first communications Research, update and build target media lists, pitching as appropriate a range of listings, previews, feature and social media content ideas, securing coverage in line with Trust and talent requirements and maintaining strong and collaborative relationships Research, update and build target influencer networks, creating opportunities for content creation which support PR objectives and maintaining strong and collaborative relationships
Write engaging copy for press releases and media alerts, the basis of which can be used as content by media and influencers Source eye-catching images to be used across media, negotiating all copyright clearances as relevant Brief talent for interviews and attending interviews where possible to make sure both media and talent are happy with the results Conceive and organise photo calls Stage press previews and influencer events, securing the attendance of key critics, reviewers and influencers Manage PR aspects for openings of major events and exhibitions, including devising bespoke, targeted lists of VIP invitees, which reflect the breadth of Somerset House's cultural programme and community, and will generate press and/or social media coverage, plus handling arrivals, red carpets, photographers and pre and post event pitching, in collaboration with any VIP consultants, partners, artists and curators Proactively identify any potential PR risks (including external horizon scanning for emerging issues) and support the Head of PR to prepare for and manage the handling of crises, creating campaign FAQs. Capitalise opportunities for press exposure with related events, activities and partnerships Work with external PRs and partners as necessary Manage PR consultants employed by the Trust Host PR & Marketing breakfasts for select organisations and agencies to foster good relations with the industry and create good word of mouth for events and exhibitions Handle day-to-day enquiries for information Ensure costs are kept within budgets for the allocated campaigns, seeking to work with a range of suppliers and reforecasting as required Co-ordinate media announcements with all relevant departments Regular reporting to Head of PR, senior management, Trust departments, external partners and talent, and creating evaluation reports to measure effectiveness of campaigns against both PR and organisational objectives

MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP

Support the day-to-day campaign work of the PR team Suggest new and creative ways for the PR department to work most effectively and efficiently Play a crucial role in fostering a positive and inclusive work environment by leading from the front. As a line manager, you will be responsible for providing guidance and support to our Senior Press Officer, empowering them to excel in their day to day campaign work. Contribute to Trust-wide working groups, focused on key organisational objectives, putting forward the perspective of and advising on PR

NETWORKING & PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Build and manage strategic influencer campaigns, identifying and partnering with key influencers (that resonate with target audiences), to amplify campaign and brand messaging, drive engagement and expand audience reach across social platforms. Generating/developing/maintaining effective relationships with key media and influencers through meetings and networking events, identifying opportunities for both the particular campaign and Somerset House's brand mission and vision Increasing Somerset House's presence in the international media Proactively seeking and developing beneficial partnerships for creative, cross-promotional purposes that align with Somerset House's brand mission and vision Represent Somerset House Trust at events and on various external bodies as appropriate

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT

Managing own and team's administrative tasks as and when required Overseeing accounts and services provided to PR department, such as media monitoring services Undertaking any other duties and responsibilities as required in line with the commitments of the role

Skills, knowledge & expertise required for the role:

Experience

:Proven experience of working in a busy, fast-paced press office/agency or within the media and managing a team at all levels Strong evidence of managing successful press campaigns and juggling several campaigns at once, which target relevant audiences and explore opportunities to reach new audiences Enviable network of contacts across the ever-evolving media and social media landscape, and an avid interest in consuming news and trends Tested track record of managing PR consultants or agencies Demonstrable collaboration with a range of partners, ensuring the appropriate balance is found between mutual PR goals Considerable experience in VIP/influencer relations and events, from managing the logistics of large-scale launches from a PR perspective, to ensuring attendance and meaningful mentions Experience of crisis PR management Excellent knowledge and interest in the arts/cultural/entertainment sector Proficient in managing budgets Knowledge and understanding of integrated campaigns, analysing all available data streams to continually evaluate campaigns against PR and organisational objectives and inform the ongoing development of activities for areas managed

Skills

:Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders Strong ability to multi-task, prioritise and be flexible with workloads Excellent organisational skills, with scrupulous attention to detail, working well under pressure Demonstrable motivational and managerial skills, with confidence in co-ordinating team activities and offering necessary support to professionally develop individuals Keen ability to work both using own initiative and as a team player, adapting effective reporting to a range of key stakeholders to ensure activity is integrated, consistent and strategically-focused, supporting the organisational communications and objectives Willingness and motivation to complete tasks to best of ability, no matter how big or small Sharp eye for innovation, identifying opportunities and responding to the constantly changing communications and cultural landscape. Strong numeracy and IT skills, including working knowledge of MS Office applications and spreadsheets, and ability to learn new systems and software quickly

Benefits to working at Somerset House

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Access to our external Employee Assistance Programme (CiC) for free 24/7 confidential advice and support, including up to 6 free counselling sessions per year where needed Mental health support and guidance from our in-house trained Mental Health First Aiders Hybrid working based on having 3 days in the office per week (pro rata if part-time)
Contribution towards eye tests and glasses Trust life insurance scheme We offer winter flu vaccination vouchers


dependent on the needs of the role

Holiday

Enhanced annual leave - 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata)

- Birthday leave - additional day leave
- Celebration day - to celebrate anything of your choice

Other Leave

Sick leave - 20 days full pay, followed by 20 days half pay (pro rata & following 3 months service) Emergency dependent care - option to use 25% of paid sick leave for emergency care of a dependent (pro rata & following 3 months of service) Enhanced maternity pay

Benefits

8% employer pension contributions, no employee contribution required
Option for salary sacrifice Season ticket loan Cycle to Work scheme

Discounts, offers and free stuff

The list is endless and includes tickets to Somerset House events and entrance to other London Heritage sites Discounts in Somerset House cafes and restaurants Discounts with various high street retailers and restaurants Discounts to local leisure centres


following 3 months of employment

About Somerset House Trust

Somerset House hosts the UK's largest and most exciting creative community right in the heart of London, and are always looking for new talent to join our team. We welcome 3 million annual visitors to share our unique combination of cultural events, the creative industries and history. This mix informs and powers our programme and organisational culture, making us a singular, compelling and inclusive place to visit and work.



Somerset House is actively anti-racist, you can read about our Anti-Racism Pledge and the action we're taking here. We are working hard to ensure our people, our onsite community and our sector reflect, represent and include all of society.

Our Commitment to Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion:

Somerset House is open to all, and we value everyone's unique skills. Somerset House Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to championing equality, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We are committed to equal opportunity and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.

Where candidates are equally qualified, we will seek to prioritise diversity to help us increase representation across the creative economy and the Trust.

We anonymise all job applications to help avoiddiscriminationin the initial screening stage of our recruitment process. This reinforces our commitment to focusing on the skills and qualifications of all applications from the start.



We're committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process. Please let us know if there's anything we can do to help you perform at your best. We're open to adjusting our process to accommodate your needs please email people.team@somersethouse.org.uk.




The Trust reserves the right to close a job before its application deadline.



Please only apply if you have the right to work in the UK; the Trust cannot currently offer sponsorships.

Somerset House Trust operates a hybrid working model which does not allow employees from working outside the United Kingdom