Brand and Communications Manager

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited; City of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global recruitment leader is seeking a Senior Brand and Communications Manager to enhance brand visibility and manage external communications. The role entails leading PR efforts, overseeing brand consistency, and collaborating with creative teams. Candidates should have extensive experience in communications and strong leadership skills. This position offers a competitive compensation and the possibility for hybrid working.

Benefits

Competitive compensation and reward package

Flexible hybrid working patterns

Broad range of employee wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• 5/6 years in communications, PR, brand, or creative leadership roles.
• Experience managing creative teams and overseeing brand-aligned visual output.
• Proven experience managing PR agencies and media relations.

Responsibilities

• Manage an external communications strategy for Hays UK&I aligned with business goals.
• Own the PR strategy and execution, working closely with an external PR agency.
• Lead the in-house creative team to ensure brand consistency across all content.

Skills

Communications leadership

PR strategy management

Creative team oversight

Social media strategy

Stakeholder management

Storytelling and writing

Job description

Senior Brand and Communications Manager

FTC - 1 year Maternity Cover Contract

Office Location: London Cheapside

This role will benefit from our Hays Balanced Working agreement so will be based in London Cheapside Office and from home. There will be occasional travel to our offices in other locations, as and when required.

At Hays, we believe in being long-term partners with our people as well as our customers. Together, we will work for your tomorrow, and the possibilities are endless.

With over 50 years of business success, we have built a reputation as the world leader in specialist recruitment and workforce solutions. But joining Hays isn’t just about being part of a global business leader; together with over 12,000 people across 33 countries, you’ll be making a difference in the world of work.

Role Objectives:

The Senior Brand and Communications Manager is responsible for leading our UK&I brand and communications activity across PR, design, social media and events. The role plays a key part in shaping the brand narrative, managing external communications, and driving thought leadership. While content strategy is managed separately, this role is central to ensuring consistent, impactful brand expression across all channels.

Key Result Areas: Skills and Competencies

Key responsibilities:

Strategic leadership

• Manage an external communications strategy for Hays UK&I aligned with business goals
• Ensure consistency and impact across PR, creative, social and event channels
• Collaborate with senior leadership to shape corporate messaging and executive positioning

Public relations & media

• Own the PR strategy and execution, working closely with an external PR agency in both the UK and Ireland
• Manage agency relationships to deliver press releases, media pitches, campaign coverage and thought leadership content
• Alongside agencies, build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, influencers, and media outlets
• Support with crisis communication requirements and reputation management

Creative studio & brand management

• Lead the in-house creative team to ensure brand consistency across all visual and written content
• Oversee brand guidelines, creative assets, and campaign execution across platforms
• Ensure creative output supports business objectives and enhances brand perception

Social media

• Support the social media lead in delivering brand-aligned content across key social platforms
• Ensure messaging and tone are consistent with broader communications strategy
• Collaborate on reactive and proactive social media campaigns that enhance brand visibility
• Monitor brand sentiment and support community engagement efforts

Events

• Support the events lead in delivering a strategic event roadmap, including industry conferences, webinars, and executive roundtables
• Ensure events reinforce key messaging and support business development and employer branding
• Partner with internal stakeholders to maximize event impact and audience engagement

Key skills & experience

• 5/6 years in communications, PR, brand, or creative leadership roles
• Experience managing creative teams and overseeing brand-aligned visual output
• Proven experience managing PR agencies and media relations
• Experience in working alongside social media teams to implement strategy
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and team management capabilities
• Excellent storytelling, writing, and editing skills
• Ability to work cross-functionally with marketing, HR, and leadership teams

What you will get in return

This is a truly unique opportunity to work in the strategic function of the Hays group business and collaborate with senior leaders to help shape tomorrow together.

In addition, Hays group offer:

• Competitive compensation and reward package
• Stimulating and rewarding work at a time of significant organisational change.
• An inclusive culture built on rewarding success and the opportunity to influence your future career path.
• Flexible hybrid working patterns.
• Broad range of employee wellbeing initiatives and benefits
• Community of internal support networks
• Paid volunteering day for all employees under our Working for Your Tomorrow Initiative

Life at Hays presents the opportunity for growth, varied career paths, exciting challenges and a culture of inclusion that celebrates diversity. As a committed Disability Confident employer, if you’re thinking of a new tomorrow for your career, whatever your background, let’s work together to create it!

At Hays, we share a passion for creating a culture of opportunities for our people to flourish and succeed, whatever your background. We know that diversity of perspective and an inclusive approach, which encourages those experiences and views to be heard, is great for business and therefore your career.