Senior Executive, PR (12 month FTC)

Carnivalukcareers; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cruise company in Southampton is seeking a Senior PR Executive to create compelling PR strategies and enhance brand exposure. The role demands strong relationships with media and influencers, budget management skills, and exceptional writing abilities. The ideal candidate should have a proven track record in high-profile campaigns. With a hybrid working model, this position offers opportunities for travel and various employee benefits, aiming to create unforgettable holiday experiences for guests.

Benefits

Travel opportunities onboard P&O Cruises ships

Flexible and Hybrid working model

Employee Discounted Cruising

Minimum 25 days leave

Recognition scheme

Extensive learning opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in high-profile campaigns.
• Exceptional writing skills and attention to detail.
• Experience in budgeting and cost management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute creative PR activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media.
• Manage planning, budgeting, and reporting for PR projects.

Skills

Digital PR

Traditional PR

Social Media Strategy

Influencer Strategy

Budget Management

Microsoft Office

Education

Project Management/Prince 2 or degree (desirable)

Job description

Senior PR Executive

Would you like the opportunity to be part of a world‑leading cruise company; to work with famous talent and household names; and to utilise your black book of media and influencer contacts to deliver attention-grabbing consumer and press activations? P&O Cruises is at the forefront of the holiday industry, and we are seeking a passionate individual to fill the evolved role of Senior PR Executive. Please note we will be reviewing applications during the week commencing 5th January 2026.

Role Overview

The P&O Cruises PR team engages with key external audiences, executing impactful PR activity to support the business in delivering commercial priorities. This role promotes the USPs of the brand and guest experience, creating and maximising PR and brand exposure to drive consideration and sales. You’ll craft compelling stories, maintain and build strong media relationships, and support the development and execution of key PR projects that stand out to drive media attention. You will develop press materials, support the influencer strategy, and ensure KPIs are established and achieved. You will proactively seek opportunities to drive commercial success through creative ideas and solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute creative PR activities, including press releases, influencer campaigns, and media outreach to drive brand exposure and commercial success.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media, influencers, and internal teams, ensuring high-quality coverage and seamless delivery.
• Manage planning, budgeting, and reporting for PR projects, tracking KPIs and maximising ROI.
• Support brand partner activations and collaborate on cross‑functional campaigns, contributing to innovative ideas and solutions.

This role is positioned at CUK09 level within our organisation and is available on a full‑time, fixed‑term basis for 12‑months. We offer hybrid work including up to two days from home.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong understanding of digital and traditional PR, social media, and influencer strategy, with proven experience in high‑profile campaigns.
• Exceptional writing skills, attention to detail, and ability to work to strict deadlines.
• Experience in budgeting, cost management, and competency with Microsoft Office products.
• Familiarity with travel & lifestyle media, media monitoring tools, and cross‑functional project collaboration; Project Management/Prince 2 or degree (desirable).

About You: The Ideal Candidate

• Proactive communicator who speaks up, shares ideas, and raises concerns, while respecting different perspectives and safeguarding reputation.
• Collaborative and creative team player who keeps up to date with trends, rules, and protocols.
• Open, honest, and clear communicator who continuously seeks to learn and develop.
• Energetic and enthusiastic, supporting others and sharing ownership of tasks.

Application Guidance

Diversity is our strength, and we encourage applications from those with varied experiences, whether you meet every listed requirement or not. If you’re passionate about PR and looking for an opportunity to grow, we’d love to hear from you.

Why Join Us?

Working with us means more than just a role in PR. It’s about being part of a team that values well‑being and personal growth. Here’s what we offer:

• Travel opportunities onboard P&O Cruises ships
• Be a part of our exciting partnerships including BAFTA TV Awards, Pride of Britain, and Southampton Football Club
• Flexible and Hybrid working model (minimum requirement of 3 days ‘on‑site’)
• Employee Discounted Cruising plus Friends and Family offers
• Minimum 25 days leave, bank holiday allowance, and holiday trading scheme
• Recognition scheme with prizes and awards
• Regular office events including live entertainment, lifestyle events, and charity partner fundraisers
• Extensive learning and development opportunities
• Employee‑led networks
• Employee Assistance and Wellbeing programmes
• Company paid Health Cash Plan and health assessment
• In‑house Occupational Health help and access to digital GP
• Life Assurance
• Parental and adoption leave
• Employee Shares Plan
• Electric Car and Cycle to Work schemes
• Onsite restaurant offering a range of healthy cooked and grab and go meals
• Discounted retail and leisure via discounts portal
• Contributory Defined Contribution Pension scheme
• A friendly welcome with help settling in

Due to the popularity of our roles and our commitment to finding the best talent, we might close applications earlier than advertised. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to become part of a team dedicated to creating unforgettable holiday happiness. Apply today to start your journey with us.

About Us

Holidays are one of life’s greatest pleasures. Having the chance to relax, escape and explore is a magical thing. And there is no better holiday than a cruise. No one knows cruising like Carnival UK, where talented people from across the globe come together to create unforgettable holiday happiness. As part of the world’s largest holiday travel and leisure company, we take enormous pride in bringing to life two of the most iconic brands from Britain’s rich seafaring heritage, P&O Cruises and Cunard. Collectively they have been delivering unbridled joy, boundless adventure and lifelong memories to millions of people for over 350 years. And in a multi‑million pound global holiday market, where cruising has barely scratched the surface, we have the opportunity to do that for many, many more people. Our diverse yet tight knit teams share high standards, heartfelt values and passion for our purpose. Our Culture Essentials describe the expectations we have for ourselves and of each other, in building a culture that supports safe, sustainable, compliant operations and celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. It’s through the successful delivery of these extraordinary travel experiences for our target markets and our distinctive culture, that we hope to become Travel’s Employer of Choice.