Who We Are:
Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.
JOB MISSION:
We are seeking a Public Relations (PR) & Communications Manager to lead the development and execution of communication strategies for the UK & Ireland market, ensuring brand consistency and impactful messaging across all channels. The role focuses on shaping consumerperception, directing media relations, and strengthening community engagement. It requires strategic leadership of the PR plan, agency management, and accountability for measurable results aligned with regional and globalobjectivesThis role reports directly to the Senior Brand & Communications Manager, UK& I.
MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Strategy Development and Brand Alignment
Develop and implement the PR strategy, ensuring alignment with market and regional PR vision and businessobjectives
Lead PR and communication strategies in collaboration with EMEA Central PR, to reflect consumer behavior, sports culture, and media landscape.
Communications, Brandmessagingand Storytelling
Position New Balance as a leading sports and lifestyle brand byleveragingheritage and innovation.
Direct and oversee experiential, PR-led events and activations to drive earned media, create product and local hype, and strengthen consumer engagement.
Act as the brand spokesperson, developing and pitching compelling stories to secure impactful coverage and managing all media inquiries.
Local PR Agency Management
Manage and evaluate local PRagencyand partners, providing clear briefs, KPIs, and performance reviews to ensure delivery against New Balance’sobjectivesand standards.
Collaborate with the agency to adapt global strategies for local execution,maintainingcreativity, impact, andtimelydelivery.
Community and Key Opinion Leader Engagement
Develop and manage relationships with KOL, athletes, tastemakers, and the Run catalysts team, ensuring continuity in community leadership and maximizing brand exposure.
Lead PR-driven activations across all categories toengagerunning and lifestyle communities, amplify brand storytelling, andmaintaina consistent New Balance voice in the market.
Oversee the seeding program, ensuring strategic placement of New Balance products with KOL/tastemakers to fully enhance brand exposure.
Measurement, Market Insights and Analytics
Monitor and analyze media coverage, PR campaign effectiveness, and industry trends specific to New Balance's target demographics.
Provide regular reports and actionable insights tooptimizePR performance and inform future strategies.
Budget Management
Plan,allocate, and manage provided Communication/PR budgets to ensure efficient use of resources.
Conduct budget reviews and track performance in partnership with the UK and central marketing team to ensure transparency and alignment.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS
Relevant number ofyears’ experience in a fast paced, brand environment
Ability to lead a strategic plan and have long term vision
Experience of media planning, social media, PR and Comms, and creative delivery essential
Full funnel understanding with a commercial outlook
A clear understanding of working across multiple agencies is essential.
Sports and/or retail backgroundisdesirable
Highly organized and able to work across multiple campaigns
Creative & analyticalapproach.
Budget management, tracking, and reporting experience
Consumer first approach with a clear understanding of customer profiles and 360’ journey
Experience of Event driven marketing and activations
Agency-management experience
Strong attention to detail
Great teammate
Ability to work weekends and unsociable hours when required
Interest in running, fashion, and culture.
BENEFITS:
Discretionary Bonus Opportunity
Private Medical Insurance
Dental Scheme
Pension Scheme
Flexible Working Hours
Hybrid working (3 days on-site)
25 days Annual Leave per year
Life Insurance
On Site Gym
Employee Discount
Flexibility to work 20 days from anywhere each year
Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)
Equal Opportunity Employer:
New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.
If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.
In 1906, New Balance began as a humble one-man operation founded on the belief that “we were born to move,” and has since grown into an international corporation, selling footwear and apparel in over 120 countries and employing over 14,000 associates worldwide. Our mission has always been to support the performance of athletes, and with an unparalleled focus on quality and craftsmanship, we’ve come to set the standard for comfort and fit in an industry all too often driven by hype.
We’re incredibly proud of our history and how far we’ve come, but companies don’t thrive for over a century by being content.
Whether it’s setting a new style trend, retooling our manufacturing process, or building a new state-of-the-art headquarters, we pursue innovation with a spirit of fearless independence. As the only privately held major footwear company in the world, we’re free to do things our way, pushing limits and testing boundaries as we continually reimagine what could be. After all, the status quo isn’t static.
But doing things our way wouldn’t mean much if we weren’t also doing them the right way. We invest in our associates as they invest in us, and as we move forward, we make a point of giving back, supporting communities around us through ambitious philanthropic efforts and involvement programs. We are a company that cares, and our culture is one of integrity and teamwork where together we become greater than the sum of our parts.
