Press Officer, Penguin Random House Children's

Want to join an award-winning PR team who work with leading children’s brands and the world’s best authors? Do you love sharing stories? Do you know how to connect with audiences?  

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Press Officer to join our hugely talented and pioneering PR team at Penguin Random House Children’s on a permanent basis.  

About PRH Children’s and the PR team  

We are the UK’s no.1 children’s publisher, home to Puffin and Ladybird, and some of the most recognised entertainment brands and authors, including: Bluey, Peppa Pig, Peter Rabbit, The Snowman, Tom Fletcher, Roald Dahl, Jeff Kinney, Adam Kay, Katie Kirby, Robin Stevens and Jacqueline Wilson. We also launch talented new rising stars in the children’s space, including: Jamie Littler, Rachel Morrisroe, Kim Hillyard, Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, Sathnam Sanghera and Manjeet Mann.  

Our marketing and PR teams are organised into three audience-focussed mini- hubs (across  Preschool, Primary and YA) and we are looking for a new PR Manager to largely work across our Preschool and Primary Hubs, reporting into the Senior PR Manager.   

Key responsibilities of the role  

Our award-winning Children’s PR team is seeking an enthusiastic and extremely well-organised Press Officer to work across its outstanding portfolio of books and brands. You will have proven PR experience and will be used to running and managing your own press campaigns.   

You don’t need to have prior children’s book experience, but we are looking for relevant experience and knowledge of reaching children’s consumers and children’s media landscape.  

As Press Officer, you’ll be responsible for planning and implementing PR campaigns with direction from more senior members of staff and the role will cover the following areas:  

• Developing publicity plans (this may be with the support of more senior colleagues) and implementing campaigns  

• Promoting books and authors through social media and digital channels, print and broadcast to ensure coverage and generate sales  

• Manage all aspects of author events including event creation, schedule management and social media content across our channels. Such events may include: book festivals, schools events, stock signings and bookshop window painting.  

• Establishing and maintaining relationships with key influencers in the industry  

• Responding to and fulfilling routine requests from trade and consumer media for information, author features, review copies etc  

• Building relationships with authors and providing the highest level of author care at all times  

• Creating and writing press materials, contribution to written acquisition pitches  

• Keeping up to date with the UK media spectrum to be aware of coverage of PRH Children’s titles and of publishing news  

• Liaising regularly with other internal departments, such as marketing, sales, editorial, in order to plan, implement and review campaigns  

• Undertaking general administrative tasks as required to facilitate the smooth running of the department, ranging from maintaining databases, submitting books for awards to financial tasks such as raising purchase orders  

What you’ll bring  

You don’t need to have worked in publishing before to be considered for this role, but a passion to work with children’s brands is essential.  Perhaps you’ve worked in entertainment or media PR previously, or in a PR agency – whatever your PR background, we’d like to hear from you if you:  

• Love reading and have a keen interest in the UK children’s book market  

• Have an avid interest in the media landscape  

• Are interested in digital platforms and follow social influencers  

• Are a creative individual who isn’t afraid to think outside of the box  

• Have strong personal organisation and time management skills  

• Are a team player but can work autonomously using initiative  

Application Instructions 

If this sounds like you and you’re ready for the challenge, please apply with your CV and Cover Letter by midnight on Sunday 30th June 2024. .  

What you can expect from us  

Salary: c.£30,000 depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits  

Competitive benefits package:  

Our people are the heart of our business, and we work hard to support a culture of responsibility and recognition.  

Our benefits include: 

Financial – discounted shopping, season ticket loan, rental deposit loan 

Wellbeing - healthcare cash plan, employee assistance, gym loan 

Lifestyle – taste card, tech scheme, free and discounted books 

For our full benefits list please visit: https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/what-we-offer/ 

Hybrid working:  

While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. As part of the Children’s team, the expectation is that colleagues work in the office three days per week. Please note, this role will require some out of hours work, covering evening and weekend events where necessary.    

The recruitment process:  

You can read about our recruitment process at https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/how-we-hire/ 

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview. 

We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your request. 

Please note, we are not able to accept agency CVs for this role. Any CVs sent speculatively will not be eligible for a fee. 

Company: Penguin Books Limited 

Country: United Kingdom 

State/Region: London 

City: London 

Postal Code: SW11 7BW 

Job ID: 271345