PR Director, EMEA (10-month contract)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: PR Director, EMEA (10-month contract)

🔹 Company: KAYAK

🔹 Location: London, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: Contract

🔹 Category: Public Relations

🔹 Date Posted: April 7, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with remote work options)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and implementing creative PR strategies and campaigns across EMEA
• Leading a team and collaborating cross-functionally with various departments
• Working with external agencies and managing multiple brands
• Analyzing and measuring PR impact to refine strategies and improve results

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a digital-first mentality. The 10-month fixed term nature of the role may attract candidates seeking a specific time commitment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Own the end-to-end execution of PR campaigns, from ideation to results, ensuring alignment with business and communications strategies

✅ Craft and distill key messages from across the business to inform compelling PR campaigns and communication plans

✅ Lead large-scale, multi-layered, omni-channel communication strategies, working cross-functionally with Brand Marketing, SEO, Content, Social teams

✅ Develop and oversee communications materials, ensuring PR Managers and regional teams can effectively localize campaigns in their markets

✅ Foster positive relationships with media, influencers, and industry partners, identifying opportunities to elevate KAYAK’s brand presence

✅ Analyze and measure PR impact, using data to refine strategies and improve results

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to balance multiple campaigns and stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Degree in Communications, PR, or Journalism (similar degrees may be considered, dependent on the relevancy of your skills and experience)

Experience: 10+ years working experience in PR required, preferably within B2C communication

Required Skills:

• Proven track record designing, implementing and measuring successful PR campaigns
• Experience working with PR and communication in a sizable, international company
• Strong interpersonal skills, and an ability to navigate between multiple brands and stakeholders across many locations
• Ambitious, motivated individual with a desire to make a difference and get their hands into every stage of a PR campaign, from strategy, conceptualization to execution and measurement

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with external agencies
• Fluency in multiple languages

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in English is likely required for this role due to the international nature of the company and the need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £80,000 - £100,000 per year (AI-estimated, based on market rates for a PR Director role in London)

Benefits:

• Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year
• Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth
• Company-paid subscription to HeadSpace
• Company-wide week off a year
• No meeting Fridays
• Paid parental leave
• Generous paid vacation + time off for your birthday
• Paid volunteer time
• Development Dollars
• Leadership development
• Access to thousand of on-demand e-learnings
• Travel Discounts
• Employee Resource Groups
• 5 weeks paid vacation
• Private health & dental insurance
• Income protection and life assurance
• Employee Assistance Program - including 24/7 GP & free legal advice
• Pension plan contributions
• Discounted gym membership
• Bike2Work
• Season ticket loan
• Social events & Thursday happy hours
• Free lunch 2 days per week

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible working hours and remote work options

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market data for similar roles in London. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and skills.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: KAYAK is a leading travel search engine, operating a portfolio of global metasearch brands including momondo, Cheapflights, and HotelsCombined. The company is part of Booking Holdings Inc. and operates sites in more than 70 countries and territories.

Company Size: KAYAK has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Founded: KAYAK was founded in 2004 and has since grown into a global leader in travel search.

Company Description:

• KAYAK helps millions of travelers around the globe make confident travel decisions by searching other sites to show travelers the information they need to find the right flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages.
• The company aims to make travel planning and trip management easier with tools and features such as KAYAK Trips, Explore, Price Forecast, and its constantly evolving app and A.I. innovations.
• KAYAK is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to be a workplace that fosters inclusion and reflects the diverse communities it serves.

Company Specialties:

• Travel Tools

Company Website: http://www.kayak.com

ASSUMPTION: KAYAK's focus on travel search and metasearch brands makes it a unique and dynamic place to work in the tech industry. Its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is evident in its company culture and benefits.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring strategic thinking, leadership, and extensive PR experience.

Reporting Structure: The PR Director will manage one direct report and collaborate with various departments, including Brand Marketing, SEO, Content, and Social teams.

Work Arrangement: This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, with the option to work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into a permanent role or take on additional responsibilities within the global PR team
• Opportunities to work on high-impact campaigns and projects that drive business results
• Access to professional development resources, such as leadership development and on-demand e-learnings

ASSUMPTION: This 10-month contract role offers a unique opportunity for candidates seeking a specific time commitment or those looking to gain experience in a global PR team before moving into a permanent role.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: KAYAK's London office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and productivity.

Office Location(s): 7 Market St, Stamford, CT 06902, US (Global HQ) and 12-16 Laystall Street, London, England, GB (London Office)

Geographic Context:

• London is a vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving tech industry and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development.
• The city offers a high quality of life, with excellent dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions.
• London is well-connected by public transportation, making it easy to commute to and from the office.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible working hours and the option to work remotely up to 20 days per year.

ASSUMPTION: While the role is based in London, the hybrid work arrangement allows for some flexibility in working location, making it an attractive option for candidates who prefer a mix of on-site and remote work.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video call with the HR team
• In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
• Final interview with the PR Director or another senior leader

Key Assessment Areas:

• PR strategy and campaign development
• Leadership and team management skills
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
• Data-driven decision making and analytical skills

Application Tips:

• Highlight your relevant PR experience and achievements, with a focus on B2C communication and campaign success
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your fit for the role and KAYAK's company culture
• Prepare examples of your PR campaigns, including strategy, execution, and results
• Research KAYAK's company culture and values to demonstrate your alignment with the organization

ATS Keywords: PR strategy, campaign management, creative PR concepts, digital expertise, analytical skills, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, B2C communication, media relations, communication plans, data analysis, brand storytelling, cross-functional collaboration, localization, stakeholder management, innovation

ASSUMPTION: KAYAK's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' skills and cultural fit, with a focus on PR strategy, leadership, and team management. Tailoring your application to these key assessment areas will increase your chances of success.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• PR software and tools, such as Cision, Muck Rack, or Agility PR Solutions
• Project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, or JIRA
• Data analysis tools, such as Google Analytics, Tableau, or Power BI
• Microsoft Office Suite or Google Workspace

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role will depend on KAYAK's internal systems and the candidate's areas of focus. Familiarity with common PR, project management, data analysis, and office software tools is likely to be beneficial.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Innovation: KAYAK encourages creativity and continuous improvement in all aspects of the business
• Customer-centric: The company prioritizes the needs and preferences of its customers, aiming to provide the best possible travel search experience
• Collaboration: KAYAK fosters a culture of teamwork and cross-functional collaboration to drive business results

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on delivering results and driving business impact
• Data-driven, with a strong emphasis on analytics and continuous improvement
• Creative and innovative, with a focus on pushing the boundaries of traditional PR

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a proven track record of developing and executing successful PR campaigns in a B2C context?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and managing multiple stakeholders?
• Do you have strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire and motivate a team?
• Are you comfortable working with data and using analytics to inform PR strategy and measure impact?
• Do you thrive in a creative and innovative work environment, with a focus on pushing the boundaries of traditional PR?

ASSUMPTION: KAYAK's company culture is characterized by innovation, customer-centricity, and collaboration. Candidates who align with these values and work styles are likely to be a strong fit for the organization.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The 10-month fixed term nature of the role may limit long-term career prospects within the organization
• The role requires managing multiple brands and stakeholders, which can be challenging and time-consuming
• The fast-paced, dynamic work environment may be overwhelming for candidates who prefer a more stable and predictable work environment
• The role may require occasional travel to other KAYAK offices or industry events

ASSUMPTION: While this role offers many exciting opportunities, candidates should be aware of the potential challenges and ensure they are a good fit for the role's demands and work environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other PR Director roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to work on a global scale and manage a team across multiple brands
• KAYAK's focus on travel search and metasearch brands makes it a unique and dynamic place to work in the tech industry
• This role may offer more responsibility and autonomy than similar roles in smaller organizations, with the opportunity to drive business results and make a significant impact on the company's brand presence

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its global scope and brand management responsibilities, offering a challenging and rewarding opportunity for the right candidate.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a global PR campaign to launch a new travel search feature, including media outreach, influencer partnerships, and event planning
• Managing a team to localize and execute PR campaigns across multiple EMEA markets, ensuring consistent branding and messaging
• Analyzing and reporting on PR campaign performance, using data to inform strategy and improve results

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and challenges that the PR Director may face in this role, from campaign development and execution to team management and data analysis.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the global PR team?
• How does KAYAK support the professional development and growth of its PR team members?
• What are the key priorities for the PR team in the first 90 days of this role?
• How does KAYAK measure the success of its PR campaigns, and how can I contribute to improving these metrics?
• What are the most rewarding aspects of working in the PR team at KAYAK, according to current team members?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the organization's culture and priorities.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant PR experience and achievements, with a focus on B2C communication and campaign success
• Prepare examples of your PR campaigns, including strategy, execution, and results, to showcase your skills and accomplishments
• Research KAYAK's company culture and values to demonstrate your alignment with the organization and prepare for behavioral interview questions
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR team one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.