📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: PR Manager (12-month Fixed Term Contract, Mat Cover)
🔹 Company: The Walt Disney Company
🔹 Location: London, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (4 days on-site)
🔹 Category: Public Relations
🔹 Date Posted: April 14, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (4 days per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving publicity for Disney Consumer Products (DCP) licensing business and key products
- Leading creative communications campaigns for priority franchises in the market and across EMEA
- Elevating the earned media appeal of products, retail campaigns, and programs to drive relevance for TWDC brands and franchises
- Partnering with the wider communications team and other departments to maximize campaign success and synergy opportunities
- Managing press relations for all licensed products and retail activation for key brands in the local market
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the Disney brand and its reception in relevant markets. The candidate should be comfortable working within legal guidelines provided by the legal department.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Maintain excellent contacts with the media and influencer space, and constantly seek out new opportunities to grow network
✅ Responsible for overseeing the supporting team and agency resources, ensuring they are briefed in a timely manner and campaigns deliver against business goals
✅ Work with the Senior Communications Manager to define media and influencer strategy around specific campaigns and initiatives to deliver the best possible results
✅ Lead the execution of campaigns to support Disney Consumer Products licensing, publishing, games, Stores, and key franchises
✅ Present campaign plans to key stakeholders to ensure all activity is made known and maximized across the business
✅ Write and ensure the appropriate distribution of press releases, review and approve the work of more junior colleagues
✅ Maintain and manage effective campaign budgets
✅ Responsible for the overall management of press relations for all licensed products and retail activation for the Disney Princess, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm brands in the local market
✅ Optimize all communication/PR opportunities for key Hardlines products, depending on seasonality, current events, releases, and franchise priorities in consultation with the relevant stakeholders in order to meet business objectives
✅ Write and distribute press releases and media alerts for the general press
✅ Crisis management: responsible for defending the brand's reputation and assisting licensees with crisis management in market, supporting the Senior Communications Manager (where applicable)
✅ Develop comprehensive reports to communicate results for key PR campaigns and initiatives to executive team and key stakeholders
✅ Keep up-to-date on PR industry and media landscape and be able to identify strategic PR and event opportunities
✅ Monitor brand landscape for potential issues and work closely with issues management team to develop crisis communication plans, draft statements, etc.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong media relations skills and the ability to execute high-impact PR campaigns. The candidate should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and have experience managing relationships with external agencies.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in public relations, with a focus on media relations and campaign execution
Required Skills:
- Ability to create and execute high-impact PR campaigns from conception to delivery
- Ability to manage relationships with external agencies, draft agency briefs, and select preferred partners
- Strong commercial awareness and budget management skills
- Ability to understand and work within the legal guidelines provided by the legal department
- Good understanding of the Disney brand, its reception, and profile in relevant markets
- Strong media relations skills with a hands-on approach to media outreach
- Social media savvy with strong creative sensibility and ability to conceptualize campaign ideas autonomously
- Skilled at crafting news hooks and media pitches
- Persuasive with strong presentation skills and ability to pitch an idea and build consensus around campaigns
- Computer literate including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Keynote
- Written and spoken English for business use, essential; professional proficiency in other relevant European languages necessary for local market, essential
- Excellent strategic approach to problem-solving and innovation
- Exceptional planning and organization skills
- Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with Disney or a similar entertainment company
- Familiarity with the EMEA region and its media landscape
ASSUMPTION: Given the fixed-term contract nature of this role, candidates with relevant experience and a strong understanding of the Disney brand are likely to be a good fit. Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is also beneficial.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £45,000 - £55,000 per annum (pro-rated for the 12-month contract)
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave
- Private medical insurance & dental care
- Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
- Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
- Excellent parental and guardian leave
- Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, with flexibility to work additional hours as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a PR Manager role in the United Kingdom. The benefits listed are subject to change and may vary based on the company's policies.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Entertainment Providers
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: 1992
Company Description:
- The Walt Disney Company is an American multinational entertainment and media conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. It is the world's largest media conglomerate in terms of revenue, with a market capitalization of over $250 billion as of 2021.
- Disneyland Paris is a theme park located in Marne-la-Vallée, France, and is owned and operated by Euro Disney S.C.A., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.
Company Specialties:
- Marketing
- Communication
- Engineering
- Human Resources
- Sales
- Finance
- Legal
- Real Estate Development
- Information Technology
- Event Management
- Supply Chain
- Logistics
- Procurement
- Revenue Management
- Research
- Strategy
- Audit
- Construction
- Pricing
- Hospitality
- Tourism
Company Website: careers.disneylandparis.com
ASSUMPTION: Disney is a well-established company with a strong global presence. This role is based in London, but the candidate may be required to work with teams across EMEA.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to Senior
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Communications Manager
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 4 days on-site and 1 day remote
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on additional responsibilities and grow within the communications team
- Opportunity to work on high-profile campaigns and initiatives
- possibility to transition to a permanent role, depending on business needs and performance
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the communications team. The fixed-term contract nature of the role may also provide an opportunity to gain experience in a specific area of the business before moving on to a permanent position.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate office with a creative and collaborative work environment
Office Location(s): London, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- London is a major global city with a thriving entertainment industry
- The office is located in a convenient and accessible location
- The role may require occasional travel to other EMEA locations
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, with flexibility to work additional hours as needed
ASSUMPTION: The location of this role provides easy access to major transportation links and amenities. The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- In-person or video interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Media relations and campaign execution skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Cultural fit and understanding of the Disney brand
- Ability to work effectively in a hybrid team environment
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Include specific examples of successful PR campaigns you have led or contributed to
- Demonstrate your understanding of the Disney brand and its relevance in the EMEA market
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the team, the role, and the company's goals for the next 12 months
ATS Keywords: PR Manager, Public Relations, Media Relations, Campaign Execution, Disney, EMEA, Hybrid, Communications, Brand Management, Influencer Strategy, Crisis Management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on assessing the candidate's media relations and campaign execution skills, as well as their cultural fit with the Disney brand.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Keynote)
- PR software and tools (e.g., Cision, Muck Rack, Agility PR Solutions)
- Social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the PR industry. The candidate should be comfortable using Microsoft Office Suite and PR software, as well as social media platforms and project management tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation and Creativity
- Quality
- Excellence
- Inclusion
- Integrity
- Optimism
- Decisiveness
- Storytelling
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Creative and innovative
- Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality campaigns
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Disney's values of innovation, creativity, and excellence in your approach to PR?
- How comfortable are you working in a hybrid team environment, collaborating with team members both on-site and remotely?
- How do you ensure that your work style fits with the dynamic and fast-paced nature of the PR industry?
ASSUMPTION: Disney values a diverse and inclusive work environment, with a strong focus on creativity, innovation, and excellence. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment and be able to demonstrate their alignment with Disney's values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple campaigns and deadlines simultaneously
- Working with external agencies and vendors to ensure campaigns deliver against business goals
- Adapting to the fixed-term contract nature of the role and potential changes in priorities or scope
- Navigating the complex and dynamic media landscape in the EMEA region
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges due to its fixed-term contract nature and the dynamic media landscape in the EMEA region. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and be able to adapt to changes in priorities or scope.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from similar PR Manager positions in other industries in its focus on entertainment and licensing, as well as its requirement to work with multiple brands and franchises
- PR Manager roles in the entertainment industry may require more flexibility and adaptability to work with various brands and franchises
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a permanent position or taking on additional responsibilities within the communications team
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to similar PR Manager positions in other industries. Candidates should be comfortable working with multiple brands and franchises and be able to adapt to the unique requirements of the entertainment industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Leading a high-profile campaign to launch a new Disney franchise in the EMEA region
- Managing a crisis communication plan for a licensing partner in response to a product recall
- Developing and executing a strategic influencer marketing campaign to drive brand awareness for a key Disney franchise
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects highlight the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this role, requiring strong media relations skills, strategic thinking, and adaptability.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader communications team and the company's overall goals for the next 12 months?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the communications team?
- How does the company support work-life balance for employees working in a hybrid arrangement?
- What are the key challenges facing the communications team in the EMEA region, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help the candidate understand the role's priorities, fit within the broader organization, and opportunities for professional growth and development. They also address the unique challenges presented by the role's fixed-term contract nature and hybrid work arrangement.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through careers.disneylandparis.com
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the team, the role, and the company's goals for the next 12 months
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
