Head of Brand Partnerships, PR & Social 12 Month FTC

We are looking for an experienced, culturally connected and commercially minded Head of Partnerships, PR & Social to lead how the Debenhams brand shows up beyond our own campaigns.

Reporting to the Brand Director, you’ll own the strategy across PR, partnerships, influencers & creators, events and social, building fame, conversation, reach and relevance for one of Britain’s most recognised retail brands.

This is a big external-facing role. You’ll be constantly looking for the people, partnerships, stories, cultural moments and opportunities that can put Debenhams front and centre.

You’ll work alongside our Head of Brand Marketing, who owns brand campaigns and content. Together, you’ll ensure brilliant campaign ideas don't simply launch; they travel, generating conversation through media, creators, partners, experiences and social.

This is a 12 Month FTC, based at our Debenhams HQ - Dale Street. Manchester, 5 days a week.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

PR & Communications

• Own the consumer PR strategy for the Debenhams brand, building awareness, relevance and positive conversation.
• Identify the stories, moments and opportunities that can generate standout earned media coverage.
• Build strong relationships with key fashion, beauty, home, lifestyle and consumer media.
• Lead our PR agency relationships, ensuring clear objectives, brilliant execution and strong ROI.
• Develop proactive PR plans around key brand moments, launches, partnerships and commercial priorities.
• Work closely with the Brand Director and wider Communications teams to ensure brand PR is aligned with the broader Debenhams narrative.
• Identify opportunities for senior brand spokespeople, thought leadership and commentary where relevant.
• Own press events, media moments, launches and brand experiences.
• Monitor brand sentiment, coverage and share of voice, using insight to shape future activity.
• Support reactive PR and reputation management where required.

Partnerships

• Develop and deliver the Debenhams partnership strategy, identifying brand, commercial and cultural collaborations that grow reach and relevance.
• Build relationships with complementary brands, talent, media, entertainment and cultural partners.
• Lead partnership negotiations from idea through to activation.
• Identify partnerships that can drive brand fame, customer acquisition, PR impact and commercial value.
• Ensure partnerships feel distinctly Debenhams and create genuine reasons for customers and media to talk about the brand.
• Measure performance and ROI to continually improve future investment.

Influencer & Creator

• Own the Debenhams influencer and creator strategy across fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle.
• Build a powerful network of creators who genuinely fit our brand and customer.
• Develop longer-term ambassador relationships alongside tactical campaign activity.
• Lead influencer agencies and partners, ensuring activity delivers against clear brand and commercial objectives.
• Spot emerging creators and cultural voices before everybody else does.
• Measure performance across reach, engagement, earned value, traffic and commercial impact.

Social

• Set the strategic direction for Debenhams across our social channels.
• Build an always-on social presence that feels current, engaging and culturally connected.
• Grow our communities and create genuine two-way conversation with customers.
• Ensure social brilliantly amplifies our wider campaigns, PR moments, partnerships and creator activity.
• Stay ahead of new platforms, behaviours, trends and opportunities.
• Use performance data and cultural insight to continually evolve our approach.

Events & Experiences

• Own the strategy and delivery of Debenhams brand events, launches and experiences.
• Create moments people genuinely want to attend, share and talk about.
• Bring together media, influencers, customers, partners and talent around key brand moments.
• Lead event agencies, suppliers and production partners.
• Identify opportunities for Debenhams to show up in the cultural calendar in unexpected and relevant ways.
• Ensure every experience delivers both brand impact and measurable value.

WORKING WITH BRAND MARKETING

This role sits alongside our Head of Brand Marketing.

Head of Brand Marketing - Creates the story

Head of Partnerships, PR & Social - Creates the conversation

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We're looking for a senior brand leader who understands how modern consumer brands build relevance.

You'll ideally bring:

• Significant senior experience across PR, partnerships, influencer, social or brand activation, ideally within fashion, beauty, retail, lifestyle or another consumer-led business.
• Strong consumer PR experience and an excellent understanding of the UK media landscape.
• A strong network across media, talent, creators, brands and agencies.
• Proven experience developing high-impact brand partnerships.
• Deep understanding of influencer and creator marketing.
• Experience leading social strategy across major consumer platforms.
• Experience creating standout events, launches and experiential activations.
• Strong commercial judgement and experience managing meaningful budgets.
• The ability to connect brand activity to measurable business outcomes.
• Brilliant relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Experience leading high-performing teams and external agencies.
• A strong instinct for culture — what's happening now and what's coming next.
• Plenty of ideas, energy and the confidence to make them happen.

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