Senior Public Relations Manager

We are seeking a talented Senior Public Relations Manager to join our team here at Outcomes First Group!
Outcomes First Group is dedicated to giving neurodivergent children and young people access to a great education that caters to their specific needs, abilities and aspirations. As the largest and most reputable organisation in our sector, we offer education and care from early years through to further education.
Job Purpose:
As our Senior Public Relations Manager you will be responsible for collaborating with our PR partners (agency and investors) to ensure Outcomes First Group, trading brands and services are held in the highest regard with a specific focus on crisis management and adverse media interest. More broadly the role will include developing and implementing proactive PR strategies and campaigns, preparing press releases, organising PR events, analysing opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships and advertising.
The Public Relations Manager reports into the Executive team through Group Commercial Director and accountable to the CEO and lead investment partner. This role will also have close collaborative working relationships with the Marketing and Communications Team.
Core Role Responsibilities:
Lead the implementation of the company’s communication strategy with a strong emphasis on PR, crisis management and adverse media response.
Manages and provides input into a comprehensive PR / crisis communications strategy/playbook to reinforce image and reputation across all internal and external stakeholders.
Act as the primary contact with our retained PR agency and manage all these communications effectively.
First point of contact for media engagement (including out of hours).
Timely drafting/production of communications materials including press releases, talking points, fact sheets, and internal memos. Coordinate with colleagues to facilitate executive and investment partner review and signoff of communications materials.
Early identification and escalation of emerging issues to senior management.
Provide communications and issues management support to services when there is an adverse media event.
Monitor and maintain the adverse media reputation tracker.
Prepare and issue press releases to support, key policy themes and activities.
Qualifications and Experience:
7 Years plus experience working at an agency or in-house PR role, preferably in the special education services sector.
Ability to remain calm under pressure, handle stressful situations, think clearly and act fast.
A critical thinker, with the ability to manage risk whilst maintaining strong governance for an organisation. Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders and effectively collaborate with teams across a broad network or schools.
The desire to work in service-oriented business - highly organised with the ability to multitask on various projects.
Passionate about people and service, with an uncompromised focus on discretion, privacy, and respect.
Self-starter with an interest in various PR projects including crisis management, corporate communications, thought leadership and content production/marketing.
Technological proficiency and well versed in Microsoft Office and PowerPoint
Why Join us?
About the Group
There are three brands in our Outcomes First family: Acorn Education, Options Autism and Momenta Connect. Together, we educate, care for and support children, young people, and adults across the UK, empowering them to be happy and make their way in the world.
Our Vision
We believe that with a great education, every neurodivergent pupil can thrive and make their way in the world.
Our Mission
Every day we improve the lives of our pupils, their families, and local communities through a relentless focus on wellbeing and learning.
Our Promise
We are kind to ourselves and each other...We work together... and we make things happen.
Our Promise sits alongside our Vision and Mission. It describes the sort of people we are and our commitment to how we treat each other, work together, and behave.
It represents what’s truly important to us as individuals and as a team. It is easily translatable into behaviours we all practice and experience every day. It's the golden thread that runs through every leader, team and individual.
How do we achieve and deliver the 'Incredible'?
We are dedicated to providing exceptional educational opportunities and care for neurodivergent young people. Our focus is on ensuring that each of our pupils has access to learning that is tailored to their needs, enabling them to overcome specific barriers, achieve personal goals, and celebrate their successes. At the heart of everything we do is the individual pupil.
We are committed to staying up to date with the latest developments in SEN education, and we continuously strive to innovate our approach and empower our teams to achieve the best possible outcomes for our pupils. Our multi-disciplinary teams bring together an array of specialisms and expertise, collaborating to find a route to success for every pupil, whatever that may mean for them.
Our efforts are paying off - in the last academic year alone, we educated over 3,000 neurodivergent pupils, and 98% of our schools were given an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. Even more importantly, 100% of our leavers go on to employment, education, or training - a significantly higher rate than the national average.
We firmly believe that our young people possess great potential, and we are committed to helping them fulfil it.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or would like to apply for this rewarding position.
Why work for us?
Your wellbeing is very important to us, and we know that being able to choose the benefits that suit you and your family will support your wellbeing.