Head of PR & Social Media

With 37 inspiring lifestyle hotels across the UK, Malmaison & Hotel du Vin offer unparalleled sophistication, tailored service, and authentic experiences. Each of our properties tells a unique story, combining timeless elegance with modern luxury.

We're looking for a confident and well-connected PR & Social Lead to shape how Malmaison and Hotel du Vin show up in the media and on social. This role leads our press office, earned media strategy, influencer activity and organic social media content, working across both brands to deliver consistent, creative and culturally relevant coverage and conversation.

You'll manage agency partners, build media relationships, and oversee two regional Social Media Managers to ensure that all output, from national coverage to Instagram Reels, feels aligned, strategic and true to brand. As a key contact for senior leadership and a partner to hotel teams, you'll bring strong judgement, a proactive mindset and a calm hand in high-pressure situations.

This is a senior, strategic and delivery-focused role, perfect for someone who knows how to craft stories that land, handle issues with care, and guide teams to deliver best-in-class brand communications.

What you'll be doing as Head of PR & Social Media:

• Own and lead the overall PR strategy for Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, managing external agencies and setting clear targets for earned media performance.
• Act as the lead for all press office activity, managing incoming media enquiries, preparing statements, handling approvals and building journalist relationships.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for crisis communications, advising senior leadership, shaping reactive messaging and coordinating internal alignment.
• Build and manage influencer campaigns from sourcing and briefing through to delivery and performance tracking.
• Oversee regional organic social content through two direct reports, ensuring it aligns with tone, brand priorities and commercial objectives.
• Develop media toolkits, briefing materials and PR messaging that reflect each brand's distinct personality and positioning.
• Attend PR events, brand activations and media functions as a representative of both brands.
• Use platforms such as Gorkana, Brandwatch or Meltwater to manage media lists, track coverage and report on PR impact.
• Monitor brand sentiment, conversation and competitor activity using tools such as Brandwatch, Sprout or Hootsuite, sharing insights with leadership and using data to guide strategy.

What we're looking for:

• Strong experience leading PR and/or social in a lifestyle, hospitality or high-profile consumer brand environment.
• A confident media handler and writer, with experience managing reactive statements, proactive campaigns and full-service press offices.
• Proven track record of earned media results, influencer campaign delivery and working effectively with agency partners.
• Experience providing strategic comms guidance to senior leadership, particularly during brand issues or reputational moments.
• Comfortable owning crisis comms and working cross-functionally to manage narrative and response.
• Experienced in using PR tools such as Gorkana or Meltwater, and social monitoring tools such as Brandwatch or Sprinklr.
• Collaborative, calm under pressure and highly organised, with strong judgement and an eye for opportunity.
• Ability to work with various departments and stakeholders, fostering strong relationships internally and externally.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.