PR & Communications Manager

PR & Communications Manager

About Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Hallgarten are one of the UK’s leading wine specialists, working with some of the UK’s top on and off trade businesses. Our award-winning portfolio has circa 1200 wines from every corner of the wine making world and is at the core of our success. Not only did we celebrating our 90^th year in 2023, but we are proud to have been awarded the prestigious IWC ‘On trade Wine Supplier of the Year’, Drinks Business ‘Drinks Company of the Year’ and IWSC ‘Wine Distributor of the Year’. We are also Sliver accredited Investors in People and proudly part of Coterie Holdings.

Main Purpose:

• To drive the communications, PR and engagement strategy for Hallgarten, internally and externally
  • Drive the awareness, visibility and reputation of Hallgarten in the wine trade by communicating its strengths and expertise, ensuring that Hallgarten is one of the first distributors that customers think of when they are looking for a wine supplier
  • Execute a proactive and engaging dialogue via social media and website to ensure Hallgarten is seen at the leading-edge of trade debate with robust knowledge and interesting facts.
  • Create engaging and motivating content for customers in order to drive sales performance
  • Strengthen relationships with trade media titles and wine writers in order to drive greater visibility for Hallgarten, its suppliers and its portfolio
  • Deliver materials that communicate Hallgarten’s strengths and key messages
  • Support driving inclusivity via comms and help to shape change in the wine trade

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver a PR and Communications strategy with the Senior PR & Communications Manager, based on three core strands:
  • Drive awareness of our supplier portfolio to target trade media via category and thought leadership
  • Grow the premium image and reputation of ‘Brand Hallgarten’ in all areas of the wine trade
  • Drive Off Trade sales of wines from the Hallgarten portfolio in premium consumer media titles
• PR – write and produce press releases on relevant topics and write feature copy for a number of different titles and audiences.
  • Direct engagement and relationship with key media, influencers and journalists
  • Management of press sampling and utilising of press quotes
• Social media – In conjunction with the Senior PR & Communications Manager, coordinate, manage and grow Hallgarten’s B2B social media platforms to increase awareness, build engagement and drive stronger visibility, proactively creating content with key stakeholders and maintain reactive community management
  • Drive understanding and proactive usage across the business
  • Stay up to date with social media trends and developments, suggest areas for improvement/ideas
• Coordinate and support content for Hallgarten’s trade magazine ‘Assemblage’ and other brochures (digital and/or print versions)
• Manage the delivery of the annual Price Lists (Trade, Indie and International) in conjunction with the Buying, Supplier and Design teams
• Ensure all trade activity is communicated effectively to all relevant audiences
• Develop and deliver regular communications to customers through MailChimp
• Communicate and engage with the sales teams to maximise the effect of comms strategies with Hallgarten customers
• Manage ‘The Epicurean’ (monthly internal digital newsletter) and other internal communications
• Develop and maintain the company website with engaging and up-to-date content

Requirements & Experience

• Understanding of and experience with B2B social media platforms
• Proven track record of successful campaign and project management
• Excellent copywriting, creative writing and proof-reading skills
• Keenness to learn and experiment with new ideas, trends, channels and platforms
• Customer/commercial understanding
• Strong and effective communicator, written and verbal
• Calm co-ordinator
• Strong attention to detail
• Good influencer to get the information and material required
• Passionate about the industry and communicating a key message
• Builds productive working relationships
• Results and initiative orientation
• Takes responsibility – with a desire to excel
• Self-starter who is able to work at pace and multi-task
• Ambitious for both the company and themselves
• Degree in Marketing or other relevant discipline
• PR and communications experience and working background
• Experience in social media management
• Preferably wine literate, with WSET qualification
• Advanced user of Microsoft Office tools
• Preferably experienced in MailChimp and Adobe Creative Cloud

What is on offer

• Competitive Salary

• Bonus Structure and Company Profit Share Scheme

• Pension scheme
• 25 Days Annual Leave per annum with the ability to purchase up to 5 days

Additional Information

This role is based in our Head Office in Capability Green, Luton working in a hybrid way after probation.

The ethos and culture of Hallgarten lies at the heart of everything we do, our 5 values of Partnership, Positivity, Passion, Pride and progression mean you will find a collaborative, supportive and friendly team that gives you a platform to succeed and grow.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to equality of opportunity for our current and future employees irrespective of their gender, age, race, disability, marital status, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We believe that the wide range of perspectives that result from diversity promotes innovation and business success. If you need reasonable adjustments at any point in the recruitment process, please let us know and in your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use.

Closing date for applications is 30^th June 2024 but we reserve the right to close earlier should we find the successful candidate.  Please send an up-to-date CV to [email protected]