Communications Manager OMEGA (Maternity Cover)

The company

OMEGA is a company of the Swatch Group, the world’s leading watch manufacturer. Since 1848, the brand has been synonymous with excellence, innovation, design and precision. Thanks to its pioneering spirit, OMEGA was the first watch worn on the moon, and it has enjoyed many other accomplishments and explorations in the ocean and in space. Its women’s watches have been amongst the most admired and ingenious in the industry and, most recently, OMEGA’s reputation has been enhanced by its achievements in anti-magnetic watchmaking and its Master Chronometer certified watches, the industry’s highest standard for precision and performance.

OMEGA has been the Official Timekeeper of 30 Olympic Games since 1932 and is also a leading name in golf, swimming, athletics, bobsleigh and sailing. Partnerships with social causes include Orbis International and its Flying Eye Hospital, as well as the GoodPlanet Foundation. Today, OMEGA's family of brand ambassadors includes James Bond, George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Eddie Redmayne, Daniel Craig, Cindy Crawford, Michael Phelps, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Buzz Aldrin and many more.

 

The Role

Responsible for creating and managing a successful PR and Event strategy for the OMEGA brand within the UK and Ireland.

 

Key Responsibilities

COMMUNICATIONS

• Working closely with the Brand Manager and Head of Marketing, implement the brand’s communication strategy across all media platforms within the local market, delivering tactical plans that will boost sales

• Develop an internal (brand team and retail boutiques) and external (all media platforms) communication strategy, focusing on key messaging, product and partnership events

• Create and deliver a yearly programme of UK PR events successfully driving extensive social and media coverage supporting the brand’s key messaging

• Working in partnership with the HQ team in Switzerland, ensure clear messaging in line with global messaging and directives creating awareness with both current and new audiences for the brand

• Maintain press clippings folders for archive, updating on a regular basis

• Compilation and presentation of monthly activity reports for the brands teams and relevant HQ reporting

• Bi-annual statistical analysis of all editorial results for review, feedback and to set future objectives

• Identify and facilitate new joint venture and partnership PR opportunities that are relevant for the UK market

• Ensure PR budgets are managed carefully and in line with the brand requirements

 

MEDIA RELATIONS / PR

• Strengthen relationships for the brand with the key media, with daily communication and regular meetings

• Act as an ambassador for OMEGA, attending all necessary external events and ensuring the first point of contact for all press enquiries

• Be proactive and strategic, keeping relevant press/media aware of new developments at all times, looking for new opportunities for OMEGA placements at all times

• Maximise editorial coverage through special stories – feature pieces and profile stories for the brands products, heritage, ambassadors, brand partnerships and events

• Organise press trips, accompany journalists on all UK and international event activations to ensure coverage is maximized in the UK

• Create, develop and manage influencer/celebrity endorsement for the brands in the UK on an informal level

• Identify new partnerships for the brand in the local market – including both ‘friend of the brand’ partnerships and relevant brand collaborations that continuously introduce the brand to new influential audiences.

• Supporting sporting events where the brand is involved. Create an Olympic Games communications strategy for each Summer and Winter Olympic Games where the brand is Official Timekeeper, creating a close working relationships with the BOA, athletes and key sports media

• Working closely with the Marketing Manager, develop a strong relationship with key commercial partners. Ensure that media coverage is maximised with brand media partners at all times ensuring story placements are in discussion regularly and any concerns managed efficiently.

• Manage and coordinate all loan/shoot requests for the brand in the market .

 

Professional requirements

• Minimum 5 years of working within PR for luxury brands

• Degree-level education with superb writing and editing skills

• Exceptional communication and organisational skills

• Demonstrate strength of character, resilience and ability to work well under pressure

• Strong existing relationships with media (print, digital, social), including in luxury

• Good knowledge and experience of driving digital and social media PR

• Proven ability to create and produce high-profile luxury events

• Proactive, team player with proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships

• Driven, focused and willing to go the extra mile

• An excellent understanding of the luxury market, with a clear interest and observation of other brand activations in this space

• Ability to travel internationally regularly, including for several weeks at a time for the Olympic Games

• Strong celebrity contacts– proven experience of working with influential agents for VIPs and athletes

• Experience of working on high-profile sporting events with relevant industry media contacts an advantage but not essential.

• Fluent in English, French an advantage but not essential