Communications Manager

About the Company

Footasylum is a prominent UK retailer specialising in streetwear and sportswear, focused on delivering innovative, trend-driven products to its customers. The company emphasizes digital transformation and data-led decision making to maintain its competitive edge.

Role Overview

The role of Communications Manager is pivotal within the marketing team, reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Officer. This position requires supporting both internal and external communication efforts to shape the brand's public image and engage employees effectively. The role entails both strategic planning and hands-on execution in a dynamic, culturally focused sports retail setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage an integrated communication strategy that balances immediate trading goals with long-term brand positioning.
• Convert business aims, trading focuses, and brand campaigns into persuasive and consistent messaging frameworks.
• Maintain tone of voice consistency across all corporate and employee communications as established by marketing guidelines.
• Advise senior leadership proactively and reactively on communication tactics, reputational risks, and messaging integrity.
• Continuously assess communication effectiveness and leverage data insights to optimize engagement, reach, and impact.
• Plan and execute corporate PR and communication campaigns for product launches, brand events, partnerships, and major retail opportunities.
• Build and sustain strong alliances with media representatives, external agencies, and industry partners to enhance brand visibility.
• Identify compelling storytelling opportunities aligned with brand values and culturally relevant themes.
• Support the press office function ensuring prompt, accurate, and engaging responses to media inquiries.
• Manage relationships and expectations with external PR and communications agencies by setting objectives, KPIs, and performance benchmarks.
• Drive earned media coverage and increase brand share of voice within the sports and fashion retail sectors.
• Assist with crisis communications preparedness including drafting holding statements, briefing executives, and managing real-time reputational matters.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, social media, and influencer teams to ensure integrated campaign delivery across paid, owned, and earned media platforms.
• Design and implement an internal communications plan that effectively links employees to the company’s purpose, performance, and strategic priorities.
• Create engaging content formats to communicate business updates, strategy changes, key campaigns, and trading highlights.
• Partner with People/HR teams to support culture, engagement, and employer branding initiatives.
• Coach senior leaders in delivering clear, authentic, and impactful messages to the workforce.
• Ensure seamless communication between Stores, Head Office, and Distribution Centre teams.
• Continuously refine internal communication channels such as intranet, email, events, and video to boost clarity, engagement, and reach.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, influencing decisions with communication insights.
• Balance strategic project planning with hands-on implementation in a fast-paced retail environment.

Required Skills and Experience

• Proven experience managing communications initiatives, preferably in retail, fashion, sports, or consumer brand sectors.
• Track record of executing impactful public relations campaigns and internal communications strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to protect and enhance brand reputation and handle crisis situations effectively.
• Skilled in cross-functional collaboration and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial understanding of trading-oriented retail environments.
• Experience with sportswear, streetwear, or youth-culture-driven brands is advantageous.
• Exposure to high-profile brand collaborations, product launches, and influencer-driven campaigns.
• Working knowledge of social media, digital content creation, and culturally relevant storytelling methods.

Why Join Footasylum?

Footasylum is an established leader in UK omni-channel retail with a commitment to employee growth and satisfaction. The company encourages upward and lateral career development and provides ample training opportunities to enhance professional skills. The culture prioritizes creating a fun work environment where your achievements are critical to the company’s success, supported by effective tools and platforms to help you meet your objectives.

Diversity and Inclusion

The company values diversity highly, recognizing it as essential for incorporating varied perspectives into product and service development as well as fostering a motivated, inspired workforce with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Recruitment Process & Work Arrangement

Applications are reviewed individually. Candidates deemed suitable will be invited for an informal discussion via call or video to assess mutual fit. Footasylum supports open and honest dialogue in a collaborative atmosphere. Although the role supports hybrid working, it is not fully remote; attendance at the Greater Manchester Head Office and Studio is expected.