- Salary: £44,500 - £52,500 p/a
- Job Type: Full-time
- Location: Cardiff - minimum 2 days a week in the office
- Closing Date: 20/02/2026
Job Opportunity
Director of PR and Earned Media
Key things to know
The role
As Director of PR & Earned Media, you will lead Cowshed’s earned media function, shaping the stories, strategies, and media moments that put our clients – and our agency – at the heart of the national conversation. You’ll head up the PR & Media team, providing leadership, development, and rigorous quality control, while also acting as a senior member of our Insights & Strategy team.
You’ll develop and deliver bespoke PR and earned media strategies across a wide range of clients and sectors. From spotting story angles at 100 paces to building relationships with journalists, influencers, and thought leaders, you’ll ensure our work achieves world-class coverage and meaningful impact.
Your role will involve managing crisis communications, crafting compelling content, identifying reactive opportunities, and supporting the planning and execution of media moments and events. You’ll also be responsible for overseeing daily news and social trend reports, ensuring the wider team is informed, agile, and ready to respond.
Working under the Head of Audience Insights and Strategy, and alongside the wider Insights & Strategy team, you’ll help shape multi-channel campaign plans rooted in audience insight and cultural relevance. You’ll also play a key role in developing Cowshed’s own media presence, thought leadership, and industry profile.
You’ll be curious, commercially minded, and energised by doing things differently. You’ll thrive in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment and contribute to a culture where creativity, inclusivity, and impact come first.
Cowshed is a Real Living Wage employer, a Disability Confident Employer, and an Autism Aware Business. We strive to be culturally competent in all aspects of our work and work environment and are proud participants in Diverse Cymru’s cultural competency scheme. We actively encourage candidates from under-represented and diverse backgrounds to apply.
If you need any assistance with your application, please contact us and we can make suitable adjustments.
Please apply by 5pm on 20th February to fiona@wearecowshed.co.uk.
Send your CV and answer these two questions in whichever format you choose:
Q1. Why are you applying for this role?
Q2. Please outline your experience against the core skills, including relevant examples.
Please keep written responses to 500 words per question and video or audio applications to under 2 minutes.
What we need from you
The Day to Day
Leading, developing, and supporting the PR & Media team, including direct line management of the Senior PR Officer.
Acting as a senior member of the Insights & Strategy team, contributing to multi-channel planning and earned media strategy.
Developing bespoke PR and earned media strategies aligned to client objectives and audience needs.
Identifying story angles, crafting key messages, and selecting the most effective media outlets.
Building and maintaining strong relationships with journalists, editors, influencers, and thought leaders.
Managing crisis communications, issues management, and brand reputation for clients.
Writing press releases, talking points, speeches, pitches, and thought leadership content.
Supporting the planning and delivery of events, press moments, and media opportunities.
Overseeing a daily news and social trends report by 09:30 to inform reactive PR opportunities.
Overseeing Cowshed’s media relations and social outputs, including thought leadership and new business stories.
Supporting community management of Cowshed channels, including occasional evening and weekend monitoring.
Using analytics, data, and evaluation tools to track coverage, measure impact, and refine strategies.
Ensuring rigorous quality control across all PR & Media outputs.
Championing diversity across campaigns, media contacts, and team culture.
Key Responsibilities
End-to-end responsibility for earned media strategy and delivery across a portfolio of clients.
Leading the PR & Media team to ensure efficient, effective, and high-quality work.
Contributing to multi-channel campaign planning within the Insights & Strategy team.
Developing new opportunities for the PR & Media function and growing your own client portfolio.
Maintaining and expanding Cowshed’s media contact network.
Managing crisis communications and providing strategic guidance to clients.
Supporting the development of Cowshed’s own media presence and thought leadership.
Ensuring accurate evaluation of PR and earned media activity using industry tools and analytics.
Promoting a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and shared learning across the agency.
Core Skills
All applicants who demonstrate the core skills listed will be invited for interview.
Proven leadership experience with the ability to grow and develop a team.
Deep understanding of earned media, the UK media landscape, and social trends.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to persuade, influence, and present confidently.
Skilled in writing press releases, speeches, talking points, pitches, and other communications materials.
Strong media relations experience, with the ability to identify and engage the right contacts.
Ability to analyse complex issues, identify trends, and develop insight-led strategies.
Experience using analytics and evaluation tools to measure PR performance.
Strong organisational and account management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects.
Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure.
Skilled in content capture and basic social editing.
Keen eye for detail and commitment to quality control.
Personal Attitude
We’re looking for someone who shares our purpose to work with meaning.
You will care about creating a positive impact on society
You will be self-motivated, dedicated, and curious
You’ll take responsibility for getting the job done for your clients
You’ll contribute to our inclusive work culture
You’ll regularly contribute to meetings
You’ll enjoy creative problem solving to generate ideas for your clients and Cowshed
You’ll be honest and expected to be treated professionally and with respect, treating others in the same way