Job Description

One of the best-known names in cruising, Cunard is the world’s leading international premium cruise line, carrying millions of guests each year to hundreds of destinations around the globe. With parent company Carnival Corporation, Cunard is well known for its White Star Service and Trans-Atlantic Crossings.  

This position is for Specialist, Public Relations reporting directly to the Director of Public Relations and is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of media relations programs, activations and PR initiatives that generate positive awareness and publicity for the Cunard brand across consumer and trade audiences in North America. 

The Specialist supports the Director of Public Relations on all facets of the business and is responsible for supporting the development and execution of the annual communications calendar, including proactive storytelling, media experiences, PR activations, special events and internal communications. 

The Specialist is responsible for supporting Cunard PR on all facets of media relations, including acting as a key liaison with media and related queries, writing and responding to media queries, drafting and issuing press releases, driving news distribution, monitoring, reporting and measurement and hosting Press Familiarizations.

The Specialist will act as day-to-day contact for media sailing on board and may also host Press FAM trips onboard the Cunard Fleet. The Specialist creates all overview communications, VIP Commends documents for the ship and travel arrangements, and ensure they are accurately delivered to media, agencies, shoreside and shipboard colleagues.   

This role requires an ability to balance multiple projects at any given time, which often include travel, and feature initiatives with complex layers and logistics, many different teams – local, regional, national and international – and sensitivities in the realm of dealing with high profile personalities and events. The Specialist should be able to easily pivot as need, while still meeting key deadlines and driving projects forward. The Specialist also collaborates with other North America Cunard departments: Marketing, Customer Service, Sales and Revenue Management. Specialist also supports Director in working with outside vendors, PR firms and consultants as relevant. 

Here’s a summary of what Cunard is looking for in a Specialist, Public Relations. Is this you? 

Responsibilities:

PR, Communications & Media Relations

• Supports an integrated public relations program to drive brand awareness and relevant media coverage, maintain strategic relationships with press and external influencers.

• Write press releases, fact sheets, talking points, Q&As and other materials to support media and interview needs.

• Manages distribution of press releases via wire distribution

• Collaborates with internal Cunard departments and PR agency on crafting and delivering key brand messages. 

• Work closely and collaboratively with UK and North America Cunard stakeholders including Marketing, Brand, Customer Service, Guest Experience, Revenue Management, Sales, etc. and to develop and execute ideas and campaigns. 

• Ongoing media pitching to secure coverage for news announcements, proactive storytelling opportunities, and interviews with key executives. 

• Works with Director on reactive media query responses for fact and photo requests, articles, executive interviews with input from Director and PR agency (as relevant).

• Manage ongoing team action plan and yearly planning calendar working with the Director and PR agency including timelines and tracking for all PR activity, events, ship visits, photo and film shoots to ensure key milestones are met. 

• Keep abreast of changes to the media marketplace, ensuring Cunard capitalize on opportunities that may arise

• Manage ongoing press familiarizations for media, content creators and partners, among others, onboard the Cunard Fleet including coordinating travel logistics, managing media requests and working with Special Events Manager to inform the global guest experience and shipboard teams.

• Guides shipboard visitors on process, procedures, and security protocol guidelines

• Creates all overview communications, VIP Commends and travel arrangements and ensure they are accurately delivered to media, agencies, shoreside and shipboard colleagues.   

• Responsible for frequently updating and adding to media contact list.

• supports content development for media use, including but not limited to creative assets, fact sheets, still images and b-roll.

PR Activation/Event/Partnership Management & Support

• Collaborates with Director, Special Events Manager and various internal stakeholders to support the execution PR activations and events that reinforce the objectives of the brand.

• Serve as liaison with media, in partnership with PR agency, in preparation for PR events and activations 

• Leverages brand partnerships for PR storytelling that elevate the image of the brand.

• Work alongside Director and Special events manager to execute any PR content shoots on board for still images, b-roll and other assets. 

• Work alongside Director and Special Events manager to execute media filming opportunities on board for TV programs, content creators, etc.

• Works with Director to identify, vet, analyze, and coordinate strategic, high visibility sponsorship and/or brand relationship opportunities to support PR objectives, strengthen storytelling opportunities, and provide positive halo effect awareness for the brand.

• Manages day-to-day aspects of these relationships alongside Director including interfacing with external partners, vendors, cross department and Head Office Shoreside colleagues and identifies key integration opportunities.

• Works with Director and Special Events Manager to bring events, both shipboard and shoreside, to life to support PR activations. 

• Works alongside Director and Special Events Manager to create and maintain planning documents and wrap-up reports to plan for and report metrics resulting from PR-driven activations.

Reporting & Measurement

• Maintain accuracy and efficiency of internal media coverage tracking system

• Develop bi-weekly coverage summaries for internal distribution

• Develop monthly, mid-year and full-year coverage reports to measure success against objectives.

• Develop campaign-specific reports including PR metrics and work with cross-functional stakeholders on additional marketing, tracking and event metrics to demonstrate ROI.

• Work with external and internal partners to gather and report on metrics for any paid media activity, partnerships, content creator work, etc.

Administration 

• Support tracking NAM PR teams G&A budget and review monthly with Director to ensure cost control. 

• Ensure budgets are accounted for PR activations, press familiarizations and individual press travel. 

• Reviews invoices for accuracy, submits and codes invoices for payment, routes to Director for additional review/approval

• Set up new vendors in Accounts Payable system

• Reviews and promptly responds to daily correspondence re miscellaneous topics, i.e., media queries, sponsorship opportunities, interview requests, voyage donation solicitations, sales requests, etc.

• Book travel for media and partners as needed to support PR activity.

• Ensures adherence to legal requirements of all PR activity.

• Actively participates in and attends weekly, monthly, and quarterly meetings/conference calls as needed

• Undertakes ad hoc duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Minimum Skills

• Outstanding interpersonal skills – written and verbal – are required to communicate with senior management, other departments, agencies, shoreside and shipboard colleagues

• Strong ability to craft – at times on short notice – various written materials including copy, press releases, social media copy, marketing and sales copy, and crisis communications statements/verbiage

• Proven track record of managing simultaneous, multiple and often high-profile complex events and initiatives from inception to completion

• Very strong analytical skills with ability to proactively present and resolve complex issues and results

• Experience in media relations and social media, event planning, partnership relationships

• Creative thinker and problem solver with big activations and day-to-day efforts to work smarter

• Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and on a high-performing team. Capable of managing and meeting multiple, overlapping deadlines

• Outstanding writing (with an emphasis on AP style), editing and presentation skills, with an ability to adapt messaging and content for a variety of audiences

• Experience in evaluating and executing proactive media pitching, responding to media inquiries, coordinating interview opportunities and managing partnership initiatives

• Experience managing and coordinating Press familiarization visits, including, vetting, coordinating logistics and working with multiple external constituents to deliver an outstanding media experience

• Experience in PR reporting and measurement, leveraging monitoring/analytics software and tools to tell an impactful story

• Day-to-day budget and vendor management experience

Technology skills

• Experience with AI-based tools to work more efficiently and creatively 

• Ease and agility with social media platforms and related trends/technology

• Microsoft Office

• PPT/presentation programs

• Adobe

Leadership, engagement, collaboration and other necessary skills

• Highly motivated, independent thinker and generator of on-brand, strategic partnership and PR opportunities; strong ability to vet complex details and minutia of such opportunities

• Outstanding time management skills – track record of managing daily multiple projects ability to prioritize changing action items

• Enthusiasm for travel and travel/cruise industry; availability to travel regularly – including outside of regular work hours – to be key point person for special events and host of Press FAMs

• Respond to time-sensitive matters such as crisis communications management and deployment, the necessity to issue press and social media communications, project management leading up to special events, and other situations which may arise on a global basis

• Natural ability to build and maintain relationships

• Outstanding work ethic

• Team player

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or related field.

• 2-4 years of experience in public relations or internal/external communications in either a corporate setting or agency. Successful track record of independently handling multiple and complex PR programs and initiatives.

Travel:  Less than 25% with shipboard travel likely

Work Conditions: Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

Physical Demands: Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.

This position is classified as “in-office.”  As an in-office role, it requires employees to work from a designated Cunard office Monday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their homes on Fridays.

Benefits

• Cruise and Travel Privileges for You and Your Family 
• Health Benefits 
• 401(k)  
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan  
• Training & Professional Development 
• Tuition & Professional Certification Reimbursement 

Our Culture… Stronger Together

Our highest responsibilities and top priorities are compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in the communities we touch and serve, and our shipboard and shoreside employees. Please visit our site to learn more about our Culture Essentials, Corporate Vision Statement and our Core Values at:  
https://www.princess.com/aboutus/culture-framework/. 

Princess/Cunard is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Princess will provide reasonable accommodations with the application process, upon your request, as required to comply with applicable laws.  If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please contact careers@carnival.com.  

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