Digital PR Lead

Climbing Trees | Earls Colne, Colchester | Hybrid (2 days/week) | Circa £65,000

We're Climbing Trees, an independent, purpose driven digital agency doing work that genuinely matters. We've built a strong reputation across SEO, Digital PR, and Paid Media, and we're now looking for a Digital PR Lead to own and evolve our PR offering.

This is a senior, hands on role for someone who can balance creative storytelling with data driven results. You'll shape strategy, build a team, and play a central role in how Digital PR integrates with SEO and AI driven search, at an agency that genuinely cares about doing things right.

Our Mission

To do work that matters for our clients, our people, and the planet. As we grow, we're doubling down on team development and well-being, creating an environment where everyone can do the best work of their careers.

Our Values

Ethical. We lead with honesty, kindness, and integrity, always considering the wider impact of what we do.

Curious. We never stop learning, whether it's AI, SEO, or the next big trend, we're always exploring.

Caring. We genuinely care about our clients' success and take pride in work that makes a real difference.

Client-focused. We build lasting partnerships with clients who share our values and trust us to deliver.

The Role

As Digital PR Lead, you'll own the agency's Digital PR strategy from end to end, setting the vision, leading client accounts, building journalist relationships, and ensuring every campaign delivers measurable results. You'll work closely with our SEO and Content teams to create genuinely integrated work, and you'll have the opportunity to build and lead a PR team as the function scales.

This is a role where creativity and commercial thinking go hand in hand, and where the work you produce will be seen, covered, and linked to.

What You'll Be Doing

Leadership & Team Development

• Own and lead the agency's Digital PR strategy, roadmap, and function, working closely with SEO, Content, and Leadership.
• Set and uphold standards for outreach quality, journalist engagement, campaign ideation, and reporting.
• Champion best practices across Digital PR, SEO, and AI driven search visibility.
• Build, develop, and mentor a growing Digital PR team as the function scales.

Client Strategy & Growth

• Manage and grow senior client relationships across a portfolio of key accounts.
• Act as a trusted strategic advisor, leading client communications, strategy calls, and performance reviews.
• Spot and develop opportunities to grow client accounts through PR led strategy and innovation.
• Lead Digital PR strategy and presentation in new business pitches.

Digital PR Strategy & Delivery

• Develop and execute proactive and reactive Digital PR campaigns across a range of industries.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with journalists, editors, and media contacts, personally handling top tier opportunities.
• Lead campaign ideation, storytelling, and content creation: press releases, data-led stories, thought leadership, and reactive comment pieces.
• Oversee the creation of campaign assets, infographics, data visualisations, briefing designers where needed.
• Monitor inbound journalist requests via ResponseSource, #JournoRequest, and similar platforms, turning reactive opportunities into coverage.

SEO, Data & Performance

• Ensure all Digital PR activity is tightly aligned with SEO objectives and organic growth goals.
• Analyse and report on campaign performance using Ahrefs, GA4, and Google Search Console, translating insight into action.
• Own reporting on link quality, relevance, and authority in line with client business objectives.
• Monitor competitor PR strategies to identify gaps and emerging opportunities.

AI, Innovation & Thought Leadership

• Stay at the forefront of AI, LLMs, and generative search, and adapt Digital PR strategy accordingly.
• Help maximise brand visibility and authority in AI-driven search environments.
• Be a visible, engaged voice for the agency: sharing insights on LinkedIn, contributing to talks or webinars, and raising Climbing Trees' profile in the industry.

About You

You're an experienced Digital PR professional with a track record of campaigns that actually land, links, coverage, and measurable results. You think creatively, work fast on reactive opportunities, and know how to build the kind of journalist relationships that don't just deliver one hit.

You're confident leading senior client relationships, comfortable talking strategy with the C-suite, and commercially aware enough to spot where PR can drive real growth. You're curious about where search and media discovery are heading, and you want to be part of shaping that.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in Digital PR or earned media, ideally within a digital marketing or SEO led agency
• Strong track record of delivering high impact PR campaigns that drive links, authority, and measurable results
• Established relationships with journalists and editors across relevant publications
• Confident leading senior client relationships and strategic conversations
• Experience managing performance against client KPIs and SLAs
• Commercially aware, with experience supporting account growth or new business activity
• A clear, confident communicator with strong written and storytelling skills
• Curiosity about AI and how search and media discovery are evolving

Desirable

• Experience integrating Digital PR with SEO strategy
• Familiarity with Ahrefs, GA4, Google Search Console, ResponseSource
• Experience line managing or mentoring a PR team
• Thought leadership through speaking, writing, or industry participation
• Experience working with purpose-driven brands or B Corp organisations

Why Join Us?

You'll join a team that cares about the work, about each other, and about impact. You'll have ownership of a senior, high impact function, close collaboration with SEO and Content teams, and genuine space to build something you're proud of.

• Real ownership of the Digital PR function from day one
• Opportunity to shape how Digital PR integrates with SEO and AI-driven search
• Strong collaboration across SEO, Content, and Leadership teams
• Space to build, lead, and mentor a growing PR team

Perks & Benefits

• Private healthcare and well-being support
• 3:30pm Friday finishes, every week, without guilt
• Hybrid working (2 days/week in our Earls Colne office)
• Tailored training and development plan
• Volunteering days for causes you care about
• Annual team trips and socials
• Emergency loan and support when life throws curveballs
• Sabbatical after 10 years, because loyalty should be recognised

If you're excited by the idea of doing high-quality digital PR with purpose and integrity behind it, we'd love to hear from you.