A job with Merlin isn’t like a job anywhere else. With attractions around the world, from rollercoasters to wax figures, we don’t trade in suits, handshakes or briefcases. We trade in fun. In smiles, shrieks and spine-tingles. In Memories. In magic. But there are no tricks behind our magic. Instead, there are people like you. Passionate, dedicated people who are committed to making sure our worldwide attractions and guests’ experiences are the best they can be.

Due to continuing growth and development of Merlin’s attractions and brands on a global scale, we are looking for a Senior Communications Manager to join our marketing department on a full time basis. The role will be based at our Alton Towers office, with a hybrid element for those looking for more flexibility

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver Local Strategy: Adapt and implement the corporate affairs strategy for Alton Towers, ensuring alignment with Resort priorities and broader corporate initiatives.

• Collaborative Communication: Contribute to UK-wide communications efforts, recognising Alton Towers’ key role within Merlin’s UK portfolio. Support activities at other Merlin sites when needed.

• Effective Planning: Develop and deliver a tailored communications plan for Alton Towers.

• Public Relations: Lead the creation and execution of engaging PR campaigns, aligned with national park strategies and the Alton Towers marketing plan.

• Crisis & Issues Management: Manage crisis communications, following agreed protocols and collaborating with the UK Communications Director. Participate in the UK-wide out-of-hours on-call rota.

• Agency Coordination: Oversee agency contributions, ideally through joint commissioning with other attractions, in line with UK Communications direction.

• Media Relations: Build and maintain strong media relationships. Manage press enquiries professionally, aligning with global messaging as appropriate.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Support the Divisional Director in engaging key local stakeholders and highlighting Alton Towers’ positive community impact.

• Internal Communications: Assist in rolling out global internal comms, ensuring local relevance, in collaboration with UK and Global Internal Communications leaders.

• Proven years experience working in key roles relating to communications, with a demonstrable track record of proactively engaging with the media to manage an organisation’s response to issues of public / stakeholder interest.
• Proven experience in responding effectively to crisis and issue management, and proactively mitigating risks through meticulous planning.
• Have the confidence and experience to engage with stakeholders internally and externally, being able to undertake meaningful dialogue and manage such relationships as necessary.
• A track record of working in a busy and high-profile public-facing work environment, recognising that information and statements placed into the public domain have the potential to be closely scrutinised and subject to critical interpretation, and therefore must be carefully drafted with all such possibilities in mind.

We’re growing fast and alongside a fun and friendly environment, we offer a fabulous package and amazing prospects – ideal if you’re already fantastic and want to become even better (our magic can help here). Benefits include Pension, Life Assurance, discretionary company bonus, 28/33 days’ holiday including bank holidays, a Merlin Magic Pass which gives you and your friends and family free admission to all of our attractions worldwide, an Enjoy the Ride pass which entitles you and 5 loved ones unlimited entry into your regional attractions, 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants and 40% discount on LEGO, plus lots more!.