the ideal candidate:

• A strategic story teller who has a natural way with words
• A strong list of media contacts and if you don’t know the right person, you know someone who does
• Understands trade, consumer, short, medium and long leads
• 5+ years experience in PR desired
• Detail focused
• Results driven 
• Looking to work 3 days per week 

about us: 

itsu is the healthy eating, Asian inspired quick service retail & grocery brand with over 70 stores in the UK and a leading grocery business across Europe and beyond. Renowned for its best-in-class food made fresh in every shop every day, itsu has huge global ambitions with a commitment to continue to open many more stores and intensify the growth of its already thriving grocery arm. With its best-is-class healthy food, latest technology, innovation, and talented workforce, itsu is the future of fast food.

D&I statement: 

itsu [grocery] is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation. We encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply for all of our opportunities.

When applying for a role with us, please remove your: full name, name of University/School, address, email address and any photos of you on your CV and covering letter. non-anonymised CVs may not be reviewed. 

Scope of the role:

The Head of External Comms is responsible for the strategic and day to day external communication of the itsu brand including the retail and grocery businesses, as well as our founder Julian Metcalfe 

• Management of comms plan; working with group, restaurant and grocery teams to develop and deliver the 2025 external comms strategy
• Identify content and produce and publish as necessary 
• Management of media relations; keeping key trade and consumer media contacts informed of itsu news, promote itsu’s involvement in wider conversations where relevant and ensure itsu enagegd in wider relevant conversations [journalists, podcasters, radio hosts etc]
• Tracking and reporting campaigns; reviewing external coverage vs the 2025 plan 

what we offer:

• Competitive salary
• 25 days holiday [FTE] + bank holidays  (two bank holidays are interchangeable for other religious holidays)
• Company pension scheme
• Hybrid working [1 day wfh]
• Opportunity to work from home abroad 
• 50% employee discount in itsu shops
• Free itsu lunch 
• Discounts at major retailers