Communications Manager

About IRIS IRIS Software Group is one of the UK's largest privately held software companies, trusted by 100,000+ businesses, schools and accountancy firms to keep their operations running. Our software pays 1 in 6 UK employees, supports over 12,000 schools, and is relied on by 91 of the top 100 UK accountancy firms. We're a Great Place to Work® certified employer, recognised for our commitment to well-being, inclusion and development - and we're growing fast. Overview The PR & Communications Manager will shape how IRIS is seen and understood in the US market, building visibility across the accounting, payroll and HR sectors. This is a hands-on role combining strategy and execution. You will lead the US media agenda, build relationships with priority journalists and turn IRIS’ expertise, customer evidence and innovation into earned coverage, executive visibility and credible industry commentary. You will also help connect our PR programme with IRIS’ wider AI and AEO strategy, ensuring our stories, spokespeople and proof points strengthen how the business appears across both traditional media and AI-powered search and discovery. Reporting to the Director, Global Communications & Brand, you will work closely with Communications, Product Marketing, Demand Generation, sector leaders and US agency partners. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape IRIS’ presence in the US at a pivotal moment of growth, as we continue to scale our impact, strengthen our reputation and build a truly standout voice in the market. Key Responsibilities US PR and media relations: Build and lead the US PR programme, developing relationships with priority business, technology and trade media across accounting, payroll and HR. Create a strong pipeline of proactive stories, data-led angles and reactive commentary that grows IRIS’ visibility and share of voice, while identifying opportunities for global storytelling that can be amplified across other markets. AI visibility: Align PR activity with IRIS’ wider AEO and AI visibility strategy, ensuring our stories, expertise and proof points strengthen how IRIS is represented across traditional media, search and AI-powered discovery. Sector and stakeholder engagement: Partner with Accounting, Payroll and HR leaders to uncover newsworthy stories from across our products, customers and markets. Act as a trusted adviser, helping stakeholders identify and seize opportunities to raise IRIS’ profile. Executive visibility and thought leadership: Develop and deliver thought leadership and executive communications that build the profile of IRIS leaders and experts in the US, including bylines, commentary, speaking opportunities, awards and media interviews. Prepare spokespeople with briefings, messaging and coaching so they are confident and on-message. Crisis and issues management: Support crisis and issues communications as needed, including monitoring, rapid-response planning, holding statements and reactive media handling. Work with the wider Communications team and legal, security and sector leaders to protect IRIS' reputation and respond quickly and consistently when issues arise. Narrative and message consistency: Keep US earned media and stakeholder communications aligned to the IRIS brand narrative, messaging framework and tone of voice, so that what IRIS says in the press, on stage and in commentary tells one consistent story across markets and sectors. Agency and partner management: Manage US PR agency partners day to day, setting priorities, briefing work, reviewing outputs and holding them to a clear performance and quality bar so agency effort translates into results that matter to the business. Analyst and influencer awareness: Support relationships with relevant industry analysts, associations and influential voices in the accounting, payroll and HR communities, coordinating with the wider team so IRIS is represented consistently across earned and influencer channels. Measurement and reporting: Track, measure and report on the impact of PR activity, including coverage volume and quality, share of voice, message pull-through and spokesperson visibility, and use those insights to steer where PR effort is invested so impact is evidenced rather than assumed. Requirements 5+ years in PR, media relations or corporate communications, ideally in-house or agency-side supporting B2B technology, SaaS or professional services. A strong working knowledge of the US media landscape and proven relationships with, or the ability to quickly build relationships with, trade, business and technology journalists. Demonstrable experience securing high-quality earned coverage and growing share of voice, from developing the angle through to landing the story. The ability to translate complex or technical subjects, including AI, into clear, credible, jargon-free stories that resonate with buyers and the media. Experience communicating an AI or emerging-technology narrative is a strong advantage. Experience supporting crisis and issues communications, with the judgement and composure to help handle sensitive situations calmly and quickly. Excellent writing and editing, with the judgement to set a quality bar and hold agencies and partners to it. Familiarity with the accounting, payroll and/or HR sectors, or a track record of getting up to speed quickly in specialist B2B markets. Experience managing PR agencies or external partners, briefing work and holding them accountable for results. Strong cross-functional and stakeholder skills. This role leads through relationships, influence and clear standards rather than direct reports. Comfort with PR measurement, media monitoring and reporting tools, and the ability to connect activity to outcomes the business cares about. Experience in a PE-backed, high-growth or fast-moving B2B environment is an advantage. Why You’ll Love Working Here Impact: Your work will influence millions globally. Growth: Continuous learning and career development opportunities. Belonging: A culture that celebrates diversity and empowers every individual. Ready to Apply? Click Apply - we’re excited to learn about your unique perspective and experience. If you need adjustments during the process, let us know. We’re committed to making this opportunity accessible to everyone. What to expect from our hiring process Our process is designed to be fair, transparent and straightforward. Stages vary depending on the role — more senior positions may involve additional steps, and some areas include role-specific assessments such as a technical test or case study — but typically you can expect: Application review — we assess your experience and potential Initial call — a short conversation to learn about you and share more about the role Skills assessment — tailored to the position, e.g. case study, coding challenge or portfolio review Final interview — meet the team and explore how you'll make an IMPACT at IRIS We'll always walk you through the specific stages at the start of the process so you can prepare with confidence. If you need any adjustments or accommodations during the process, let us know, we’re committed to making this experience accessible for everyone.