For as long as she can remember, Pennsylvania Castle has always loomed large in Kiya Vaughan’s life. But she never could have dreamed the historic estate would play such a big role in building her marketing career.
Kiya Vaughan
Marketing & Sales Manager
Pennsylvania Castle Estate, UK
I’ve lived on the island of Portland my entire life and have always been aware of Pennsylvania Castle, its history, and the important role it plays within the community. After studying travel and tourism at college, I developed an interest in working with venues and accommodation providers that create memorable experiences for their guests. I then spent eight years in customer service, which gave me valuable insight into social media and audience engagement. When I saw that The Penn Estate was recruiting for a Marketing Co-ordinator, I felt it was the perfect opportunity to pursue a new career path right on my doorstep.
Although I didn’t have direct marketing experience when I joined, the team recognised the value of my connection to Portland and believed that my passion for the island could be channelled into the role. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to develop my skills through the Chartered Institute of Marketing, applying what I learn directly to my day-to-day responsibilities.
In this role, I look after everything that helps us get seen and booked by potential guests. From social media, paid ads (with the support of the lovely team in Australia), and press coverage, to working with agents and exploring the world of influencers, my job is to make sure our brand shines and that we’re well-known as the luxury, event-led estate we have worked hard to build over the years. I also play a big part in making sure the rest of the team is aligned with our strategic goals and values, which is important in ensuring we are all working together towards the same objectives.
Working at the estate has given me valuable marketing knowledge, practical skills, and a genuine passion for encouraging people to see the beauty of what we have to offer. Through both my studies and hands-on experience, I’ve developed professionally in areas like content creation, planning, and understanding how marketing supports wider business goals.
Personally, I’ve gained a great deal of confidence, from trusting my judgement to taking ownership of projects. The support of our leadership team has been a major part of that, providing encouragement, guidance, and opportunities to grow. Overall, the role has helped me build my confidence, capability, and a clear sense of direction in my career.
We are a small, close-knit team on the estate, collaborating across many areas of our work. As an event-led business, effective marketing is vital for positioning the estate as a premier destination for weddings, corporate retreats, and special celebrations. I work closely with both the events and operations teams to ensure our activities remain aligned with our shared objectives. Our supportive team culture is especially important, and it consistently ensures that everyone feels valued, happy, and encouraged—something I’ve never found lacking here.
The thing I love most about the job is seeing the results of our efforts come to life. Whether it’s a fully booked wedding season, a glowing feature in the press, or hearing guests talk about their amazing experience. It’s a great feeling knowing that what we do helps create unforgettable moments.