Job Description
Dalton Recruitment has a new and very exciting opportunity available with one of its top clients for a Head of Communications. The Head of Communications will lead the development and delivery of an integrated communications strategy across internal and external audiences for this busy UK and European transport business.
This is a senior role responsible for ensuring clear, consistent messaging that supports and strengthens corporate reputation and employee experience in line with business priorities. The role also provides strategic communications advice to leadership, aligning internal and external narratives while ensuring communications activity is focused, coordinated and effectively delivered through internal resource and agency support.
As a general rule the position will require 4 days/week in the Woking offices with one day working from home with some ad hoc flexibility. There will also be the need for some travel to their other sites which may require overnight stays although this will be minimal and with notice.
The role offers a competitive salary and package including car allowance & bonus.
This is an excellent opportunity for a communications leader who enjoys operating at both strategic and operational levels, helping to shape organisational narrative, manage reputational risk and support major business initiatives.
What you’ll be responsible for
Strategic Communications Leadership
* Leading the development and delivery of an integrated communications strategy aligned to business priorities and transformation programmes
* Acting as a senior communications advisor to leadership, providing counsel on media, reputational risk and sensitive issues
* Ensuring alignment between internal and external messaging and organisational narrative
* Representing communications perspectives in executive-level discussions where appropriate
Stakeholder Alignment
* Building strong relationships across the organisation to strengthen news flow and identify emerging issues early
* Maintaining effective collaboration with communications partners to ensure alignment and appropriate governance
* Working closely with Marketing and People teams to align brand, engagement and employer positioning activity
External Communications & Reputation
* Leading proactive external communications activity that enhances and protects corporate reputation
* Overseeing the development of thought leadership and corporate positioning through external channels
* Providing strategic oversight of corporate external channels, including website and social platforms
* Managing agency relationships to ensure support is used strategically rather than for routine delivery
* Leading issues and crisis communications planning, including escalation and governance processes
Internal Communications Oversight
* Setting direction and priorities for internal communications activity that supports employee engagement and organisational change
* Ensuring effective delivery of leadership and change communications through appropriate internal resource
* Working with People and Transformation teams to align communications supporting organisational initiatives
Team Leadership & Governance
* Leading and developing communications team resource(s), building capability and resilience within the function
* Establishing clear processes for communications planning, approvals and company comment
* Ensuring appropriate escalation and cover arrangements for communications risks and issues
What success looks like
* Protection and enhancement of corporate reputation
* Strong alignment between corporate messaging and employee communications
* Increased proactive communications activity with reduced dependency on reactive responses
* Effective performance and development of communications resources
Essential skills:
* Experience advising senior leaders and managing reputational issues
* Strong media, issues management and stakeholder communications expertise
* Experience managing agencies and communications resources
* Sound judgement when handling sensitive matters
* Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience
* Excellent written and spoken English
Desirable experience includes:
* Working in complex, regulated or high-profile environments
* Supporting large-scale change or transformation programmes
* Experience within maritime, shipping or large-scale logistics organisations
* A relevant communications qualification (e.g. CIPR) or fluency in a second language
Dalton Recruitment Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this role. We will always try to respond to all applications individually but due to the high volume we receive, this may simply not be possible. If you do not hear back from us within 5 working days, please accept our apologies but please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.