Communications Manager - Corporate

Leonardo is looking for a strong writer with an interest in defence, technology, and national and international politics to join our UK Communications team. In the UK, nearly 10,000 people work for Leonardo at nine sites around the country. We’re the second largest supplier of defence equipment to the UK Ministry of Defence and we contribute £2.5Bn to UK GDP annually. That makes us a strategic part of the UK’s defence industrial landscape, providing capabilities as diverse as military helicopters, fighter jet sensor systems, and cyber security services. We are proud to support our service personnel and help keep them safe.

As a member of the UK Communications team, you will play a major role in how the business and its products are perceived by our audiences. We are a small team with a strategic impact and plenty to do, which we deliver through having a friendly and supportive culture where we all pitch in. You can expect this role to be interesting, varied, and fulfilling. You will have a good deal of autonomy to deliver results in the way that suits you best, including day-to-day organisation and location. Travel to Leonardo sites around the country should be expected.

Writing and relationship-building are the two primary skills we need for this role. Relationship building to gain insight and access into the business in order to tease out and build eye-catching stories. Then writing skills to translate these into copy that is ready for use across external and internal channels (with a dash of diplomacy to get them over the line in the face of sometimes-competing interests). The role involves a high degree of collaboration across the business, both within the UK and internationally, to ensure that communications campaigns are closely aligned with our UK divisions, with our cross-UK narratives, and with Leonardo’s head office in Rome.

• Support the Leonardo UK Chair and CEO with narrative and messaging, including speechwriting, researching, and drafting thought leadership pieces, op-eds, etc.
• Establish and manage an editorial calendar for Leonardo UK corporate: drafting, editing, and agreeing a steady stream of relevant content.
• Releasing across Leonardo channels in collaboration with channel specialists (media, digital, etc.).
• Act as point of contact into the wider UK Communications team for the Digital Solutions team, to communicate the corporate narrative in the areas of ‘digital transformation’ and ‘integration for information advantage’.
• Act as point of contact into the wider UK Communications team for the Capability team, to communicate the corporate narrative in the areas of ‘research and innovation’ and ‘UK sovereign capability’.
• Lead integrated communications campaigns for the above, acting as IPT lead: Bring together specialists from across the team (e.g., media, digital, brand) to deliver multi-channel campaigns.
• Advise on narrative and messages, drawing out business needs and audiences to ensure communications output is effective.
• Draft and manage the clearance process for relevant media announcements, then sell-in to appropriate specialist publications.
• Organise and attend media events where relevant.
• Where stories are strong enough to warrant national coverage, work with communications leadership team to develop and place these stories in national media.
• Lead integrated communications campaigns, as above, for divisional campaigns, where required.
• Support the promotion of Leonardo Group milestones, including financial results, joint ventures, industrial plan announcements, etc., across relevant channels.
• Maintain relationships with senior figures across the business, reporting and creating a vital network through which to maintain a flow of information.

You must be eligible for full security clearance. For more information and guidance please visit: Security Vetting Clearance Levels.

With a company-funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

• Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part-time opportunities, please talk to us.

• Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance).

• 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year.

• Award-winning pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution).

• Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support, and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing, and Ethnicity).

• Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme.

• Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera and Linkedin Learning.

• You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member.

• Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below.

For a full list of our company benefits, please visit our website. Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 8,000 are based at 8 sites throughout the UK. At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people’s full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe, and have a sense of belonging and connection. This is a great opportunity to bring your talents and form an integral part of Leonardo’s future. We can help you develop your skills and offer great opportunities to develop and grow, so why not join us?