At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications, manage media relations, and create engaging content for London Gatwick Airport.
- Company: Join London Gatwick Airport, a dynamic hub in aviation, shaping the future of travel.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, share scheme, and flexible working options with airside perks.
- Why this job: Be part of a high-performing team driving innovation and excellence in communications.
- Qualifications: Must have a qualification in communications or equivalent experience, with strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Work conveniently located just 30 minutes from central London, with various transport options.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Circa £100,000 + £12,000 flex allowance + up to 40% bonus + benefits.
Role purpose: Are you a strategic communications leader with a passion for aviation? London Gatwick Airport is seeking a Head of Communications to lead our media, internal communications, and corporate digital communications. This pivotal role will shape and implement our communications strategy, manage our corporate website and social media, and produce engaging content. You will also be responsible for reporting, evaluation, and driving innovation within our Communications and External Affairs function.
Key Deliverables:
- Lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy that includes media relations, digital, corporate social media, and internal communications.
- Ensure the strategy informs and engages employees across all functions, building trust, motivating great performance, and enabling them to be positive advocates for London Gatwick.
- Provide expert guidance and training to the Executive team and senior leaders on media, internal, and digital communications.
- Set the direction for the evolution of London Gatwick's corporate website and digital/social media strategy over the next 2-3 years.
- Develop the communications team to be consistently high-performing and recognized as a centre of expertise within London Gatwick and the wider Vinci network.
- Foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within the team.
- As a core member of the on-call/incident response team, lead on and support the delivery of issues and crisis communications in line with agreed procedures.
- Establish strong relationships with relevant investor teams, and leverage available tools and resources.
Experience we are looking for:
- A formal qualification in communications or a related field, or equivalent professional experience, is essential.
- Demonstrated success in a strategic/internal communications and digital role within a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Experience as a trusted partner for senior executives is crucial.
- Experience in Large-Scale Change and Transformation Communications.
- Proven ability to direct and manage communications during significant organizational changes, including formal consultations.
- Strong Leadership Skills.
- Proven track record of successfully managing and developing high-performing teams.
- Extensive experience in crisis preparedness and management, including interactions with external bodies such as regulators.
- Proven strong Interpersonal and Influencing Skills.
- Exceptional ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internally and externally.
Personal attributes and qualities to be successful in this role:
- You are reliable and can be counted on to deliver on promises, earning the trust of colleagues and stakeholders.
- You take initiative and think outside the box to develop innovative solutions and strategies.
- You excel at managing multiple tasks and projects, breaking down complex issues into manageable parts.
- You are dedicated to achieving excellence and encourage others to strive for high performance.
- You remain composed and effective under pressure, managing tight deadlines with ease.
- You build strong relationships and partnerships across functions, listening and engaging effectively with others.
- High ethics and integrity and advocate for DEI.
What’s in it for you? We value our people and reward the knowledge and expertise you bring with a highly competitive package, enhanced by an annual bonus, share scheme, pension, and lifestyle insurance. Not to mention all the airside perks! At London Gatwick we’re also very well connected, just 30 minutes from central London and directly linked to over 100 towns and cities. Whether you prefer to travel by bicycle, electric car, or train, we aim to make your journey to work as convenient and cost-effective as possible.
Whatever your interests and ambitions, wherever you want your journey to take you, London Gatwick could be the place where your career really does… well… take off.
Click Apply Now to begin your journey, your way with London Gatwick. Closing date for applications is 6th May. Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the application process please contact us directly.
Head of Communications employer: Gatwick Airport Limited
Contact Detail:
Gatwick Airport Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Communications
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in aviation communications. Understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in this sector will help you demonstrate your passion and strategic thinking during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the aviation industry, especially those in communications roles. Attend relevant events or webinars to build connections and gain insights that could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed communications during organisational changes. Highlighting your experience in crisis management will show your capability to handle high-pressure situations effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research London Gatwick Airport's current communications strategy and recent initiatives. Being able to speak knowledgeably about their approach will demonstrate your genuine interest and readiness to contribute from day one.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Communications
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in strategic communications, media relations, and digital communications. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to manage high-performing teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for aviation and how your background aligns with the role's requirements. Mention your experience in crisis communications and your ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your previous roles, focus on quantifiable achievements. For instance, discuss how you successfully implemented a communications strategy or led a team through significant organisational change.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your experience with large-scale change communications and your approach to crisis management. Be ready to provide examples of how you've navigated challenges in past roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gatwick Airport Limited
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As a Head of Communications, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to create and implement a comprehensive communications strategy. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences where you've successfully led similar initiatives, focusing on how you engaged employees and built trust within the organisation.
✨Highlight Crisis Management Experience
Given the importance of crisis communications in this role, share specific examples of how you've managed communications during significant organisational changes or crises. Discuss the strategies you employed and the outcomes achieved to showcase your expertise in this area.
✨Emphasise Leadership Skills
This position requires strong leadership capabilities. Be ready to talk about your experience in developing high-performing teams and how you've fostered a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Highlight any training or mentoring you've provided to senior leaders.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
Building strong relationships with diverse stakeholders is key for this role. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively engaged with various internal and external parties in the past, and provide examples of how these relationships have positively impacted your communications efforts.