Global Communications Director Publishing (m/f/d)

The Global Communications Director Publishing (m/f/d) leads internal and external communication for Bauer Media’s Publishing Line of Business (LOB), ensuring the division is consistently positioned as a key part of the Bauer Media Group. Acting as the central "architect" of Publishing’s narrative and tone of voice, the role shapes clear, compelling messaging across markets and aligns it with the Group’s overarching story. A core focus lies in driving transformation communications, guiding organisational change, strengthening leadership impact, and ensuring clarity and confidence through trust-based collaboration with senior leaders. The role calls for a hands‑on, execution‑driven approach, translating strategy into tangible, high‑quality outputs. It requires a seasoned communications leader who brings strong judgement, presence, resilience, and the ability to inspire and guide teams with confidence and clarity.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities

• Lead the Publishing Communications team, which acts as the central “architect” of internal and external communication for the Publishing LOB.
• Ensure Publishing is clearly and consistently positioned – internally and externally – as a forward‑looking, ambitious business.
• Systematically execute and evolve the already successfully implemented governance and strategy processes, as well as the established communication formats.
• At Group level: Contribute to strengthening the internal and external perception of the entire Bauer Media Group as well as working in close collaboration across all BMG communication teams on wide‑ranging topics.
• At LOB level: Develop a coherent and targeted narrative for Publishing, highlighting compelling proof points that support and reinforce the overarching group level narrative.
• Act as the guardian of Publishing's tone of voice and messaging consistency across markets.
• Develop and implement forward‑looking transformation communications: Lead all communications related to business transformation, organisational change, and crisis communication, developing targeted messaging and engagement plans that bring people along, reduce uncertainty, and build confidence in the direction of the business.
• Regular trust‑based exchange with local CEOs and senior leaders to ensure a shared understanding and aligned communication: Act as a trusted communications advisor and mediator to the teams, providing proactive counsel on messaging, positioning, reputation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure leadership communications land with clarity and impact.
• Own the internal communications plan and its execution to ensure genuine connection, alignment, and engagement across all Publishing teams.
• Lead the creation of high‑quality content for internal communications across multiple formats, from leadership updates and town halls to digital content and campaigns, for Publishing audiences.
• Lead, develop, and inspire the Communications team, building capability within the team and creating a high‑performing function.

Job Requirements

• Extensive international leadership experience in larger matrix organisations.
• A history of broad exposure to a variety of communications functions.
• Proven ability to use communication strategies, tools and techniques to support the achievement of business objectives, in alignment with overall business strategies.
• Exceptional expertise in corporate positioning and reputation management.
• Hands‑on mentality combined with profound business acumen and a deep, well‑grounded understanding of the market and the industry.
• Many years of exceptional, forward looking transformation communication experience.
• Ideally, this includes proven experience in overseeing organisational wind‑downs or reductions.
• Highly developed ability to operate and communicate at top leadership level.
• High personal standard of excellence and a strong drive to successfully deliver on the mission.
• A trustworthy, seasoned, and resilient personality, exuding calm and inner stability.
• A highly effective internal networker and relationship builder, recognising the need to provide effective counsel based on strong relationships.
• Cultural acumen: A profound and nuanced cultural understanding of both Germany and the UK is indispensable for success in this role, as these represent the two largest publishing markets.
• Strong facilitation and mediation abilities are essential.
• A thorough understanding of print and digital media and each of their agendas, needs and priorities; plus a good sense of social media with experience of leveraging this as part of an effective communications strategy.
• Own network of strong media contacts are desirable, though not essential.
• Exceptional people management and development capabilities.
• Finally, the successful candidate will have the right level of emotional intelligence with the necessary credibility and gravitas to build strong relationships with the UK LT and other stakeholders.

Language Skills

• Business fluent in both German and English (written and spoken), additional languages are a plus.

Location

• Hamburg (Germany) or London (UK).

Start Date

• As soon as possible.

About Us

We are a media business focused on creating content that matters to millions of people across Europe. Our offering extends from print and online publishing to audio broadcasting and entertainment, alongside investments in other media related sectors. With more than 500 million copies sold each year, we are one of Europe’s largest Publishers. From women’s and celebrities’ magazines to TV listings to food and special interest, we own some of the most popular publishing brands in Germany, UK, Poland and France – both digital and print. But not only that. Reaching over 61 million listeners weekly, we operate over 150 radio and podcast brands in nine countries, spanning the UK, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Portugal. Family‑owned in the 5th generation, Bauer Media focuses on the long‑term, with a consumer‑first mindset that guides us across our diverse portfolio. Our workforce of 12,000 shares a common purpose: to deliver content and services that enrich people’s everyday lives. We want to inspire not only our customers, we also want to inspire our colleagues. How? By giving you the opportunity to take on responsibility and by offering you a long‑term perspective.

You can also benefit from our attractive offers:

• Individual solutions for the flexible organisation of working hours and location.
• Targeted and individual training for your professional and personal development.
• A central location in Hamburg’s city centre with good transport options (bus & train).
• Effective health management (e.g. health week, free sports programmes & Wellhub).
• 30 days of holiday & frequent events for employees.
• Company restaurant, free magazines & various discounts via corporate benefits.
• A culture in which personal responsibility, teamwork and creativity are valued and you have room for creativity and for exciting and challenging tasks.

If you are looking for an independent position and would like to enrich our existing team with fresh impulses, we look forward to receiving your complete application documents.

Your contact for this position is Kieron (Freigang). We are an international employer and equal opportunities are important to us. That’s why we welcome everyone in their uniqueness, regardless of e.g. religion, gender, skin color, disability in our house.