Head Of in London

Head Of in London

London Full-Time 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead corporate communications strategy and manage media relations for Boots.
  • Company: Join Boots, the UK's top health and beauty retailer, in a pivotal leadership role.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous discounts, and flexible benefits.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of communications in a fast-paced retail environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in corporate communications and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to excellence and innovation.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.

Contract: Permanent

Location: London Sedley Place or Nottingham Support Office

Closing date: 20th Feb 2026

Recruitment Partner:

What you'll be doing

Boots, the UK’s leading health, wellness and beauty retailer, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Corporate Communications & Media Relations to lead and shape the strategic direction of corporate communications. This pivotal role sits at the heart of the organisation, requiring a visionary leader capable of navigating complex challenges, anticipating future opportunities, driving stakeholder engagement and protecting and enhancing Boots reputation across all channels. Comfortable with operating in an exceptionally fast‑paced and ever‑evolving retail landscape, the successful candidate will be a highly experienced corporate communications strategist. In addition to excellent corporate and financial communication skills, they will be well‑versed in planning and evaluation, able to own the end‑to‑end planning process and lead on measurement and evaluation, creating a series of metrics designed to demonstrate the exceptional value of the work the team delivers.

Key responsibilities

  • Strategic Leadership: Develop, drive, and execute the corporate communications strategy to support Boots strategic priorities and brand reputation. You will need to anticipate market trends, seize opportunities and respond decisively to the news agenda.
  • Crisis Communications: Lead the development and execution of crisis communication strategies, acting as a trusted advisor across the business and ensuring timely, clear and effective messaging that safeguards Boots reputation.
  • Reputation Management: Proactively identify emerging risks and opportunities within the communications landscape, developing robust plans and initiatives to ensure Boots is well‑prepared to respond effectively and maximise positive outcomes.
  • Financial Communications: Lead the development and delivery of financial communications, including results announcements and market updates, to demonstrate performance and strategic momentum to media, investors and key stakeholders.
  • Relationship Management: Develop and nurture strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including media, influencers, industry bodies and opinion leaders.
  • Thought Leadership: Drive proactive thought leadership and storytelling initiatives to position Boots as the trusted health, wellness and beauty retailer.
  • Planning: Oversee the planning of the external communications plan, ensuring its seamless end‑to‑end delivery and tight collaboration with key teams across the business.
  • Measurement and Evaluation: Lead the development and implementation of robust communications measurement and evaluation frameworks, ensuring clear and challenging KPIs and performance metrics. Provide regular analysis and actionable insights to demonstrate impact and guide strategic decision‑making.
  • Continuous Improvement: Challenge the status quo, drive step‑change improvements, and ensure Boots is ahead of the curve with how it shares its stories.
  • Team Leadership & Development: Lead, inspire, and challenge a high‑performing communications team. Set ambitious targets, foster a culture of excellence and ensure exceptional delivery against stretching KPIs.

What you'll need to have

  • Proven track record in a senior corporate communications role within a large, high‑profile and fast‑paced organisation, preferably in retail, healthcare or consumer sectors.
  • Demonstrable experience in financial communications.
  • Deep expertise of managing high‑profile issues, with proven experience in effectively responding to and resolving challenging situations.
  • Excellent knowledge of the news agenda, combined with strong news judgment.
  • Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and the ability to translate business objectives into actionable communications strategies.
  • Brilliant media operator with established network of corporate, retail, consumer affairs, news and trade journalists and key opinion leaders.
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities, with a flair for crafting compelling narratives and clear messaging.
  • Strong planning and organisation skills, with experience in overseeing annual PR plans, ensuring effective collaboration across teams, alignment of messaging and prioritisation of campaigns.
  • Excellent commercial acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to measure communications effectiveness, share learnings and assess ROI.
  • Exceptional leadership skills, with a demonstrable ability to motivate, coach and develop teams.
  • High standards of professionalism, discretion, agility and resilience under pressure.
  • Relevant degree or professional qualification in PR, communications or journalism preferred.

Rewards designed for you

  • Boots Retirement Savings Plan.
  • Discretionary annual bonus.
  • Generous employee discounts.
  • Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay and gift card for anyone expecting or adopting a child.
  • Flexible benefits scheme including option to buy additional holiday, discounted gym membership, life assurance, activity passes and much more.
  • Access to free, 24/7 counselling and support through TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Programme.

About The Boots Group

The Boots Group is a trusted leader in healthcare, pharmacy and retail, operating across 11 countries - including the UK, Ireland, Thailand and Mexico. The Boots Group brands - including Boots, Boots Opticians, No7 Beauty Company, Farmacias Benavides and Alliance Healthcare - are trusted and well recognised healthcare and beauty businesses, serving millions of customers and patients every day in communities around the world. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, passionate about embracing the diversity of our colleagues and providing a positive and inclusive working environment for all.

What's next

If you apply, our team will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application or to arrange next steps. Where a role is advertised as full‑time, we are open to discussing part‑time and job share options during the application process. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you to be at your best. Boots is a Ban the Box employer and will consider the suitability of applicants with criminal convictions on a case‑by‑case basis. We hope to hear from you soon. Be Brilliant with Boots.

Head Of in London employer: Boots Opticians

Boots is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London or Nottingham, where innovation and strategic thinking are at the forefront of corporate communications. With a strong commitment to employee growth, generous benefits including a retirement savings plan, flexible working options, and a culture that values diversity and inclusion, Boots empowers its team to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the health, wellness, and beauty sectors.
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Contact Detail:

Boots Opticians Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head Of in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time to shine in front of the real interview panel.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.

We think you need these skills to ace Head Of in London

Corporate Communications Strategy
Crisis Communication
Reputation Management
Financial Communications
Relationship Management
Thought Leadership
Planning and Organisation
Measurement and Evaluation
Continuous Improvement
Team Leadership
Analytical Skills
Written and Verbal Communication
Media Relations
Commercial Acumen

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Corporate Communications role. Highlight your experience in corporate communications and how it aligns with Boots' strategic priorities. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your impact in previous roles, especially in crisis communications and reputation management. We love seeing quantifiable results!

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for a visionary leader, so don’t be afraid to share your unique perspective on corporate communications and how you would approach challenges at Boots.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Boots Opticians

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Boots' corporate communications strategy and recent news. Familiarise yourself with their brand values and any recent campaigns. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your answers with their goals.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Head of Corporate Communications, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in high-pressure situations, particularly in crisis communications. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop talent within your team.

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your strategic thinking and crisis management skills. Prepare for hypothetical scenarios where you might need to respond to a PR crisis or manage stakeholder relationships. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.

✨Metrics Matter

Boots is looking for someone who can measure the effectiveness of communications. Be prepared to discuss how you've developed KPIs and evaluated the success of previous campaigns. Bring specific examples of how your strategies have positively impacted business outcomes.

Head Of in London
Boots Opticians
Location: London

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