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 connecting over 100 towns and cities.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, share scheme, and lifestyle insurance with airside perks.
- Why this job: Shape the future of communications in aviation while fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
- Qualifications: Must have a qualification in communications or equivalent experience, with strong leadership and crisis management skills.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; apply by 6th May to start your career journey.
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 within this sector will help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your passion for the industry during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the aviation and communications fields. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with key players, which can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals for the Head of Communications role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in crisis communications. Given the importance of managing communications during significant organisational changes, be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated such situations in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by highlighting instances where you've developed high-performing teams. Be prepared to discuss your approach to fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement, as this aligns closely with the expectations for this role.
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: Include quantifiable achievements in your application, such as successful communication strategies you've implemented or improvements in team performance under your leadership. This will help illustrate your impact in previous roles.
Research the Company: Familiarise yourself with London Gatwick Airport's current communications strategy and any recent news. This knowledge will allow you to tailor your application and demonstrate your understanding of their goals and challenges.
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 in developing strategies that engage employees and build trust within an organisation.
✨Highlight Crisis Management Experience
Given the importance of crisis communications in this role, share specific examples of how you've successfully managed communications during significant organisational changes or crises. This will showcase your preparedness and ability to handle pressure.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Talk about your experience in leading high-performing teams and how you've fostered a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Providing examples of how you've developed team members can illustrate your commitment to leadership.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Emphasise your interpersonal skills by discussing how you've built and maintained relationships with diverse stakeholders. This is key for a role that requires collaboration across functions and with external bodies.