Group Head of External Communications

Group Head of External Communications

Full-Time 54000 - 66000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Inchcape

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and evolve Inchcape's global external communications strategy to shape our reputation.
  • Company: Join Inchcape, a leading global automotive distributor transforming the industry.
  • Benefits: Collaborative culture, growth opportunities, and a chance to make a significant impact.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
  • Why this job: Influence at the highest levels and help shape the future of mobility.
  • Qualifications: Experience in communications strategies and strong relationship-building skills.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.

Are you looking to shape the future of a global business, influence at the highest levels and make a lasting impact?

At Inchcape, our leaders play a critical role in driving transformation, inspiring teams and delivering sustainable success.

You'll have the opportunity to work across markets, influence strategic decisions and help shape the future of a business that is transforming the automotive distribution industry.

Our Group Communications team is seeking a

Head of External Communications to lead and evolve Inchcape's global external communications strategy.

This role will shape how Inchcape communicates with external audiences, strengthen our global reputation, support executive visibility and ensure a consistent, compelling narrative across corporate, financial and leadership communications.

What You'll Do

  • Lead and deliver Inchcape's global external communications strategy, aligned to the Group's strategic priorities and corporate narrative.
  • Shape and strengthen how Inchcape is represented externally, building awareness of our differentiated business model, strategy and long-term value creation.
  • Develop compelling communications programmes that enhance reputation, support thought leadership and position Inchcape as the world's leading independent automotive distributor.
  • Lead proactive and reactive media engagement across international, national, trade and financial media.
  • Partner with Investor Relations, regional communications teams and senior stakeholders to ensure a consistent external narrative across corporate, financial and leadership communications.
  • Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Executive Team and senior leaders on media engagement, reputation management and strategic communications.
  • Build capability across Inchcape's global communications community through coaching, collaboration and the sharing of best practice.
  • Lead and develop external communications channels, resources and partnerships, ensuring activity is impactful, measurable and aligned to business priorities.
  • Lead the end-to-end delivery of Inchcape's Annual Report & Accounts and ensure our external digital channels, including the corporate website and social media platforms, deliver a consistent, engaging and strategically aligned narrative that strengthens awareness, reputation and stakeholder engagement.

About You

To be successful in this role, you'll bring

  • Experience developing and delivering communications strategies within complex, international organisations.
  • A strong track record of building reputation and delivering impactful communications programmes across a range of audiences and channels.
  • Experience advising senior leaders on communications, stakeholder engagement, reputation management and complex business issues.
  • Strong understanding of media engagement, corporate communications and executive communications.
  • Experience supporting financial communications, corporate reporting or market-sensitive communications.
  • Excellent judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to translate complex business topics into clear, compelling narratives.
  • Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across markets, functions and leadership teams.
  • A collaborative leadership style and a passion for building capability, developing others and creating alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.

Desirable

  • Experience within automotive, mobility, distribution or another international B2B environment.
  • Professional qualification or degree in communications, journalism, public relations or a related discipline.
  • Experience working across multiple regions and cultures.
  • Spanish language skills would be advantageous.
  • We Offer You

At Inchcape, we're shaping the future of mobility and you're invited to shape it with us.

You'll join a collaborative culture that values wellbeing, growth and inclusion.

Through meaningful work, global exposure and development opportunities, you'll have the chance to make a significant impact and build a rewarding career.

Start Your Journey

If you're excited about this role but don't meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

You might be the perfect fit for this role or another opportunity within Inchcape.

Join our team and become part of a leading global automotive company that is transforming tomorrow, together.

Opportunity For Everyone

Inchcape is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where the power of our differences can be embraced and everyone feels they can be themselves.

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

About Us

Inchcape is the leading global automotive distributor operating in 40+ markets.

We partner with some of the world's leading automotive brands to power better mobility today and in the future.

Our diverse global team of over 16,000 talented colleagues foster an inclusive and collaborative culture, delivering brilliant experiences for our customers, partners and people.

Group Head of External Communications employer: Inchcape

Inchcape is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees within a dynamic global environment. With a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity, the company fosters a culture where every voice is valued, providing ample opportunities for professional advancement and impactful learning experiences. Joining Inchcape means being part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation in leadership capability.

Inchcape

Contact Details:

Inchcape Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Group Head of External Communications

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We think you need these skills to ace Group Head of External Communications

Communications Strategy Development
Media Engagement
Reputation Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Corporate Communications
Executive Communications
Financial Communications

Some tips for your application 🫡

Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!

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Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Inchcape.

How to prepare for a job interview at Inchcape

Master the Art of Storytelling

In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.

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We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.

Showcase Our Versatility

As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.