Head of Corporate Communications

Overview

Own and deliver the corporate communications strategy across Food, Fashion, Home & Beauty, and International, ensuring a consistent and compelling narrative that supports business priorities and strengthens reputation.

Create a drumbeat of impactful stories, campaigns and announcements that showcase the M&S transformation and build engagement with media, investors, colleagues, government and wider stakeholders.

Provide strategic communications counsel and media guidance to leadership teams, helping them communicate with confidence and impact in both planned and high-pressure situations.

Lead response to complex issues and high-profile media enquiries, oversee crisis communications activity and ensure robust processes, training and governance are in place to protect the M&S brand.

Lead a team of communications professionals and the Press Office, creating an environment that encourages collaboration, growth, innovation and excellence.

Requirements

• Significant experience leading corporate communications within a large, complex and high-profile organisation, with a proven track record of developing and delivering strategic communications that build, strengthen and protect corporate reputation.
• Exceptional media relations expertise, including experience engaging national and business media at the highest level, alongside strong crisis and issues management capability and the confidence to lead through complex situations.
• An outstanding storyteller, writer and editor who can translate complex business priorities into compelling, engaging communications that resonate with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Experience partnering with and influencing senior leaders, providing trusted communications counsel, coaching and guidance to executive and leadership teams.
• A collaborative and inspiring people leader who builds high-performing teams, embraces innovation and is curious about the opportunities presented by AI and emerging communications technologies.