At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead storytelling and corporate communications for a renowned UK retailer.
- Company: Marks & Spencer, a leading name in Food, Fashion, Home & Beauty.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, competitive holidays, bonuses, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape the narrative of a major brand during exciting transformations.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in corporate communications and media relations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Marks & Spencer is seeking an exceptional Head of Corporate Communications to lead compelling storytelling across our Food, Fashion, Home & Beauty and International businesses.
The role entails shaping the corporate narrative, safeguarding reputation, and influencing key stakeholders such as media, investors, government and our customers.
Responsibilities
- Own and deliver the corporate communications strategy across all business groups, ensuring a consistent and compelling narrative that supports business priorities.
- Drive proactive storytelling and create a steady drumbeat of impactful stories, campaigns and announcements that showcase the M&S transformation.
- Build engagement with media, investors, colleagues, government and wider stakeholders through targeted content.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing strategic counsel and media guidance in both planned and high-pressure situations.
- Lead crisis communications activity, oversee response to complex issues and high-profile media enquiries, and maintain robust governance and training processes to protect the brand.
- Represent M&S externally, influencing the narrative of one of the UK’s best-known retailers during a period of significant change.
- Collaborate with senior leadership and oversee a team responsible for corporate communications, internal communications and the M&S Press Office.
Qualifications & Experience
- Significant experience leading corporate communications within a large, complex, and high-profile organisation with a proven track record of strategy development and delivery.
- Exceptional media relations expertise, engaging national and business media at the highest level.
- Strong crisis and issues management capability with confidence to lead through complex situations.
- Outstanding storyteller, writer and editor who can translate complex business priorities into engaging communications for a broad audience.
- Experience partnering with and influencing senior leaders, providing trusted communications counsel, coaching and guidance to executive and leadership teams.
- Strong people‑leadership skills, building high‑performing teams, embracing innovation and exploring opportunities presented by AI and emerging communications technologies.
- Desired Skills & Attributes
- Strategic thinking with a focus on business impact.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to operate in a fast‑moving, high‑pressure environment.
- Collaborative mindset and inspiring leadership style.
Benefits
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third‑party brands for you and someone in your household (available after probation).
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and the organisation's.
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future.
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one.
- Exclusive perks and savings through the M&S Choices portal.
- Market‑leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave.
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services.
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you.
- Equal Opportunity
We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work.
We support each other in a culture of inclusion and provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where needed.
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Head of Corporate Communications in City of Westminster employer: Marks and Spencer plc (UK)
Marks and Spencer plc is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on teamwork and collaboration. Located in Kingston upon Thames, employees benefit from a dynamic retail environment where they can grow their skills in fashion and customer service while enjoying opportunities for personal development and career advancement. With a commitment to providing a remarkable shopping experience, Marks and Spencer fosters a supportive atmosphere that values passion and adaptability.
Contact Details:
Marks and Spencer plc (UK) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Corporate Communications in City of Westminster
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Corporate Communications in City of Westminster
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!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Marks and Spencer plc (UK). Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
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 Marks and Spencer plc (UK).
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer plc (UK)
✨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.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
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.
