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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead external communications and manage strategic planning across various business units.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer focused on quality, value, and service for millions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Be part of an inclusive team driving innovation in retail and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial communications and excellent writing skills are essential.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for personal development and community support.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
What you\’ll do
Your key accountabilities will include
- Lead cross-Group external communications across Strategy & Performance, People, and Plan A, working closely with Content & Channels, BU leads, and the wider Corporate Affairs team.
- Own and manage the long-term external comms planning grid, ensuring alignment with internal comms and acting as \”air traffic control\” for near- and medium-term planning.
- Deliver key financial calendar moments (Christmas, Full Year, Interim), including messaging, Q&A, briefing notes, media strategy, and content coordination.
- Be responsible for the production and publication of the Annual Report and AGM, managing agencies and collaborating with Investor Relations and CoSec.
- Lead insight and sentiment tracking to evaluate message penetration and inform strategy.
- Develop a clear framework to help communication business partners elevate BU stories (e.g. supply chain, tech transformation, store rotation) into the wider corporate narrative.
Who you are
Your skills and experience will include:
- Proven experience in financial communications, ideally within a FTSE 100-250 company or a leading comms agency (in-house experience preferred).
- Proficient in project planning and management.
- Excellent writing and storytelling ability, with experience drafting press releases, reports, and executive briefings.
- Calm under pressure, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
- Confident working with senior business partners including the CEO, Chair, Investor Relations, and CoSec.
- A collaborative approach and ability to influence across functions.
What\’s in it for you
Working at M&S means being part of something bigger – helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We\’re inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.
Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you\’ve completed your probation
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours
- 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 our 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
Everyone\’s welcome
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We\’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We\’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.
We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you\’d benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don\’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
#hybridrole #LI-Hybrid #LI-MW1 #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of External Strategic Communications employer: MARKS&SPENCER
Contact Detail:
MARKS&SPENCER Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of External Strategic Communications
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in financial communications, especially within FTSE 100-250 companies. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about industry standards and expectations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of external strategic communications. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the role's demands and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing multiple projects under tight deadlines. Use specific examples that showcase your ability to prioritise tasks and deliver results, as this is crucial for the Head of External Strategic Communications role.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your collaborative approach by thinking of ways to influence cross-functional teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully worked with senior business partners in the past, as this will resonate well with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of External Strategic Communications
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Head of External Strategic Communications position. Identify key responsibilities and required skills, ensuring you can demonstrate your experience in financial communications and project management.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience, particularly in financial communications and storytelling. Include specific examples of past projects where you've successfully managed external communications or collaborated with senior business partners.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the company. Use this opportunity to explain how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly your ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since excellent writing is crucial for this role, consider including samples of your work, such as press releases or reports, as part of your application. This will demonstrate your storytelling ability and proficiency in producing high-quality communications.
How to prepare for a job interview at MARKS&SPENCER
✨Showcase Your Financial Communication Expertise
Given the role's focus on financial communications, be prepared to discuss your previous experience in this area. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed communications during key financial moments, such as annual reports or earnings releases.
✨Demonstrate Project Management Skills
This position requires excellent project planning and management abilities. Be ready to share instances where you've effectively coordinated multiple projects simultaneously, especially under tight deadlines, and how you ensured alignment across different teams.
✨Prepare for High-Level Interactions
You'll be working closely with senior business partners, so it's crucial to convey your confidence in these interactions. Prepare to discuss how you've influenced decision-making at a high level and your approach to building relationships with executives like the CEO and Chair.
✨Craft Compelling Stories
As storytelling is a key part of this role, practice articulating your ideas clearly and engagingly. Bring examples of press releases or reports you've written that showcase your ability to convey complex information in an accessible way.
