Head of External Communications in Leeds

Shape the Future with the National Wealth Fund. At the National Wealth Fund, our mission is to swiftly and effectively mobilise trusted sector insights and investment expertise to unlock billions in private finance for projects across the United Kingdom. Providing £27.8bn of capital and an expanded mandate, we are ready to help the market invest with confidence, continue to drive forward the Government's growth ambitions. We are looking for skilled and results-oriented individuals who are motivated to help us build the National Wealth Fund into an industry-leading institution.

Job Purpose

• Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days per week in the Leeds office
• Salary: £95,000 - £115,000
• Deadline to Apply: 19th April 2026. Early submission is encouraged, and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Key Accountabilities

• Ensuring clear articulation of the Fund’s brand and positioning through the news media, digital channels and other media, ensuring it is well understood by our external audiences, thereby supporting delivery of strategic and tactical objectives.
• Develop, deliver and evaluate digital media and media relations strategies and campaigns, building relationships with key influencers and journalists across national, regional and sector news outlets in the UK; and with communications teams from key partners, including government departments, clients, local authorities and peer public finance institutions, to enhance the Bank’s reputation and to highlight our impact and results.
• Harnessing external intelligence and context to inform media relations and digital activity in order to exploit opportunities, mitigate potential risks, and identify opportunities for third party advocacy.
• Leading on media handling of sensitive issues, to safeguard the reputation of the Fund. This will include anticipating and mitigating risks, and advising and supporting senior colleagues in planning and implementing responses to critical incidents and issues of reputational risk.
• Responsibility for the Fund’s digital content strategy; applying an audience-centred approach, defining a clear operating model, and developing and managing strategic principles for prioritising use of our digital channels, including websites and social media.
• Responsibility for the development of news and promotional content, including web copy, press statements, case studies and opinion pieces, with the ability to match style, tone and content to audience to support the Fund’s objectives.
• Responsibility for the delivery of digital content packages (e.g. videos, social media content) and channels to effectively promote the Fund’s mission and support its strategic objectives.
• Developing and maintain effective methods of planning, monitoring and evaluating media and communications activity to identify and act on opportunities for continuous improvement of the service.
• Ensuring cost effective management of relevant areas of the budget to ensure activity provides good value for money and that financial procedures are correctly followed.
• Ensure resources are effectively deployed within budget and commission external support where appropriate/feasible, adhering to procurement requirements.
• Identifying, managing and reviewing suppliers to support the effective delivery of the media and digital agenda in line with the function’s strategic objectives, plan and budget.
• Effectively managing relationships with key internal and external stakeholders (the latter to include our shareholder, and public and private sector customers) to ensure the Fund’s communications objectives are delivered in consensual fashion that supports long term relationships.
• Leading, coaching and supporting own team and direct report(s) - identifying individual priorities and personal development plans to ensure full potential is reached, to support a high performing team to deliver the function’s strategic objectives.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience Requirements

• Knowledge of media training, and strong understanding of the UK media landscape, including print, broadcast, digital and new media.
• Understanding of the workings of LinkedIn and its analytical tools.
• Understanding of media databases and analytical tools (e.g. Roxhill, Vuelio or other similar offerings).
• Significant experience of working in a media relations and/or news journalism role at a senior level, with a proven track record of delivering exceptional outcomes.
• Ideally you will have led a media relations function for an organisation of considerable profile.
• Experience of integrating media activity with other disciplines to create coherent communications strategies.
• Extensive experience of building and maintaining relationships with journalists across a range of publication types and proven ability as a senior spokesperson for a high profile organisation.
• Experience working with a broad range of external and internal stakeholders, including journalists and delivery partners, with the ability to build strong and enduring relationships, alongside confidence communicating and evidencing your ideas and advice.
• A track record of gathering external intelligence and horizon-scanning to inform media and communications handling in order to anticipate and exploit opportunities, and mitigate potential risks.
• Proven first-rate news judgement will be essential.
• Experience of leading, planning and evaluating effective media relations and communications campaigns and activity, building on insights to improve how teams deliver against objectives.
• Experience in using digital communications to support the delivery of strategic objectives in an organisation of considerable profile.
• This will include experience of integrating digital communications activity with other communications disciplines to create coherent communications strategies and maintain and develop brand identity.
• Proven track record of developing, leading and motivating high performing teams.
• Experience of leading and developing high performing teams/effective coaching of direct reports.

Skills

• Outstanding writing skills and the ability to present information to a range of audiences in an engaging way.
• Willingness to take the initiative, assume responsibility and work independently, when required, as well as work collaboratively within a wider team to develop effective communications activities.
• Resilience will be an essential attribute.
• First rate news and political judgement.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines and ensure effective prioritisation and use of resources.
• Excellent leadership and managerial skills.

A career with us offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and work on cutting-edge technologies that will drive the UK’s future. We value diversity in our people and inclusion is at the heart of what we do. We offer competitive benefits and unique learning opportunities from combining both private and public sector skills and experience.

Please note, referencing and background checks are carried out for all roles here at the National Wealth Fund.