At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications and manage external stakeholder relationships to enhance the organisation's reputation.
- Company: Join Newcastle Building Society, a trusted mutual with a commitment to community and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, flexible working, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values creativity and diversity, with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape impactful narratives and drive meaningful change in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in corporate communications and crisis management at senior levels.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
About the Role
The Head of Corporate Affairs will lead the Group’s strategic communications and external stakeholder management, with overall responsibility for protecting, enhancing and growing the reputation of the organisation and its market‑leading subsidiary, Newcastle Strategic Solutions.
You will set the direction for an integrated, insight‑led communications approach that builds credibility, strengthens relationships and brings the Group’s purpose and mutual value story to life. Acting as a trusted adviser, you will guide ExCo and the Board through complex, high‑profile and often fast‑moving issues, ensuring clarity of message and confidence in delivery.
This role plays a central part in crisis preparedness and response, owning corporate crisis communications and working closely with Risk colleagues to embed a best‑in‑class reputation and risk management framework. You will also lead public affairs as a core pillar of the function, building meaningful advocacy with political, regulatory and community stakeholders at both regional and national level.
With responsibility for media relations and an always‑on storytelling programme, you will position the Group as a credible thought leader, create opportunities for senior spokespeople, and ensure the press office operates with pace, quality and strong governance.
About You
You are an experienced senior communications leader, comfortable operating at ExCo and Board level and trusted for your judgement, calm authority and strategic insight. You bring a proven track record of shaping and delivering corporate communications strategies that support organisational change, growth and reputational ambition.
You will have significant experience of crisis and incident communications, with the confidence to lead under pressure and provide clear, considered advice when it matters most. Public affairs is a genuine strength — you understand political and regulatory environments and know how to build long‑term, credible stakeholder relationships that drive understanding and advocacy.
You are a compelling storyteller who can turn strategy into impactful narrative, using insight and data to inform decisions and demonstrate value. You will combine strong media expertise with a thoughtful, measured approach to external profile, knowing when to lead the conversation and when restraint is required.
As a leader, you are collaborative, inclusive and demanding in equal measure — developing capability, encouraging new thinking and building teams that are integrated, resilient and outcome‑focused. You will be comfortable managing complexity, challenging the status quo constructively, and delivering clarity in environments of heightened scrutiny and expectation.
About Us
Our purpose is clear: to offer accessible financial products, sound advice, and a brand experience that’s as trustworthy online as it is in person. You’ll be joining a team that values creativity, collaboration and real connection. Whether we’re supporting community causes, launching new campaigns, or refining our digital platforms, we’re united by a belief that purposeful content has the power to make mutual values feel meaningful to every audience.
As an inclusive employer and member owned mutual, we aim to reflect the diverse communities we serve and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We believe everyone should feel valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are, we want colleagues to feel this is a place they belong. A place to be you.
What do you get in return?
- Financial Corporate bonus scheme (on target 15%, up to a maximum 22.5%)
- Pension scheme (up to 9% employer contribution)
- Annual performance related pay reviews
- Colleague mortgage scheme
- Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
- Life assurance (4x salary) and income protection
- Access to our financial advisers
- Access to a range of high street and online discounts
- Work/Life Balance
- A 35-hour weekly contract - We are happy to talk flexible working and welcome discussions
- 30 days’ annual leave + bank holidays
- The option to buy and sell up to 5 days’ holiday
- Hybrid working (typically 3 days’ home based)
- Above statutory family leave entitlement - 3 months full pay, 3 months half pay, regardless of gender or route to parenthood
- Health and Wellbeing
- Private medical insurance
- Access to a health cash plan through a Medicash scheme
- Access to an employee assistance programme
- Free onsite gym at our Cobalt head office and access to discounted gyms
- Two paid volunteering days each year
- Cycle to work scheme
Recognising there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to recruitment, we’re committed to ensuring every candidate has the opportunity to showcase their full potential throughout the recruitment process. We strive to make our processes as accessible as possible, if there are any ways in which we can provide support or make adjustments, we would love to discuss this with you, you can contact your Recruiter for this vacancy at kate.wilkinson@newcastle.co.uk
Company: Newcastle Building Society
Head of Corporate Affairs employer: Newcastle Building Society
Newcastle Building Society is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including a corporate bonus scheme, flexible working arrangements, and generous leave policies. Our inclusive work culture fosters creativity and collaboration, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully to our mission of providing accessible financial products and services. With opportunities for personal development and a commitment to community engagement, Newcastle Building Society is a place where you can thrive both professionally and personally.
Contact Details:
Newcastle Building Society Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Corporate Affairs
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Corporate Affairs
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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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 Newcastle Building Society. 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 Newcastle Building Society.
How to prepare for a job interview at Newcastle Building Society
✨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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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.
