Group Director of External Relations in Exeter

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

At Pennon Group, we’re proud to serve communities while protecting the environment.

Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we’re leading the way in water and renewables.

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

At Pennon Group, we’re proud to serve communities while protecting the environment.

Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we’re leading the way in water and renewables.

We’re proud to be recognised as a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future.

Our goals?

As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash?

Join our team today.

Reputation isn't built on easy days. It's built on the challenging ones.

Director of Communications

Pennon is seeking an exceptional communications leader to lead its corporate communications function and play a critical role in protecting and enhancing the reputation of the Group and its operating businesses.

This strategically important role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery.

Operating in a highly visible and scrutinised environment, the Director of Communications will develop and deliver the Group’s communications strategy, lead proactive and reactive media relations, direct communications during incidents and crises, and drive the continued evolution of Pennon’s digital and social media capability.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a communications professional who thrives on complexity, exercises sound judgement under pressure and can balance long‑term strategic thinking with operational execution.

The Role

As Director of Communications, you will own and lead Group corporate communications across Pennon and its operating businesses, ensuring clear, consistent and effective external communications that support business priorities and strengthen corporate reputation.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Developing and delivering communications strategies that enhance reputation and support organisational priorities.
• Leading proactive and reactive media relations activity, including ownership of the media office and newsroom operation.
• Personally managing high‑profile, complex and reputation‑sensitive media issues.
• Leading communications during major incidents, crises and operational events, including leadership of the Communications Cell within incident management structures.
• Providing expert communications counsel and constructive challenge to Executive leaders and senior stakeholders.
• Leading communications planning and delivery for major corporate announcements, campaigns and business milestones.
• Driving the development and delivery of Pennon’s digital and social media strategy, strengthening audience engagement through owned channels.
• Owning and developing the Pennon corporate website as a key communications platform.
• Leading community communications and community relations activities across Pennon’s operating areas.
• Overseeing executive media briefing, preparation and support for interviews, events and significant announcements.
• Leading communications monitoring, insight and evaluation to inform decision‑making and continuous improvement.
• Building, leading and developing a high‑performing communications team, creating accountability, resilience, capability and engagement.
• Working collaboratively across Public Affairs, Customer, Regulation, Sustainability, Legal and Operational teams to deliver aligned external communications.

As a critical leadership role within the organisation, the Director of Communications will also maintain effective out‑of‑hours communications and incident response capability, participating in a standby (on‑call) rota and providing communications leadership during incidents, crises and reputation‑sensitive situations, including occasional weekend working as required.

About You

You will bring significant senior leadership experience in corporate communications, media relations or reputation management within a large and complex organisation.

• You Will Be Able To Demonstrate
• A strong track record of protecting and enhancing corporate reputation.
• Extensive experience leading communications during operational incidents, crises and issues subject to significant public scrutiny.
• Proven expertise in managing complex media relations and building credibility with journalists, editors and broadcasters.
• Experience developing and delivering successful communications campaigns across traditional, digital and social media channels.
• Evidence of building digital communications capability and growing audience engagement through owned channels.
• The ability to translate complex operational, regulatory or technical issues into clear and compelling communications.
• Experience influencing, advising and constructively challenging Executive leaders and senior stakeholders.
• Strong leadership capability, including building and developing high‑performing teams.
• Excellent judgement, resilience and decision‑making in fast‑moving and high‑pressure environments.
• What Will Motivate You
• Leading a communications function that plays a critical role in protecting and enhancing organisational reputation.
• Combining strategic leadership with active involvement in communications delivery and execution.
• Managing complex communications challenges in a dynamic and high‑profile operating environment.
• Building trusted relationships with senior leaders while providing expert advice and challenge.
• Developing innovative digital and social media approaches that improve audience engagement.
• Leading, coaching and developing talented communications professionals.
• Working closely with the communities and customers served by the organisation.
• Delivering high‑quality communications that create visible impact and influence.

Essential Experience

• Senior communications leadership experience.
• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Demonstrable media relations expertise.
• Proven crisis, incident and issues‑management capability.
• Strong leadership and people development skills.
• Strong digital and social media expertise.
• Ability to operate credibly with Executive leaders and senior stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to participate in an out‑of‑hours standby (on‑call) rota and provide communications leadership during incidents and major operational events.

Desirable

• Professional communications qualification, relevant degree or equivalent experience.
• Journalism or newsroom experience.
• Experience within utilities, infrastructure or another regulated sector.
• Understanding of community engagement and community relations.
• Experience leading communications functions through organisational change or major operational challenges.
• Join Pennon

This is a rare opportunity to lead a high‑profile communications function at the centre of reputation management, stakeholder engagement and corporate leadership.

For an experienced communications professional seeking a role that combines strategic influence, operational leadership and genuine organisational impact, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a difference.

We recognise and reward the commitment, expertise and impact our people bring to the business.

As our Director of Communications, you'll benefit from a comprehensive package that includes:

• Competitive Salary – Reflecting your experience, skills and contribution
• Company Car or Car Allowance – Supporting your professional mobility
• Performance Bonus Scheme – A rewarding and competitive incentive structure
• Pension Scheme – Helping you plan confidently for the future
• Private Healthcare Benefits – Including private medical insurance and access to employee assistance programmes
• Professional Development Opportunities – Ongoing training and support to help you grow your career
• Employee Discount Programme – Savings across a range of products and services
• Generous Annual Leave Entitlement – Giving you time to rest, recharge and enjoy life outside of work

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the on-boarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way.

Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive.

Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities.

We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are

• Be Rock Solid
• Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
• Be You
• We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
• Be the Future
• Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
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