At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead corporate communications and enhance the Group's reputation through strategic initiatives.
- Company: Join Pennon Group, a leader in water and renewables, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, performance bonuses, private healthcare, and generous leave.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile role that shapes public perception and community engagement.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in communications, media relations, and crisis management required.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
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 include lowering our carbon footprint, planting 300,000 trees, restoring peatlands, and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Working collaboratively across Public Affairs, Customer, Regulation, Sustainability, Legal and Operational teams.
As a critical leadership role within the organisation, the Director of Communications will also maintain effective out-of-hours communications and incident response capability.
About You
You will bring significant senior leadership experience in corporate communications, media relations or reputation management within a large and complex organisation.
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.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-profile communications function at the centre of reputation management, stakeholder engagement and corporate leadership.
If you are an influential communications leader with the credibility, resilience and strategic capability to protect and enhance reputation in a complex, high-profile environment, we'd love to hear from you.
As our Director of Communications, you'll benefit from a comprehensive package that includes:
- Competitive Salary
- Company Car or Car Allowance
- Performance Bonus Scheme
- Pension Scheme
- Private Healthcare Benefits
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Employee Discount Programme
- Generous Annual Leave Entitlement
Closing Date: 14th September 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
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.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid
- Be You
- Be the Future
Director of Communications in Plymouth employer: Pennon Group
At Pennon Group, we offer a dynamic work environment where our In-House Legal Counsel can thrive while making a meaningful impact on communities and the environment. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our supportive culture and opportunities for professional development, all set against the backdrop of our leadership in the UK water sector. Join us in driving purpose and innovation as we work towards a sustainable future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Communications in Plymouth
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like Pennon Group. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like Pennon Group, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research Pennon Group inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Communications in Plymouth
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 Pennon Group. 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 Pennon Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pennon Group
✨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.
