Head of Communications

We are looking for a confident, values‑led Head of Communications to lead SSAFA’s communications function at a time when trust, clarity and judgement truly matter. This is a senior leadership role within the Fundraising, Marketing and Communications directorate, responsible for protecting and strengthening SSAFA’s reputation, leading issue management, and delivering clear, engaging internal communications for staff and volunteers across a complex national organisation.

You will lead a professional national and regional communications team, setting clear direction, supporting development, and creating a culture where people feel trusted, supported and able to perform under pressure. Acting as a senior communications adviser, you will work closely with executive leaders and colleagues across the organisation to ensure communications are timely, accurate, and grounded in SSAFA’s values. This role is about judgement as much as delivery – knowing when to move fast, when to pause, and how to support people while maintaining high standards.

You’ll be leading a regionally dispersed communications team within our wider Fundraising, Marketing and Communications directorate, working closely with a range of stakeholders to shape compelling, consistent communications across the organisation. This is a collaborative, fast‑paced environment where strong relationships matter, and where your leadership will help ensure our voice helps deliver real impact.

You are an experienced communications leader who combines professional authority with emotional intelligence. You will bring:

• Significant experience in reputation management and crisis communications.
• Credibility as a senior communications adviser in complex organisations.
• A strong track record of leading and developing teams, including through pressure or change.
• A deep understanding of internal communications and their role in organisational culture and trust.
• Excellent judgement, clarity of thought and calmness under pressure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt tone for different audiences.
• A collaborative, people‑centred leadership style.

An understanding of the voluntary sector and the Armed Forces community is desirable, but above all we are looking for someone who leads with integrity, empathy and sound judgement.

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for the Armed Forces community in their time of need. In 2024 our trained teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 53,000 people, including veterans, serving personnel (regulars and reserves) and their families. SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. And we are here for that person and their family, any time they need us and in any way they need us.

SSAFA exists to support a diverse range of beneficiaries within the armed forces community, and we believe diversity within our teams is key to ensuring we can deliver our services effectively. We thrive on differences and believe it is critical to our success as a worldwide charity. SSAFA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business. SSAFA is committed to using the Disclosure & Barring Service to ensure we, as an employer, safeguard those we serve.