At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful communications strategies and engage diverse audiences at a world-class arts centre.
- Company: Join the Barbican, a vibrant and inclusive hub for creativity and culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from underrepresented groups.
- Why this job: Shape the narrative of a leading arts institution and drive meaningful community engagement.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior communications roles and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 68300 - 77400 £ per year.
Salary: £68,300 to £77,400 including Inner London Weighting (A Market Forces Supplement may be considered, subject to eligibility)
Contractual Hours: 35
Basis: Full-Time, Permanent
Workplace category: Hybrid
About the Role
This role sits within the Leadership Group at Barbican with responsibility for driving impact and value through telling our story. Working with the Executive Team, you will lead the creation and evolution of a clear communications plan that delivers continuous growth in Barbican’s reach, relevance and revenue through media relations, external affairs, stakeholder events, publicity and local community engagement. If you love engaging others in a compelling story, enjoy bringing different perspectives together and thrive on challenging the traditional ways of doing things, we would love to hear from you.
About You
- Significant experience in a senior communications leadership role.
- Proven ability to develop and deliver impactful communications strategies in a complex organisation.
- Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing high‑performing teams.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
- Experience of managing media relations and high‑profile communications issues.
- Strategic thinker with a creative and audience‑focused approach.
What We Offer
- Barbican Membership.
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service.
- Access to Barbican Centre discounts including offers at the Barbican Shop and hospitality outlets.
- City Corporation staff benefits and discounts throughout the City of London, including at Tower Bridge, Guildhall Art Gallery and others.
- Reciprocal entry to a number of galleries and museums across London.
- Employee volunteering scheme (up to 2 days per year).
- A vibrant, creative, inclusive workplace at one of the world’s leading arts centres.
Legal
The City of London Corporation wants to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the work that we do. The City of London Corporation is currently undergoing a programme to ensure that our pay and reward practices are competitive and equitable across the whole organisation – and is committed to regularly benchmarking and reviewing pay against external sectors. As part of our commitment to increasing the diversity of staff within the Barbican we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from groups that are currently underrepresented, including people from the Global Majority and Deaf and disabled people. We want to better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We are members of the Disability Confident Scheme and guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who would like to be considered under this scheme and who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. Please contact us if you require reasonable adjustments as part of the application process.
Head of Communications employer: The City Of London
At Barbican, we pride ourselves on being a vibrant and inclusive workplace that champions creativity and collaboration. As the Head of Communications, you will not only lead impactful strategies but also benefit from a supportive environment that values employee growth, offering generous leave, pension schemes, and unique cultural experiences in one of the world's leading arts centres. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the perks of working in the heart of London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Communications
✨Get Involved in PR Events
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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 The City Of London, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
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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!
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Communications
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 The City Of London. 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 The City Of London.
How to prepare for a job interview at The City Of London
✨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.
