At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful marketing and communications strategies to drive social change.
- Company: Join Virgin Unite, a purpose-driven foundation tackling global challenges.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, healthcare, personal learning budget, and flexible work options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while amplifying voices that drive change.
- Qualifications: Experience in marketing and communications, with strong storytelling skills.
The predicted salary is between 77500 - 85000 £ per year.
Virgin Unite is looking for a strategic and hands-on communications leader to tell the story of who we are, what we stand for and the impact we’re creating around the world. From bold campaigns and thought leadership to brand evolution and reputation management, this is a role for someone who’s just as comfortable shaping strategy as they are writing a brilliant OpEd or rolling up their sleeves to create content for Instagram. This is an opportunity to join a small, ambitious team working on some of the world’s toughest social and environmental challenges — and to help amplify the people and ideas driving change. We’re looking for someone who’s passionate about the social impact space, full of curiosity, and excited to make communications and marketing a powerful force for action.
A bit about us: Virgin Unite is the entrepreneurial foundation of the Virgin Group. We bring people and ideas together to tackle some of the world’s toughest challenges — from social inequality to climate change. Working with partners, founders and communities around the world, we focus on bold, collaborative solutions that drive real, lasting change. We’re a small team with a big reach, where curiosity, purpose and action go hand in hand. If you’re looking to do meaningful work and be part of something bigger, you’ll feel right at home here.
What you’ll be getting stuck into:
- Lead Virgin Unite’s brand, marketing and communications strategy across earned, owned and bought channels.
- Shape compelling campaigns and storytelling that bring complex social issues and partner impact to life.
- Drive the evolution of the Virgin Unite brand, including messaging, editorial direction and digital presence.
- Build thought leadership opportunities for senior leaders and support with speeches, media opportunities and social content.
- Strengthen Virgin Unite’s reputation through strategic media relations and stakeholder engagement.
- Partner with teams across the wider Virgin family, funded partners and incubated initiatives to create joined-up communications.
- Balance big-picture thinking with hands-on delivery — from strategy and planning to writing, editing and content creation.
What you’ll bring:
- Experience across marketing, brand and communications, ideally within a non-profit, charity, purpose-led or social impact environment.
- Brilliant writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to create engaging content for different audiences and channels.
- A strong understanding of digital communications, social media and content marketing.
- Confidence working with senior stakeholders and helping leaders communicate with clarity and impact.
- Experience managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-moving environment.
- Curiosity and passion for the issues Virgin Unite works on, from social justice and planetary health to responsible business.
- A collaborative, proactive approach and willingness to both shape strategy and “do the do.”
What you’ll get in return:
We know life doesn’t stop when work starts. So we’ve built our benefits to support you - at work and beyond. Life – support when it matters most, with healthcare from day one, family-friendly policies and help for life’s bigger moments. Work – the foundations that set you up for the future, including a competitive pension, life assurance and options like our EV scheme. Spirit – space to grow and enjoy the journey, with a personal learning budget, mentoring, volunteering time… and our famous “Screw it, let’s do it” pot. It’s all designed to help you feel your best, do your best, and enjoy the ride - with a few extra Virgin touches along the way (because we don’t really do “standard”).
The essentials:
- Salary: £77,500 - £85,000 + bonus — we’re big on transparency, so no smoke and mirrors here. We’ll always offer a salary that reflects your experience, with room to grow within the range.
- Where you’ll work: We come together in the office at least 2 days a week — the rest is yours to work in your own space.
- Closing date: 5th June 2026.
Bring your whole self:
We welcome people from all walks of life, with all kinds of experiences and ways of thinking. Different perspectives, however your mind works, help us see things differently and do things better. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We particularly encourage applications from candidates from ethnically diverse backgrounds, disabled candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and others who are underrepresented in the charity sector. If there’s anything we can do to support you through the hiring process, just let us know, we’ll always do our best to make it work for you. We believe in using business as a force for good, creating positive change for our people, our communities and the world around us. That includes being a Fair Chance employer and championing strengths like dyslexic thinking - staying open, listening to individual circumstances and focusing on potential.
Where could this role take you? Your Virgin adventure starts here.
Head of Marketing and Communications employer: Virgin Media O2
Virgin Unite is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and purpose-driven work culture, where employees are empowered to tackle some of the world's most pressing social and environmental challenges. With a strong focus on employee well-being, offering comprehensive benefits such as healthcare from day one, personal learning budgets, and flexible working arrangements, Virgin Unite ensures that its team members can thrive both personally and professionally. Joining this small yet ambitious team means being part of a movement that values curiosity, creativity, and impactful storytelling, making it an ideal place for those passionate about making a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Marketing and Communications
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Virgin Unite inside out! Research their campaigns, values, and the impact they’re making. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn, attend relevant events, and engage with their social media. Building relationships can give you insider info and might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your storytelling skills. Think about how your experiences align with their goals and be ready to share compelling stories that highlight your passion for social impact and communications.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to make a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Marketing and Communications
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for social impact shine through. We want to see that you care about the issues Virgin Unite tackles and how you can contribute to making a difference.
Tailor Your Story:Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in marketing and communications. Use examples that showcase your skills in storytelling and content creation, as this is key for us.
Be Authentic:Don’t be afraid to show your personality! We’re looking for someone who’s curious and proactive, so let your unique voice come through in your writing. Authenticity goes a long way with us.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Media O2
✨Know Your Story
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your own journey and how it aligns with Virgin Unite's mission. Be ready to share specific examples of your past experiences in marketing and communications, especially those that highlight your passion for social impact.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to discuss bold campaigns or content you've created in the past. Bring along samples of your work, whether it's an OpEd, social media posts, or campaign strategies. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to think outside the box.
✨Engage with Their Mission
Familiarise yourself with Virgin Unite’s current projects and challenges. During the interview, express your curiosity about their work and share ideas on how you could contribute to their brand evolution and storytelling efforts.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
Highlight your collaborative approach by discussing how you've worked with diverse teams in the past. Emphasise your willingness to both shape strategy and roll up your sleeves to get things done, as this aligns perfectly with the role's requirements.