Head of PR and Communications - Milton Keynes in Gayhurst

Location: Volkswagen Group UK - Milton Keynes

Department: Skoda PR and Communications

Vacancy Type: Permanent - Full time

Skoda are recruiting for a Head of PR and Communications on a full time, permanent basis. Reporting into the Brand Director, you will be responsible for developing and implementing Skoda's PR strategy, ensuring high, positive visibility in the UK media, managing the brand's reputation and supporting the successful delivery of the brand strategy through internal communications and events.

This is a key leadership role within the PR and Communications team, working closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation, both in the UK and internationally. You will lead the delivery of PR communications strategies across relevant business strands, shape brand and product media messaging, build strong relationships with journalists and external partners, and provide communications counsel on proactive and reactive media issues.

You will also provide strategic leadership for internal communications and events, helping to drive engagement, support business change and ensure internal and external communications are aligned. This will include overseeing internal, dealer and consumer events, managing channels such as Teams and virtual event platforms, and supporting cross-functional communications activity.

As a people leader, you will support the ongoing development of the PR and Communications team, creating an inclusive, productive and engaged working environment. You will also be accountable for department budget management, supplier governance and ensuring compliance with relevant Volkswagen Group policies.

Skills & experience you can bring to the role:

• Extensive experience working in communications, including media, events, brand, internal and crisis communications.
• A proven track record of leading PR communications strategies.
• Strong senior stakeholder management experience, with the confidence to influence and communicate at all levels.
• Established relationships with key UK journalists and the ability to engage and connect with media contacts at the highest level.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong editorial judgement and an eye for a story.
• Experience of delivering product press launches, VIP events and brand-led PR activity.
• Strong influencing, interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to build effective business relationships.
• Experience managing budgets in a constantly changing environment.
• A leadership style that supports, mentors and motivates others, while building a highly engaged and inclusive team environment.
• High personal and professional integrity, with confidence in making decisions and driving action.

What can we offer you?

Along with a competitive salary, car schemes (including cars for family members), discretionary bonus, fuel card, enhanced pension contributions, private healthcare, 27 days holiday plus bank holidays, 4 x life insurance & health & wellbeing support, we also offer a wide range of flexible benefits to suit you and your lifestyle.

Skoda are the brand that never sits still. You'd be hard pressed to find an automotive marque that's reinvented itself as consistently and as rapidly as Skoda. Why? Because our philosophy doesn't change. Surprising. Simplifying. Human. These three values have always been at the heart of our brand and they continue to evolve with our customers. That's what makes Skoda a really special place to work.

Volkswagen Group are driven by difference. With six big brands under one roof each with its own history, designs and innovations we've created some of the world's most iconic vehicles, from luxury sports cars to family camper vans. Here, you'll discover opportunities, explore ideas and tackle challenges that you won't find anywhere else.

It takes a range of teams to make the Group successful. We all share the same aim: to deliver sustainable mobility for generations to come, while keeping the customer and their changing demands at the heart of everything we do.

There's never been a more exciting time to join our industry as it undergoes the biggest transformation for over 100 years. With digitalisation, electrification and driverless mobility all coming to the market, we're actively looking for people with new skills, knowledge, and outlooks. A brave new world demands brave, new, diverse people; so whatever your background, we would love to hear from you. We know that different perspectives and thought processes are vital as our industry goes through an exciting period of change.

To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage the application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.