Head of Communications

Zodiac Maritime is a London-headquartered ship owner and operator managing one of the world’s largest privately owned fleets. Over several decades, the company has built a reputation for performance excellence, reliability and restraint, while fostering enduring relationships across the industry. Today, the company is focused on ensuring it is properly understood by the audiences that matter most, while remaining true to the understated approach that has served it well. We are seeking a Head of Communications to guide this approach.

This is, first and foremost, a strategic leadership role: the successful candidate will set and own Zodiac’s communications strategy, working closely with the Principals to ensure it reflects the company’s priorities, values and long-term objectives. The role sits within a small team, and we are looking for someone who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. Success in the role will come from being equally comfortable shaping strategy and delivering it, while also supporting day-to-day execution as needed.

Primary deliverables

• Communications activity exists to serve the business, not as an end in itself. Zodiac places far greater value on business outcomes than on traditional PR metrics such as reach or share of voice.
• The successful candidate will own a communications strategy designed to advance five key goals:

• Remain the counterparty of first choice in commercial markets.
• Protect and strengthen access to financing.
• Drive organisational effectiveness through internal communication.
• Win the competition for the best seafarers.
• Compete effectively for shore-side talent.

Measures of success

• This role is not measured by the volume of coverage or number of social media followers. Performance will be assessed primarily on:

• The quality and consistency of positioning – whether communications reliably present Zodiac as intended.
• Establishing trusted partnerships with internal stakeholders and effectively managing time-sensitive reputational and commercial issues as they arise.
• Internal enablement – periodic feedback from heads of department on whether the communications function is making their jobs easier and more effective.
• Progress against the five strategic goals over time, judged on substance rather than vanity metrics.
• Proactively nurturing relationships and engaging with key shipping trade media publications and wider relevant mainstream media.

Skill profile

• We expect to recruit well beyond the maritime sector. While industry knowledge would be welcomed, it is not essential; judgement, temperament and cultural fit matter more.
• The strongest candidates are likely to come from organisations whose communications cultures mirror Zodiac Maritime's own: discreet, relationship-driven, reputation-led and long-term in outlook.
• Demonstrated success in a senior communications role, with the breadth of expertise and judgement required to lead across internal and external communications, media relations and reputational issues.
• A strategic communicator who can set direction, own a strategy and command the respect of senior commercial and financial stakeholders.
• Instinctively comfortable with restraint – understands presence on the company’s own terms, and judges success by quality and positioning rather than volume.
• Hands-on and low-ego – willing to write, post and deliver personally within a small team, not only to direct others.
• A strong track record of building and maintaining trusted relationships with international business and trade media.
• Sound political and reputational judgement, including the sensitivity required to navigate complex geopolitical and identity-related issues.
• A strong writer and editor, able to communicate effectively with audiences ranging from seafarers to financiers.
• Proven ability to think ahead, navigate ambiguity, determine priorities and proactively engage based on business/group/external context.
• Confident leading social media strategy and able to brief and direct specialist and regional contributors.
• Enjoys working within a culturally diverse and flat-structured organisation.
• Out of hours incident response / crisis communications is a requirement for the role.
• Experience in maritime, shipping or an adjacent asset-heavy, capital-intensive sector.
• Familiarity with B2B trade media and/or financial and institutional audiences.
• Exposure to incident or crisis communications (this role is supported by external crisis specialists, so deep crisis experience is not a requirement).
• Experience building a communications function or capability.