External Comms Divisional Director
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This job is with St. James's Place, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.
What You'll Be Doing:
We're looking for an experienced and forward thinking External Communications Divisional Director to lead our media and public relations strategy, protecting and enhancing our reputation at the highest level. This is a key leadership role reporting directly to the Director of Communications.
In this role you'll be the strategic lead for our public profile designing and delivering an ambitious external communications and reputation strategy. You will be the primary media spokesperson and senior contact for UK and international media. Your work will engage key audiences including clients, government, industry bodies, shareholders, and the wider public, ensuring consistent and aligned messaging that supports the business's goals and strengthens stakeholder relationships.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver comprehensive external communications and reputation strategies aligned with business priorities.
- Lead UK and international media relations, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on external positioning.
- Proactively manage reputational risks and respond to critical incidents with resilience and professionalism.
- Collaborate across departments including marketing, internal communications, public policy, and investor relations to deliver integrated campaigns.
- Monitor global media and stakeholder sentiment to anticipate and respond to emerging issues.
- Lead and inspire a high performing team of media and communications professionals.
You're a dynamic, strategic thinker with deep expertise in media relations, brand reputation, and stakeholder engagement. You're confident advising senior executives and thrive in fast paced, high stakes environments. You understand the importance of trust, clarity, and credibility in corporate storytelling. With strong leadership credentials, you've built and developed high performing teams, and know how to get the best out of people.
What You'll Need To Succeed:
- Extensive senior level experience in external communications, media relations, and reputation management.
- A strong background of developing and driving integrated communications campaigns across traditional and digital channels.
- Proven ability to navigate complex, regulated environments
- Skilled in crisis management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic counsel at executive level.
- Strong leadership with emotional intelligence, integrity, and excellent communication skills.
The External Communications Divisional Director is an important leadership role in Client, Marketing & Communications, working with the Director of Communications and senior stakeholders in respect of all aspects of external communications, with a direct responsibility for media relations and social media for the SJP Group. In this role, you'll be responsible for developing and implementing our reputation, external communications and social media strategies as well as leading the function, comprising of external public relations/media relations and social media teams. The role will also work closely with other teams in the business on engagement with stakeholders such as clients, shareholders, government, industry associations, and regulatory bodies.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Develop and implement external communications, reputation, and social media strategies aligned with business priorities.
- Lead media relations, engaging with UK and international press to enhance SJP's external presence.
- Oversee the creation and execution of external campaigns, integrating with marketing, investor relations, and public policy efforts.
- Monitor external events and stakeholder sentiment, ensuring SJP responds effectively to reputational risks and opportunities.
- Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership, including the Chief Communications & Marketing Officer and CEO, on media and reputation management.
- Lead a team of external communications and media professionals, fostering their development and ensuring high professional standards.
- Ensure SJP's external messaging is consistent, impactful, and aligned with corporate strategy.
An experienced and dynamic leader with a deep understanding of external communications in a complex, high profile environment. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of managing reputational strategy, influencing senior stakeholders, and leading high performing teams. They will be a strategic thinker, adept at navigating challenges and opportunities in media relations, social media, and stakeholder engagement. A strong ability to operate under pressure, provide sound judgment, and drive external perception change is essential.
Essential Criteria
- Extensive experience in external communications and media relations, preferably within a large, complex organisation.
- Proven leadership skills, including managing high performing teams and driving professional development.
- Strategic expertise in reputation management, with a track record of influencing external perceptions.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, particularly at an executive level.
- Strong understanding of the financial services sector, including regulatory and market dynamics.
- Familiarity with digital and social media best practices for reputation management
- Prior experience in public affairs or investor relations would be advantageous.
Some National travel (most likely between Cirencester, London, etc). Flexibility around working hours expected from time to time.
Seniority level
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Job function
Other
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#J-18808-Ljbffr- Location:
- Cirencester
- Job Type:
- FullTime
- Category:
- Other