Group Communications & External Relations Director

We’re seeking a Group Communications & External Relations Director on a fixed-term contract, to step into the spotlight and be the driving force behind the company's media strategy and brand protection. You’ll provide strategic leadership on press matters, aligning with the overall communications strategy, and execute proactive campaigns to elevate Virgin’s profile across various audiences.

You'll advise the Founder and leadership team on reputation management and media relations, while also overseeing group internal communications, content and digital communications and advocacy to keep employees worldwide buzzing with Virgin energy. Working closely with teams in London and New York and Virgin companies across the world, you'll safeguard the reputation of the Founder and the group, while also promoting the Virgin brand globally through media engagements, Virgin events, and third-party collaborations.

Our Virgin Family

Join the Virgin Group – a diverse collective driving change, enhancing customer experience, and having a blast. We're daring, disrupting industries from finance to space, united as part of the Virgin Family.

We are the heart of Virgin, we nurture the brand globally. Our diverse, 380-strong team in London and New York, supports every facet of the Virgin empire, including Virgin Unite, our entrepreneurial foundation, and Virgin Start-Up, who empower UK entrepreneurs. Working in synergy with various Virgin entities globally, our interests are as diverse as travel, health, music, media, finance, and space. Our unique work culture and purpose unite us.

Tell me more

• Reporting to the Chief People Officer Nikki Humphrey, this role provides strategic communications counsel to the Founder and the Virgin Group leadership team and the Virgin Group leadership team, including planning key Virgin events and campaigns.
• Lead global communications, mentoring teams and managing crisis communications for the group and support key Virgin Company activities
• Forge and develop strategic partnerships with UK and US partners, like-minded brands, and Virgin Companies.
• Collaborate with Brand and People teams on integrated communications and activation strategies.
• Develop and implement media and PR strategies to maximise Virgin Management's profile and ensure effective reputation management.
• Oversee press office operations, providing efficient, proactive and reactive services for print, digital, and broadcast media.
• Cultivate relationships with UK and international media to secure positive coverage and organise media events.
• Coordinate with Virgin Company Media teams and Internal Communications teams to amplify good news stories and share best practices.
• Lead the Communications & External Relations team, providing direction, managing budgets, and developing performance indicators.
• Oversee group internal communications initiatives to engage employees worldwide.

What you’ll need

• Extensive experience in managing an in-house press office and working with UK and international media.
• Proven track record of achieving positive media coverage for organisations, particularly in the UK and internationally.
• Experience in providing organisational commentary and supporting others in media interviews for national outlets.
• Proficiency in overseeing media events such as press conferences and interviews.
• Excellent relationships with a range of media outlets.
• Demonstrated ability to work with commercial partners, sponsors, and Virgin branded companies.
• Thorough understanding of a business operational environment, especially regarding UK Government relations and media engagement.
• Experience in developing and maintaining internal communications channels, including digital solutions.
• Strong leadership skills, including strategic planning, budget management, and team development.
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all organisational levels.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, diplomatic approach, and ability to handle confidential matters with discretion and political astuteness.

The extra details

Role type: Contract - 9 months (November 2024 to July 2025)

Location: London hub & your home space

Working hours: Full time - We embrace flexible working. Let us know what hours empower you to be at your best both professionally and personally, we’ll try to find a perfect match for you and us.

Benefits: Dive into a fast-paced, evolving workspace, where your hard work and dedication is rewarded. Fancy unlimited holidays and weekly yoga? That's the Virgin way. We champion inclusion, wellbeing, and purposeful points strategies. Further benefits include flexible working, healthcare, dental schemes, pension contributions and an employee rewards scheme.

Closing date: 18 September 2024

Some of the attributes that define a Virgin person just can’t be quantified in words. We pride ourselves on welcoming people from all walks of life, with all sorts of skill sets. Most recently, we successfully campaigned to add ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ as a skill on LinkedIn. Any uniqueness is a strength and will be considered an asset to our workforce. If there is something you would like us to consider, to tailor the hiring process to the way you work best, please don’t hesitate to let us know. 

Excited to make each day rewarding? We'd love to learn more about you!