Head of Corporate Communications

MS Companies

Head of Corporate Communications leading corporate storytelling for M&S's Food, Fashion and International businesses. Protecting and enhancing the company's reputation during significant transformation.

Posted 7/8/2026full-timeLondon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in leading corporate communications strategies that enhance corporate reputation and engage diverse stakeholders. Proven ability to manage media relations, crisis communications, and team leadership while leveraging innovative communication technologies.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Corporate Communications StrategyMedia Relations ExpertiseCrisis Communications ManagementStorytelling and Writing SkillsTeam Leadership and Development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Soft Skills

CollaborationInfluencing Senior LeadersCoaching and Guidance

Tools & Technologies

Emerging Communications TechnologiesAI in Communications

Industry Keywords

Corporate ReputationStakeholder EngagementHigh-Pressure SituationsComplex Issues ManagementHigh-Profile Media Enquiries

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own and deliver the corporate communications strategy across Food, Fashion, Home & Beauty, and International, ensuring a consistent and compelling narrative that supports business priorities and strengthens reputation
Create a drumbeat of impactful stories, campaigns and announcements that showcase the M&S transformation and build engagement with media, investors, colleagues, government and wider stakeholders.
Provide strategic communications counsel and media guidance to leadership teams, helping them communicate with confidence and impact in both planned and high-pressure situations.
Lead response to complex issues and high-profile media enquiries, oversee crisis communications activity and ensure robust processes, training and governance are in place to protect the M&S brand.
Lead a team of communications professionals and the Press Office, creating an environment that encourages collaboration, growth, innovation and excellence.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Significant experience leading corporate communications within a large, complex and high-profile organisation, with a proven track record of developing and delivering strategic communications that build, strengthen and protect corporate reputation.
Exceptional media relations expertise, including experience engaging national and business media at the highest level, alongside strong crisis and issues management capability and the confidence to lead through complex situations.
An outstanding storyteller, writer and editor who can translate complex business priorities into compelling, engaging communications that resonate with a broad range of stakeholders.
Experience partnering with and influencing senior leaders, providing trusted communications counsel, coaching and guidance to executive and leadership teams.
A collaborative and inspiring people leader who builds high-performing teams, embraces innovation and is curious about the opportunities presented by AI and emerging communications technologies.

Benefits

Comp & perks

20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation
Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more
Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours
Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future
Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one
Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal
Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave
24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services
One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you