External Communications Manager

Smiths Detection; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Smiths Detection is seeking a Communications Manager to lead media relations, thought leadership, social media strategy and agency management to strengthen our brand across global markets. Working at the intersection of communications, digital engagement, and AI-powered discovery channels, you will help ensure Smiths Detection remains visible, relevant, and influential within the global security industry.

This is a strategic yet hands-on role, ideal for an experienced communications professional

Qualifications

• Experience in Corporate Communications, External Communications or Public Relations.
• Proven success delivering B2B communications and thought leadership.
• Strong media relations and brand visibility track record.
• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Experience supporting senior leaders and executives.
• Agency management and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Ability to measure communications effectiveness with analytics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver external communications strategies aligned with business and brand objectives.
• Build narratives and thought leadership programmes to enhance reputation and market position.
• Drive proactive media engagement and cultivate relationships with journalists and industry influencers.
• Translate complex technical and regulatory topics into clear communications.
• Manage relationships with external PR and communications agencies.
• Support executive visibility through media engagement and external positioning.
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver integrated campaigns.

Skills

Corporate Communications

Public Relations

Media relations

Thought leadership

Writing & editing

Agency management

Analytics & reporting

SEO basics

Stakeholder engagement

AI search

Job description

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

Reporting to the Head of AI, Creative & External Communications, you will play a pivotal role in shaping how Smiths Detection is seen, heard, and understood across global markets.

As Communications Manager, you will lead media relations, thought leadership, social media strategy, agency management, and reputation-building initiatives that strengthen our brand and support our business objectives. Working at the intersection of communications, digital engagement, and emerging AI-powered discovery channels, you will help ensure Smiths Detection remains visible, relevant, and influential within the global security industry.

This is a strategic yet hands-on role, ideal for an experienced communications professional who combines strong storytelling and media expertise with a data-driven mindset and a passion for innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver external communications strategies aligned with business and brand objectives.
• Build compelling narratives and thought leadership programmes that enhance Smiths Detection's reputation and market position.
• Drive proactive media engagement and cultivate strong relationships with journalists, commentators, and industry influencers.
• Translate complex technical, regulatory, and security-related topics into clear and engaging communications.
• Manage and optimise relationships with external PR and communications agencies.
• Support executive visibility through media engagement and external positioning opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with internal communications, content, marketing, and creative teams to deliver integrated campaigns.

AI, Search & Digital Visibility

• Drive visibility across traditional search engines and emerging AI-powered search environments.
• Apply SEO, GEOand AEO principles to communications and content strategies.
• Monitor and improve how Smiths Detection is represented across search engines and AI platforms.
• Use data and insights to strengthen brand authority, discoverability, and audience engagement.

Social Media

• Develop and deliver social media strategies across LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.
• Own and manage the corporate social media content calendar.
• Partner with creative and content teams to develop engaging, video-led campaigns.
• Oversee social listening, governance, and reputation management processes.
• Analyse channel performance and continuously optimise content effectiveness and audience growth.

Measurement & Agency Performance

• Establish KPIs and performance frameworks across communications activities.
• Monitor media coverage, sentiment, share of voice, visibility, and engagement metrics.
• Hold external agencies and partners accountable for performance and delivery.
• Present actionable insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders.

About You

You are an experienced communications professional with the credibility, confidence, and commercial awareness to operate at both strategic and operational levels.

You'll bring

• Experience within Corporate Communications, External Communications, Public Relations, Corporate Affairs, or a similar discipline.
• Proven success developing and delivering B2B communications and thought leadership programmes.
• Strong media relations experience and a track record of increasing brand visibility and reputation.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Experience supporting senior leaders and executive communications.
• Strong agency management and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Experience measuring communications effectiveness through analytics and performance data.
• Knowledge of SEO and an understanding of how AI-driven search and discovery are reshaping communications and brand visibility.
• A proactive, innovative, and commercially minded approach to communications.
• Experience within a complex, regulated, technology, engineering, manufacturing, infrastructure, defence, or security-related environment would be advantageous.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to join Smiths Detection during a period of significant transformation and growth. You will have the opportunity to influence global communications strategy, work closely with senior leaders, and help shape the external reputation of a business that plays a critical role in making the world a safer place.

Additional Information

We offer…

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial andlifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.