Head of Communications

CBI (Confederation of British Industry); Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent business advocacy organization in London is seeking a Press Office Leader to manage their high-profile press operations. In this hybrid role, you will drive effective communication strategies, engage with the media, and enhance the organization's reputation. Ideal candidates will have experience in press office management, strong editorial skills, and a proven track record in delivering successful communications. This opportunity offers a salary of £65-70K per annum and the chance to make a significant impact within the organization.

Qualifications

• Experience leading or working in a busy press office.
• Track record of developing successful communications that drive engagement.
• Confident in engaging with journalists.

Responsibilities

• Run CBI’s busy press office effectively.
• Proactively manage media relationships and reputation.
• Design and deliver impactful multi-channel communications.

Skills

Strong editorial and copywriting skills

Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills

Demonstrable leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills

Ability to analyse complex information

Good team player and collaborative colleague

Job description

You will play a pivotal role in managing and sustaining our external voice – carving out a distinctive voice, driving thought leadership, and influencing the national conversation on the issues that matter most to business.

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for someone who thrives on news, politics, and the fast-moving media landscape. You’ll lead a high-profile press operation at the heart of UK business advocacy, ensuring the CBI’s message cuts through across traditional and digital channels. From shaping proactive campaigns to handling rapid responses in a dynamic political environment, you’ll be at the forefront of reputation management and strategic communications.

Reporting to the Director of Campaigns and Communications, and working closely with senior leaders and collaborating across public affairs, marketing, and policy teams, you’ll help deliver impactful, multi-channel communications that resonate with diverse audiences. This role offers exposure to the CBI’s senior management and policy experts, giving you a unique vignette on the issues shaping the UK economy.

Based at our London headquarters in Cannon Place (above Cannon Street station), this hybrid role combines flexibility with the buzz of a fast-paced, influential environment. If you bring energy, creativity, and a passion for shaping the public narrative, this is your chance to make a real impact.

This role is a Pay band 3, with a pay range of £65-70K per annum, dependent on experience, alongside a generous benefits package as detailed here: https://www.cbi.org.uk/about-us/cbi-careers/

To apply for the role, please send your CV and a short covering letter setting out your suitability for the role to [e-mail] by 9am on 12 January.

Key Responsibilities

Running the CBI’s busy press office

• Responsible for ensuring that we have an agile, creative and innovative approach to managing the media and CBI reputation
• Proactively identifying and reacting to media moments that position the company as a leading voice
• Working to maintain the CBI’s position as the largest market share of voice in media coverage among its B5 peers
• Proactively managing the media grid within the framework of wider campaign and organisational plans
• Boosting influencing messages and media coverage via social media content
• Writing, advising on and subbing press releases, articles, statements, first-person pieces and CBI materials for publication in the media and on the CBI website
• Briefing journalists – print and broadcast, national and trade - on all CBI issues
• Advising senior staff on media handling, including crisis management, and identifying opportunities to develop colleagues to become more adept media performers
• Evaluating and reporting on the CBI’s media impact and making proposals for continuous improvement

Designing and delivering impactful multi-channel communications

• Working closely with the Director of Campaigns & Communications, act as a partner to the CEO and leadership team‑advising on messaging, media engagement, and thought leadership opportunities.
• Working with a wide range of key stakeholders, including the CEO, President, directors, regional directors and policy, events, commercial development and marketing teams to achieve clear outcomes which deliver consistency, clarity, appropriateness and maximum impact of key organisational messages and protect the CBI brand
• Work closely with colleagues in marketing, policy and public affairs to develop and deliver the CBI’s influencing campaigns
• Bring creativity and expert communications insight to translate complex policy into impactful messaging and campaign tactics

Leading a motivated, effective team

• Manage and motivate a busy, effective team
• Support and invest time in ensuring team wellbeing and effective professional development for team members

Knowledge & Experience

What an individual must know or understand to be able to fulfil the role’s requirements

• Experience leading or working in a busy press office
• Track record of developing and implementing successful communications that drive engagement and measurable results
• Confident talking to journalists and selling in stories
• Sound judgement and good news sense
• Up-to-date on the changing media landscape and able to advise on channel choice for different messages

Skills

• Strong editorial and copywriting skills
• Can robustly analyse complex information or data, drawing on the relevant expertise of self or others
• Demonstrable leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills
• Highly organized and calm under pressure with a proven track record of managing competing demands to tight deadlines.
• You think big, see the bigger picture, and know how to align communications strategies with business objectives.
• Good team player and collaborative colleague