PR and Corporate Communciations Lead

Spotlight Recruitment; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle to Work scheme

Electric Car scheme

Retail discounts

Hybrid working (3 days in Reading, 2 w

30 days' annual leave + BH

Job summary

Spotlight Recruitment is supporting a leading UK infrastructure organisation to appoint a Head of Corporate Affairs, PR & Communications during a period of growth and transformation. You will own the corporate narrative, advise on reputation, crisis management, media engagement and executive communications across internal and external audiences.

The role requires strategic leadership, strong political and commercial awareness, and the ability to influence at the highest levels while delivering a

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level experience in Corporate Affairs, Public Relations or Corporate Communications.
• Proven track record managing complex reputation and stakeholder challenges.
• Experience advising executive teams in high-pressure environments.
• Demonstrated success leading crisis and issues management programmes.
• Background in regulated, infrastructure, technology, utilities or similar high-profile sectors advantageous.
• Public affairs and stakeholder management experience and understanding of community engagement and communications planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead external communications, reputation management and corporate affairs strategy.
• Oversee media relations, agency management and proactive communications programmes.
• Advise senior executives on reputation, crisis management and media engagement.
• Develop strategic communications plans across internal and external audiences.

Skills

Senior-level experience

Reputation management

Executive advisory

Crisis management

Regulated sector experience

Public affairs

Stakeholder management

Job description

PR & Corporate Communications Lead | Hybrid, 3 days Reading - up to £92k + bonus

Our client, a leading UK infrastructure organisation, is entering a major phase of growth and transformation. With new markets opening up and a wave of innovation underway, they're looking for a Head of Corporate Affairs, PR & Communications to lead its external communications, reputation management, stakeholder engagement and corporate affairs agenda during a period of significant growth and transformation.

This is a high-profile leadership role for a communications professional who thrives in complex, highly visible environments and can confidently navigate media scrutiny, stakeholder expectations, regulatory challenges and reputational risk.

Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will be responsible for developing and delivering a strategic communications programme that enhances corporate reputation, strengthens stakeholder relationships and supports the organisation's long-term objectives.

The Opportunity

As the organisation's most senior communications specialist, you will own the corporate narrative and provide expert counsel on reputation, crisis management, media engagement and executive communications.

As PR Corporate and Communications Lead you will lead the development of proactive communications strategies while ensuring the business remains prepared to respond effectively to emerging issues, operational challenges and external scrutiny. The role demands sound judgement, political awareness and the ability to influence at the highest levels.

This senior leadership role is responsible for developing and delivering a comprehensive corporate affairs, communications and public relations strategy that enhances organisational reputation, strengthens stakeholder relationships and supports business objectives.

The successful candidate will lead media relations, agency management and proactive communications programmes while overseeing reputation management, crisis preparedness and responses to complex or high-profile issues. They'll drive engagement with communities, public sector organisations, industry bodies and strategic partners, while also providing strategic direction for internal communications and employee engagement. Acting as a trusted adviser to senior executives, they will shape leadership communications, support major corporate announcements and ensure consistent corporate messaging.

The role also carries responsibility for measuring communications effectiveness, providing insight into stakeholder sentiment and demonstrating the value of communications activity in supporting business performance, reputation and risk management.

Who are you?

The successful candidate will possess exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, compelling messages for a range of audiences. They will be calm, credible and decisive under pressure, demonstrating strong political and commercial awareness alongside excellent judgement. A natural relationship builder, they will have a proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, cultivate trusted partnerships and navigate complex stakeholder environments. Strategic in their thinking and meticulous in their approach, they will be comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-profile settings where agility, resilience and attention to detail are essential.

• Significant senior-level experience within Corporate Affairs, Public Relations, Corporate Communications or related disciplines.
• Proven track record managing complex reputation and stakeholder challenges.
• Experience advising executive teams and senior leaders in high-pressure environments.
• Demonstrated success leading crisis and issues management programmes.
• Background within regulated, infrastructure, technology, utilities or similarly high-profile sectors would be advantageous.
• Public affairs and stakeholder management experience and understanding of community engagement and communications planning.
• Competitive salary + strong bonus structure
• 30 days' annual leave + BH
• Hybrid working (3 days in Reading Office, 2 days wfh)
• Cycle to Work scheme, Electric Car scheme, retail discounts

Spotlight Recruitment is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Our focus is to ensure we're inclusive every day, helping our clients to recruit and build organisations that reflect modern society and celebrate diversity in all its forms. We want our candidates to feel that they belong and can be their best, regardless of background, identity or culture and we especially welcome applications from under-represented groups. If you need any adjustments to support your application, such as information in alternative formats or special requirements for accessibility, please contact us and we'll do everything we can to help. We are committed to supporting candidates who may need alternative arrangements. This information will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of determining any adjustments you may need for the interview process.

We are required to verify that candidates and employees meet the eligibility criteria to reside and work in the location specified. Unfortunately, we cannot offer visa sponsorship for candidates requiring a work permit in this location.