Head of Corporate Communications

Business Unit:  Strategy and Regulation

Requisition Number:  10102

About us

At National Grid, we are investing around £70bn over five years in our networks in the UK and the US, with a range of ground-breaking projects to expand our networks. We operate across six business units in the UK and the north-east of the US, with group revenue around £18bn.

Our strategy is focussed on delivering the brilliant basics to lead on performance, driving big shifts to define our future, and building our delivery credibility to drive disciplined growth.

We are now recruiting for a Vice President of Corporate Communications to lead a specialised team dedicated to managing and continuously improving our corporate and executive communications.

Job purpose

Reporting to the Director of Corporate Affairs, the person in this role will be responsible for developing and implementing a corporate communications strategy to strengthen National Grid’s reputation, ensuring consistent and effective corporate communications, including world-class media relations, executive communications, enterprise financial communications, and issues / crisis management.

This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with the Director of Corporate Affairs as we transform National Grid’s corporate affairs function into a world-class team that can play a critical role in the company’s strategic success.

This person will lead a high-performing team, and support and advise the CEO and other executive committee members on a broad range of communications matters, including issues management, corporate media relations, and financial communications.

Key accountabilities

• Drive development and implementation of an integrated and effective corporate communications strategy aligned to National Grid’s strategy and purpose
• Partner with relevant teams to set the Group messaging and tone of voice
• Lead Plc / UK Media Relations for maximum impact, building strong relationships and ensuring the organisation is known as connected and transparent with target media
• Own an annual corporate communications plan, including a strategic engagement approach for the CEO and Group Executive
• Collaborate with functional partners in Investor Relations, Company Secretary, and Sustainability to deliver world-class financial communications and company reporting
• Lead executive communications for the CEO and Chair, including speech writing
• Partner Public Affairs & Policy to ensure clear and consistent messaging to key audiences, that furthers National Grid’s policy aims
• Use reputation insight to monitor the effectiveness of activity, and refine and optimise external communications
• Role model effective use of AI – across identified use cases – as we continue to increase AI use in Corporate Affairs in service of both efficiency and effectiveness
• Play a central role in crisis communications, and act as a primary point of contact for UK media during crises
• Provide guidance, mentorship and performance management to media relations professionals in the UK, ensuring a high-performing team, and partner closely with US peers for high quality outcomes

Candidate profile

• Extensive experience in corporate communications and/or public relations in a large corporate environment, ideally in a regulated industry
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful communications strategies that enhance corporate reputation and stakeholder engagement
• Deep experience of media relations and crisis communications
• Financial communications experience in a plc
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a proven ability to develop a high-performing team
• Adept at building senior-level relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, up to CEO and Board level

More Information

Location: the role will be based in London, with the person on-site around 2-3 days per week on average.

Salary: competitive base salary plus commensurate benefits.

The role will close for applications on Monday 3rd August at 23:59 BST.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates – we make appointments purely on merit, assessed against objective selection criteria. We support flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process should you have any physical or mental impairment which may affect your ability to participate in the process.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

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