Head of Corporate Communications

Marks & Spencer is seeking an exceptional Head of Corporate Communications to lead compelling storytelling across our Food, Fashion, Home & Beauty and International businesses. The role entails shaping the corporate narrative, safeguarding reputation, and influencing key stakeholders such as media, investors, government and our customers.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver the corporate communications strategy across all business groups, ensuring a consistent and compelling narrative that supports business priorities.
• Drive proactive storytelling and create a steady drumbeat of impactful stories, campaigns and announcements that showcase the M&S transformation.
• Build engagement with media, investors, colleagues, government and wider stakeholders through targeted content.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing strategic counsel and media guidance in both planned and high-pressure situations.
• Lead crisis communications activity, oversee response to complex issues and high-profile media enquiries, and maintain robust governance and training processes to protect the brand.
• Represent M&S externally, influencing the narrative of one of the UK’s best-known retailers during a period of significant change.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and oversee a team responsible for corporate communications, internal communications and the M&S Press Office.

Qualifications & Experience

• Significant experience leading corporate communications within a large, complex, and high-profile organisation with a proven track record of strategy development and delivery.
• Exceptional media relations expertise, engaging national and business media at the highest level.
• Strong crisis and issues management capability with confidence to lead through complex situations.
• Outstanding storyteller, writer and editor who can translate complex business priorities into engaging communications for a broad audience.
• Experience partnering with and influencing senior leaders, providing trusted communications counsel, coaching and guidance to executive and leadership teams.
• Strong people‑leadership skills, building high‑performing teams, embracing innovation and exploring opportunities presented by AI and emerging communications technologies.

Desired Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinking with a focus on business impact.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate in a fast‑moving, high‑pressure environment.
• Collaborative mindset and inspiring leadership style.

Benefits

• 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third‑party brands for you and someone in your household (available after probation).
• Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
• Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and the organisation's.
• 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 the 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.

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work. We support each other in a culture of inclusion and provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where needed.