Head of News

Are you an expert in news media relations and crisis communication? Do you have a deep understanding of the evolving media landscape?

We’re seeking a Head of News, to shape and steer Virgin’s news communications strategy, whilst ensuring that our narrative is effectively communicated to the public in a distinctly Virgin way.

This role covers core areas of the business, including Virgin Group, Virgin Red, Virgin Trains Ticketing and Virgin StartUp, whilst working closely with other Virgin companies around the world.

Are you ready to immerse yourself in a globally recognised brand? If so, then this is the role for you!

Our Virgin Family

Join the Virgin Group – a diverse collective driving change, enhancing customer experience, and having a blast. We're daring, disrupting industries from finance to space, united as part of the Virgin Family.

Virgin Management, the heart of Virgin, nurtures the brand globally. Our diverse, 180-strong team in London and New York, supports every facet of the Virgin Group, including Virgin Unite, our entrepreneurial foundation, and Virgin StartUp, empowering UK entrepreneurs. Working in synergy with various Virgin companies globally, our interests are as diverse as travel, health, music, media, finance, and space. Our unique work culture and purpose unite us. And we have Virgin Red, which rewards customers by making their everyday, extraordinary. Members can earn Virgin Points with Virgin companies and across a vast partner network, unlocking everyday rewards and exclusive experiences.

Tell me more

News Media Strategy:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive news media strategy that aligns with Virgin’s goals and values.
• Proactively engage with journalists, editors, and news outlets to secure positive and impactful coverage.

Corporate Narrative:

• Steer the development and maintenance of a consistent and compelling corporate narrative, aligned with Virgin’s identity.
• Drive the implementation of our leadership profiling strategy, actively seeking opportunities to raise the leadership voice.

Crisis Communication Leadership:

• Develop and implement robust crisis communication plans to effectively manage and mitigate reputational risks.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson during critical situations, providing clear and transparent communication.

Media Relations Excellence:

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key journalists, media influencers, and corporate communication professionals.
• Drive efforts to secure positive media coverage for Virgin’s key campaigns and initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure alignment in messaging and communications strategies.
• Provide strategic counsel to leadership on media-related matters.

Content Development:

• Oversee the creation of high-quality content for news releases, statements, and other materials.
• Ensure that content is tailored to different news outlets and effectively communicates key messages.

Performance Metrics:

• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and impact of news communications efforts.
• Provide regular reports on media coverage, sentiment, and trends to senior leadership.

What you’ll need

• Proven experience in a senior role in media relations, with a focus on news and corporate affairs.
• Strong understanding of the news media landscape and corporate communication best practices.
• Crisis communication experience, the ability to navigate high pressure situations and respond quickly and effectively to breaking news.
• Excellent relationships with a range of media outlets.
• Extensive experience of news hijacking and an ability to control a news agenda via pro-active and robust communications responses.
• Experience of leading complex project teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management, including senior leadership teams.

The extra details

Role type: Permanent

Location: London hub & your home space

Working hours: Full time - we embrace flexible working. Let us know what hours empower you to be at your best both professionally and personally, we’ll try to find a perfect match for you and us.

Benefits: Dive into a fast-paced, evolving workspace, where your hard work and dedication is rewarded. Fancy unlimited holidays and weekly yoga? That's the Virgin way. We champion inclusion, wellbeing, and purposeful points strategies. Further benefits include flexible working, healthcare, dental schemes, pension contributions and an employee rewards scheme.

Closing date: 13 May 2024

Some of the attributes that define a Virgin person just can’t be quantified in words. We pride ourselves on welcoming people from all walks of life, with all sorts of skill sets. Most recently, we successfully campaigned to add ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ as a skill on LinkedIn. Any uniqueness is a strength and will be considered an asset to our workforce. If there is something you would like us to consider, to tailor the hiring process to the way you work best, please don’t hesitate to let us know. 

Excited to make each day rewarding? We'd love to learn more about you!