Group Head of Media Relations

Group Head of Media Relations

Location: Westminster, London, GB, W1U 1QX

Onsite or Hybrid: Hybrid

Job Title: Group Head of Media Relations

Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF73288

Shape the national conversation around defence, security and trust

The role

As Group Head of Media Relations, you will lead and elevate Babcock’s engagement with UK national and top‑tier business media. This is a senior, high‑profile leadership role with responsibility for shaping the narratives that reinforce our reputation as a trusted partner to government, industry and society.

You will set the proactive and reactive media strategy, manage sensitive and complex stories, and act as a trusted adviser to the Executive Leadership Team. Operating in a regulated and fast‑moving environment, your work will influence public understanding, investor confidence and stakeholder trust helping to ensure that the importance of defence, aerospace and engineering is clearly understood.

This role offers significant scope to operate at the highest level, develop strategic influence and contribute directly to the long‑term strength of a FTSE 100 organisation with a national mission.

Day‑to‑day, you’ll be required to:

• Leading relationships with UK national, political and business media outlets
• Shaping proactive and reactive media strategies aligned to business priorities
• Advising the Executive Leadership Team on media risk, opportunity and narrative
• Managing complex, sensitive or high‑pressure media situations with sound judgement
• Driving high‑impact coverage that strengthens trust, credibility and reputation

This role is full time, 37.5 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with 2/3 days onsite and 2/3 days working from home.

Essential experience of the Group Head of Media Relations

• Extensive experience in UK national or business media relations at senior level
• Proven success managing sensitive reputational issues and complex narratives
• Strong news judgment, editorial instincts and exceptional writing skills
• Understanding of financial markets, regulation and corporate governance
• Ability to influence senior leaders and operate effectively under pressure

Qualifications for the Group Head of Media Relations

• Degree in communications, journalism or a related field, or equivalent senior‑level experience
• Professional membership such as CIPR or PRCA is desirable

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What we offer

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10‑days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading to buy or sell annual leave
• ‘Be Kind Day’ — one paid volunteering day each year
• Flexible working to support work‑life balance
• A dynamic, inclusive working environment

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header 'Reasonable adjustments requirement'. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

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