Communications Lead

We are a global media group delivering exceptional content through events, digital, data & insight.

From agribusiness, ingredients and food processing, to retail, hospitality & fine dining - we provide the inspiration, insight and connections to power our customers' success.

This role will connect with colleagues across all global offices. It will be primarily based at our Gatwick office with Brighton and London as secondary hubs. Partial remote working is also welcomed, in line with our Agile Working Policy.

Position

Position: Full time (35hr per week)

Are you a strategic communicator who can craft compelling narratives and engage diverse audiences? Do you have a passion for internal and external communications that drive business impact?

At William Reed, we are looking for a Communications Lead to shape and deliver our corporate communications strategy. You will work closely with the CEO, senior leadership, editorial, commercial, and marketing teams to ensure our messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with our business goals. This role offers the opportunity to enhance our brand reputation, strengthen internal engagement, and support business transformation.

What you'll be doing:

• Work with the CEO and leadership team to develop and deliver a strategic communications strategy that ensures clear, consistent, and impactful messaging across all internal and external channels. Leverage insights and data to refine communication strategies for maximum impact.
• Lead communication efforts for transformation and change initiatives by developing messaging frameworks that support organisational change, cultural shifts, and our commitments to sustainability and DEI. Provide leadership teams with tools to communicate change effectively.
• Drive employee engagement through internal communications, intranet content, and campaigns. Support ERGs and oversee the Social Committee to foster a connected workplace.
• Enhance leadership visibility and engagement by developing strategic content for internal events, town halls, and leadership communications.
• Manage reputation and crisis communications, developing proactive strategies to protect the brand and ensure swift, effective responses.
• Strengthen corporate connectivity by fostering alignment and collaboration across teams through clear and transparent communication.
• Develop compelling narratives and content that reinforce our corporate identity, values, and commitments by crafting engaging stories for internal and external channels, including blogs, reports, and social media.
• Manage media relations and external communications by building relationships with key industry media, writing press releases, and leading PR campaigns that highlight corporate achievements, launches, acquisitions, and CSR initiatives. Support event communications for our industry-leading awards, conferences, exhibitions, and summits.
• Oversee and manage content for the corporate website and social media channels, ensuring alignment with brand messaging, employer value proposition, business objectives, sustainability goals, and DEI initiatives.

Requirements

What you'll need:

• Proven experience in corporate communications, PR, or journalism, ideally within media, publishing, or B2B industries.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives for different audiences.
• Strong media relations experience, with an established network in the food, drink, or hospitality sectors (preferred).
• Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate effectively across teams.
• Experience in crisis communications and reputation management.
• A strategic thinker with a proactive approach to execution.

Company Benefits Include:

• 25 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays - increasing by one additional day after 6 years, up to a maximum of 30 days.
• An additional day of leave for you to take on a cultural celebration day or on your birthday if you like. A day for you! At William Reed, we call this our "MeDay".
• A volunteer day to take for supporting a chosen charity and giving back to the community.
• Opportunity for hybrid working
• Contributory Pension
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Group Income Protection
• Enhanced family-friendly leave pay entitlements
• Wellbeing benefits, including: A health care cash plan, Employee assistance programme, Virtual GP service and Access to health & wellbeing resources and tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme

Why work for us

We provide a supportive work environment and are committed to maintaining a healthy work/life balance for all of our employees. Working for William Reed means that you will be joining a stable organisation that is committed to developing its employees and brands.

We warmly welcome and encourage applications from talented individuals of all backgrounds and characteristics.

If you need any support in accessing this opportunity, please do not hesitate to discuss this with us.