Head of External Communications

We have been awarded the "Most Loved Workplace"! At Metro Bank, people come first - our culture is all about bringing out the best in our colleagues, and making sure everyone feels valued, respected, seen and included. We strongly believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace and to find the very best person for the job, we always look across a wide range of diverse communities.

What you will do:

1. As the Head of External Communications, you will be accountable for Metro Bank's media and public affairs, developing and implementing our integrated communications strategy and public affairs programme, aligned to our corporate and business objectives and priorities.
2. You will tell the Metro Bank story to raise the brand profile, creating confidence, driving understanding and awareness, and importantly, protecting the bank's reputation.
3. Develop and oversee a proactive external communication plan linked to internal communication and marketing activity, to ensure joined up thinking across external channels which amplify our key messages.
4. Promote the bank and its expertise - identifying potential stories, news hooks and opportunities for campaigns.
5. Create programmes of activity and campaigns that help us reach our corporate, commercial and operational objectives.
6. Anticipate, identify and prepare for issues that may have an impact on the bank.
7. Proactively provide insight, analysis and counsel to the CEO, Chairman, Executive Committee and leaders across the business, as well as building lasting relationships bank wide, and be across all important topics and anticipate any challenges.
8. Provide support to the Chief People Officer coordinating the ESG agenda, in particular social and sustainability content and actions.
9. Influence and secure support from key decision-makers on issues of importance.
10. Build and maintain Metro Bank's relationships with ministers, MPs, peers and other senior figures.
11. You will be the primary external spokesperson for Metro Bank when issues do arise and will lead on any external/media crisis communication activity.
12. Manage, coach, develop and drive the external comms team, ensuring a robust external comms function that supports the business, but that also responds quickly and effectively to media enquiries and customer issues.

And we are a bank so risk is a part of everything we do. We love people who take responsibility, do the right thing for customers, colleagues and Metro Bank and have the ability to call out any concerns.

What you will need:

1. Extensive experience of creating and delivering external communication strategies at a senior level within a financial services organisation, or other regulated environment.
2. Experience across the full external comms skill set including media relations, financial communications, stakeholder management (up to an including C-Suite and Board), public affairs, political analysis, ESG, crisis communication, issues management, consumer PR, and storytelling.
3. Comfortable engaging with all levels of an organisation as well as with a broad range of external stakeholders.
4. Confidence in giving your opinion, challenging in a constructive and solutions focused manner, and taking on feedback to come to appropriate solutions and the best outcomes.
5. Experience developing short, medium and long-term external communication plans, bringing creativity and fresh ideas, with confidence to constructively challenge the way things are done and proposing new initiatives.
6. Effective time management skills, these are critical and you should be comfortable working at pace, juggling multiple deadlines and projects (in a role of this nature you will also need to respond to last-minute requests).
7. Strong understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of different communication mediums and channels, comfortable with written, visual and video.
8. Strong ability to identify and highlight associated external communication risks, with experience in mitigation planning.
9. Ideally good understanding and working knowledge of listing rules and investor relations.
10. To understand the risks associated with your job and what that means for you, Metro Bank and all our stakeholders.

Our promise to you

1. We believe in "one in, one up" at Metro Bank, growing our own and promoting from within. That is why we are looking for YOU! An AMAZEING colleague to move into this FANtastic new role.
2. We will make sure that you are well-rewarded by providing you with a competitive salary, discretionary annual bonus, and a wide range of benefits, including generous holiday allowance, attractive pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, and a number of colleague discounts.
3. We will give you the training to ensure you succeed in your role and plenty of internal opportunities to progress your career (around 40% of our recruitment comes from internal promotions).
4. We are also all about balance so most of our jobs offer the opportunity for hybrid working built around your role and home life, wherever possible.

Diverse teams really are the best teams. We know that candidates (especially women, research tells us) may be put off applying for a job unless they can tick every box. We also know that 'normal' office hours aren't always doable, and while we can't accommodate every flexible working request we are happy to be asked. So if you are excited about working with us and think you can do much of what we are looking for but aren't sure if you are 100% there yet why not give it a whirl? Please note that sometimes we may close a job earlier for applications if we are inundated with amazing candidates. Good luck!