Head of Corporate Affairs

Yorkshire Building Society Group; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mutual society is seeking a Corporate Affairs & Communications leader to shape and protect its reputation. You will advise senior leaders, develop communications strategies, and lead stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in corporate communications at a senior level, strong media relations, and crisis management skills. This role offers competitive benefits and opportunities for personal development, as well as a commitment to inclusivity and flexibility.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Competitive bonus

Up to 11% pension contribution

Private medical insurance

Access to retail and hospitality discounts

Qualifications

• Proven experience in corporate communications at senior leadership level.
• Strong background in managing corporate reputation within complex contexts.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop a corporate communications strategy aligned with the Society’s goals.
• Lead messaging across multiple channels ensuring brand consistency.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and public affairs.

Skills

Corporate communications experience

Media relations expertise

Crisis management skills

Stakeholder engagement

Digital communications proficiency

Job description

Make a difference to our reputation, purpose and impact

We’re looking for an experienced Corporate Affairs & Communications leader to shape, protect and advance the Society’s reputation. In this exciting new role for the Society, you’ll be a strategic adviser to our CEO, Executive team and Board, ensuring our internal and external communications tell a consistent story about our purpose, strategy and longterm goals.

What you’ll be doing

• Own and deliver a comprehensive corporate communications strategy aligned to the Society’s strategy and business model developing our strategic narrative, thought leadership, and positioning.

• Lead Societylevel messaging across channels (press releases, speeches, publications and digital content) and ensure consistency everywhere our brand shows up.

• Build and manage strong media relationships; act as a senior spokesperson; lead our public affairs agenda with Westminster/Whitehall and regional stakeholders.

• Monitor policy and regulatory developments, advising leaders on implications; lead our advocacy with internal partners.

• Design and run crisis and issues management scenario planning, protocols and media training for senior leaders; coordinate crossfunctional responses.

• Lead stakeholder and community engagement (trade bodies, Government, NGOs, community groups) and communicate our purpose and sustainability proof points.

• Set the internal communications strategy leadership comms, town halls, announcements and employee campaigns that strengthen alignment, culture and engagement.

• Build and develop a high performing Corporate Affairs & Communications team; manage agencies; own budgets, KPIs and performance metrics; provide counsel to senior leadership and the Board on reputation matters.

About you

• Thorough experience in corporate communications / public affairs (with strong experience at senior leadership level), with a track record managing corporate reputation in complex or high profile contexts.

• Proven media relations experience (including acting as organisational spokesperson) and depth in crisis communications and issues management.

• Experience in regulated or politically sensitive environments is advantageous, alongside leadership of internal and change communications.

• Exceptional written and verbal skills; strategic thinker with strong business and political acumen; advanced stakeholder engagement and relationshipbuilding.

• High EQ, sound judgement, calm under pressure; a collaborative leader who builds teams and partners crossfunctionally.

• Confident with digital communications, social media strategy and analytics.

Values & ways of working

• Integrity, discretion and trustworthiness when handling sensitive information.

• Credible adviser to senior leaders; proactive, adaptable and solutionsoriented.

• A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and ethical communication.

About us

At YBS we don’t have shareholders, we have members. We care about people and that includes you. So here, you’ll be respected for who you are, you’ll be able to bring your whole self to work, and you’ll have everything you need to build a long and rewarding career.

Flexibility

We offer a range of flexible working options without unsocial hours, which can help you find a healthy work-life balance. Whether it’s finishing early for an appointment or fitting your studies and hobbies in around your working hours, we can help make it work for you. We’re happy to talk flexible working and you can reach out to us anytime during the recruitment process to discuss this.

Development

We want you to feel challenged here. Whatever your ambitions, we’re committed to helping you develop your skills and move ahead in your career journey. From day one, we’ll set you up for success with a brilliant induction and full training plan, all designed to get you up to speed quickly.

Inclusivity

We’re passionate about creating an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. If you’ll go the extra mile to help our members, you’ll fit right in and feel you belong here.

About our Benefits

We offer lots of fantastic rewards that you can make the most of in and out of work, including:

• Holiday. You’ll get 25 days plus Bank Holidays, as well as the option to buy up to a further 5 days.

• Bonus. A competitive bonus is offered in line with the accountability of the role

• Pension. We know how important it is to save towards the future, that’s why we’ll contribute up 11% into your YBS pension.

• Healthcare. Health and wellbeing are an important part of life at YBS, when you join us you’ll have access to a range of health benefits to suit your life including private medical insurance, dental and healthcare plans.

• My Benefits. When you join YBS you’ll have access to our self-service benefits portal, where you can access a of retail, hospitality and health discounts.

Ready to apply?

If you’re excited about this role and want to be part of the YBS team, click apply now to send us your application.

Want more information?

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Tazafia Mahmood on [e-mail]