Head of Communications

Head of Communications, London, Permanent

At Pay.UK, communication isn't just about words, it's about influence, trust, and impact. We're looking for a visionary Head of Communications to define how we connect. This is your opportunity to craft the conversation that defines the future of payments.

In this role, you'll provide strategic leadership to a skilled team, building a creative and innovative communications function. You'll craft and deliver strategic short and long-term strategies that align with our vision and future goals.

Your objective? To develop the capabilities that will define Pay.UK's communications for years to come, through inspirational leadership, new ideas, and a consistent focus on innovation.

Key Accountabilities:

• Develop, own and deliver Pay.UK internal communication strategies and plans across all channels, ensuring consistent and impactful messages to promote Pay.UK brand, vision, culture and values and to enhance colleague engagement
• Develop, own and deliver the Pay.UK external communications and social media strategies, including engaging with the media, ensuring quality assurance and consistent messaging
• Responsible for and custodian of the Pay.UK brand and communications house styles ensuring a consistent and professional approach
• Responsible for specific Pay.UK marketing objectives, including those driven by regulators
• Act as the strategic and professional advisor to Executive Management and Board for internal and external communications (including business continuity and crisis management, media engagements and interviews, and ensuring Pay.UK spokespeople are fully briefed and trained)
• Responsible for the timely and impactful delivery of the communications plan and initiatives ensuring in alignment with Pay.UK strategy, culture and values
• Supervises the Communications team, advancing capabilities through strategic recruitment, staff development, and planning for future roles to assure the organisation builds robust communications and marketing skills
• Responsible for assessing and reporting the efficacy of Pay.UK communications internally and across the Payments ecosystem through the development of effective assessment measures and improvement action plans
• Coordinate and manage external suppliers to ensure seamless and co-ordinated delivery of all Pay.UK communications to time, quality and cost
• Manage the communications budget through effective commercial management of costs and external suppliers
• Participate in and support strategic projects and initiatives to enhance our strategic and transformation agenda.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Degree/Master's in a relevant field or equivalent experience
• Senior leadership experience in communications, marketing, PR, or branding (CIM/CIPR ideal).
• Solid experience in Financial Services, along with a deep understanding of regulations
• Proficiency in risk management within complex ecosystems
• A strategic leader with a keen commercial acumen and practical approach
• Proficient in communication, networking, and developing relationships
• Innovative, motivated, and results-driven with adept structured and decision-making ability
• Effective in demanding environments, team-oriented, and focused on delivering top results.

At Pay.UK, we value diversity and inclusivity. Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented groups may hesitate to apply unless they meet all the requirements listed. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of how closely their skills and experience match the requirements. We are committed to supporting accessibility needs and creating a welcoming environment for all employees. Become part of our team and contribute to the creation of an inclusive work environment that values everyone's unique input.

Who we are

Pay.UK maintains and develops the UK retail payment systems and standards that are core to the economy being able to function on a day-to-day basis.

From Bacs to Faster Payments and cheques – we act as the single operator for all UK retail payments. We put the needs of consumers and businesses at the heart of everything we do, working in the public interest to ensure that the systems the country relies on for its banking transactions are safe, open, innovative and resilient.

Our payment systems underpin the services that enable funds to be transferred between people and institutions. In 2024, the UK's retail payment systems processed 11 billion transactions worth over £10 trillion through Bacs Direct Credit, Direct Debit, Faster Payments, and cheques, and our Current Account Switch Service has facilitated over 9 million switches since it's launch in 2013.

Every day, individuals and businesses use the services we provide to get their salaries, pay their bills and make online and mobile banking payments. Our vision for the future is to enable a vibrant economy, with Pay.UK delivering the best-in-class payment infrastructure and standards for the benefit of consumers and businesses nationwide.

Benefits & Additional Information

• 12% Non-contributory pension
• Discretionary annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, health cash plan, dental insurance, Bupa medicals etc
• Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Annual fitness subsidy of up to £500 per annum
• Working from home policy - minimum 40% in the office (eg. 2 days in the office over a 5 day working week).

Please note:

• Some of our benefits are only available to colleagues upon successful completion of the probationary period.