Head of External Communications

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Head of External Communications

Location: South East England (Crawley or Reading)
Reports to: Director of Communications

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 25th November 2026

We're looking for an exceptional external communications leader to elevate Thales UK's profile, strengthen our reputation and ensure our voice is heard in the conversations that shape our industries.

As Head of External Communications, you will lead all aspects of Thales UK's external communications agenda. You will be responsible for developing and delivering a proactive external communications strategy that enhances our reputation, increases our visibility and positions Thales as a leading voice across defence, security, technology and innovation.

This is a role centred on influence. You will build and maintain strong relationships across national, business, defence and technology media, identifying opportunities to tell compelling stories that showcase the impact of Thales, our people and our technologies.

Working closely with senior leaders and the UK Executive Committee, you will provide strategic counsel on reputation, stakeholder engagement and media relations, helping ensure Thales is represented consistently, credibly and effectively across external audiences.

Leading a talented team of communications professionals and agency partners, you will create and execute integrated external campaigns, drive thought leadership, elevate executive visibility, manage issues and crises, and ensure Thales remains at the forefront of key industry conversations.

For this role, we are seeking someone with a strong external communications and media relations background, ideally bringing the network, instincts and pace associated with a leading communications consultancy or agency environment, combined with the strategic judgement required to operate successfully within a complex and highly regulated organisation

What You'll Be Doing

Lead & Develop a High-Performing Team

• Lead, coach and develop a talented External Communications team.
• Create a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on delivering measurable impact.
• Set clear priorities, objectives and performance standards.

Shape External Reputation & Strategic Positioning

• Develop and deliver Thales UK's external communications strategy, aligned to business priorities and growth objectives.
• Build a compelling external narrative that strengthens visibility, influence and reputation.
• Advise senior leaders and Executive Committee members on media, reputation and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead external reputation management, issues management and horizon-scanning activities.

Drive Media Relations & Thought Leadership

• Lead media relations strategy, positioning Thales as a trusted voice across defence, technology, security and innovation.
• Leverage and grow an established network of national, business, technology and trade media contacts.
• Drive proactive media engagement, thought leadership and executive profiling programmes.
• Oversee integrated external campaigns, content strategies and major industry events, including DSEI.
• Identify opportunities to increase Thales' visibility and influence across key audiences.

Manage External Partnerships

• Lead relationships with PR, communications and media agencies.
• Ensure agency partners deliver high-quality work, measurable results and value for investment.

Lead Crisis & Issues Communications

• Oversee crisis communications preparedness and response.
• Provide expert counsel to senior leaders during high-profile or sensitive situations.
• Ensure Thales responds quickly, consistently and effectively to emerging issues.

You are an accomplished external communications leader with a passion for storytelling, reputation building and media engagement. You understand how to translate complex business priorities into compelling external narratives and know how to influence audiences through strategic communications and strong media relationships.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading External Communications, Media Relations or Corporate Affairs functions within a complex organisation, agency or consultancy environment.
• A strong track record of developing and delivering impactful external communications strategies.
• An extensive and active network of media contacts across national, business, technology, defence and trade publications.
• Proven success in generating high-quality earned media coverage and shaping public narratives on complex topics.
• Experience advising executives and senior leaders on media engagement, reputation and stakeholder communications.
• Strong reputation management, thought leadership and issues management expertise.
• Demonstrable experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams.
• Experience managing agencies and holding partners accountable for performance and results.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• The ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment while balancing multiple priorities.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions.  This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. 

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years.  In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
 

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

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