‍About The organisation:

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Ellwood Atfield is proud to partner with High Speed 2 (HS2 Ltd), the organisation delivering Britain’s new high-speed railway between London and the Midlands, one of the UK’s largest infrastructure programmes. As well as improving rail capacity, HS2 will shorten journey times between a number of Britain’s major population centres, boost the economy and create thousands of jobs.

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HS2 Ltd is making good progress in resetting the programme, with a renewed focus on delivery discipline, cost control and ensuring every pound spent delivers value for the taxpayer. As this essential part of the national rail network takes shape, communicating that story, honestly and confidently, to the public, media, Parliament and Government, has never mattered more.

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The opportunity:

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HS2 Ltd is seeking a Head of Media to provide strategic leadership across its Media Relations and Digital Media and Content teams, ensuring delivery of the External Affairs Directorate’s (EAD) communications and engagement plan. The role supports the business in achieving its goals in a highly regulated and highly scrutinised environment, through effective engagement with external media and HS2’s own digital channels.

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Reporting to the External Affairs Director and sitting on the EAD Leadership Team, the Head of Media will lead a team of 11 which is split across media, digital media and content, and will provide guidance and direction to the EAD Director, CEO, HS2 Executive Committee, Chair and Senior Leadership Team on media relations and digital media activity.

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This is a rare opportunity for an experienced media leader to shape how one of the UK’s most nationally significant infrastructure programmes is understood, at a pivotal moment in its delivery.

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Main responsibilities:

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• Develop and lead the media relations and digital media function for HS2, ensuring full alignment with the wider communications and engagement programme.

• Work with the External Affairs Director and EAD Leadership Team to develop and deliver a comprehensive external communications and engagement programme for HS2.

• Oversee all media relations and digital media activity, leading the team to deliver it on time, on budget and to a high standard.

• Ensure the programme of press and digital media activity has the correct sign-off, within the business and, where appropriate, with the Department for Transport (DfT) and other third parties.

• Build strong relationships with senior executives, directors and colleagues, providing counsel and working collaboratively to ensure best practice across communications and engagement.

• Oversee a programme of media training for the CEO, Chair and selected members of the Senior and Delivery Leadership Teams.

• Implement the major incident communications plan as required, including out-of-hours media duties.

• Evaluate the performance of the communications and engagement programme with the External Affairs Director, driving a constant cycle of learning and improvement.

• Lead, develop and motivate a high-performing team of strategic communications professionals, with clear personal and development objectives for each.

• Determine, agree and manage the operational budget for the media relations and digital media team

• Develop, deliver and review policies and procedures for the media relations and digital media strategy.

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Key skills and experience required:

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• Significant leadership experience in media relations, digital media, corporate communications or a related field, ideally within a high-profile, highly scrutinised or politically sensitive environment.

• Experience operating at a senior level in the day-to-day running of a busy press office and/or digital media team.

• A track record of leading the development, delivery and measurement of media relations and digital media strategies and integrated communications campaigns.

• Experience delivering corporate communications in a political environment, with a strong understanding of government and Parliamentary processes.

• Proven ability to lead and develop people, building high-performing, motivated teams.

• Experience creating and tailoring persuasive content for a diverse set of communications channels, both on and offline.

• Experience delivering crisis management and/or major incident communications.

• Strong political awareness, sound judgement, and the confidence to work with ambiguity and shifting circumstances.

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Benefits:

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• 25 days' holiday allowance

• Competitive pension scheme

• Income protection

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Healthcare cash plan

• Wellbeing and occupational health services

• Plus further excellent benefits

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HS2 Ltd is helping to create a national skills legacy and developing a diverse range of talent. We aim to create a safe and inclusive working environment for all our staff - living our values of Safety, Respect, Integrity and Leadership.

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How to apply:

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To apply, please submit your application using the link below and include a copy of your CV.

Application deadline: Wednesday 12th August 2026 at 17:00.

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Ellwood Atfield is the leading headhunter for corporate affairs, communications, policy, and advocacy. An employee-owned boutique search firm, we help you hire the most senior leaders and everyone who reports to them. We promise to connect talented people, smoothly and efficiently.

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Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are an equal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession to ensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.

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