Head of Communications
British & Irish Lions
Sporting Jobs are exclusively partnering with the British & Irish Lions to appoint a Head of Communications ahead of the inaugural Lions Women's Tour to New Zealand in 2027.
This is one of the most compelling communications appointments in world sport. The Lions is one of the most iconic brands in international rugby, bringing together the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to take on the southern hemisphere's finest. With the inaugural Women's Tour to New Zealand on the horizon, the organisation is entering a genuinely historic moment and they need an exceptional communicator to help shape and tell that story on a global stage.
Sporting Jobs has built a reputation for delivering executive search and recruitment solutions across the global sports industry, partnering with clubs, governing bodies, rights holders and brands to appoint outstanding talent. We are delighted to be leading this search exclusively on behalf of the Lions.
The successful candidate will form part of the tour party travelling to New Zealand in 2027.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Officer, the Head of Communications will lead all communications activity for the British & Irish Lions, with primary responsibility for the build-up to and delivery of the inaugural Lions Women's Tour.
This is a senior leadership role that combines strategic direction with hands-on delivery. One week you will be shaping the Lions' communications strategy and advising the executive team on reputation and messaging. The next you will be delivering press events, managing international media operations or briefing players and coaches ahead of a major announcement.
No two days will look the same and that is part of what makes this opportunity so rare.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Lions' communications strategy, ensuring it supports both the sporting objectives and commercial ambitions of the organisation
- Build and leverage a high-impact global sports media network to maximise reach, coverage and influence
- Lead and deliver the communications strategy for the inaugural Lions Women's Tour, including all tour-related media activity
- Define and execute corporate communications, PR strategy and crisis communications
- Direct media operations and the delivery of all major press events ahead of and during the tour
- Manage and strengthen relationships with rights-holder broadcasters and key media partners across the UK, Ireland and internationally
- Advise and brief the Chief Marketing Officer and senior leadership on all communications matters, risks and opportunities
- Lead media training programmes for players, coaches and senior staff
- Represent the Lions at high-profile events, stakeholder engagements and across the global media landscape
- Oversee alignment between communications, digital and social channels to ensure a consistent narrative across all owned and earned media
- Lead internal communications to ensure alignment across the organisation
- Establish clear KPIs and evaluate the impact of communications activity, reporting to the CMO
About You
You will already be operating at a senior level within sports communications or another high-profile, fast-moving environment. You will be comfortable advising executive leadership, managing complex stakeholder relationships and delivering under pressure, without losing sight of the bigger picture.
You will ideally bring:
- Significant experience in a senior communications, PR or media management role
- A proven track record of leading media relations and corporate communications at a high-profile level
- Experience as an organisational spokesperson and trusted adviser to senior leadership
- A strong and established media network across the UK, Ireland and ideally internationally
- Experience delivering communications around major events, tours or high-profile campaigns
- A genuine passion for women's sport and an understanding of the cultural significance of this moment for rugby
- The ability to operate with calm authority in a high-pressure, high-profile environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong attention to detail
Experience working directly with a women's sports team in a communications capacity would be a significant advantage, as would familiarity with the rugby media landscape and the Lions organisation specifically.
Why Apply
This is a once in a career opportunity to lead communications for one of sport's most iconic brands at a landmark moment in its history.
You will work alongside a passionate, high-performing team, advise at the most senior level and play a central role in introducing the Lions Women's Team to a global audience for the very first time.
The successful candidate will enjoy significant autonomy, the opportunity to shape a communications legacy that extends well beyond the tour itself, and the privilege of being part of a historic moment for women's rugby.
This role is being managed exclusively by Sporting Jobs. To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability. For a confidential conversation ahead of applying, please contact Max McClure at Sporting Jobs directly.
