External Communications Manager

External Communications Manager, Permanent, London

Join Pay.UK as our External Communications Manager and help make complex payments, policy and regulatory work clear for the people and organisations who rely on it. This is a leadership role for an experienced communications professional who wants broad channel ownership, a small team to guide, and work connected to services used across the UK every day.

You’ll shape external communications across press, PR, social media, events and e-communications for the organisation that operates Bacs, Faster Payments and the Image Clearing System. With 11 billion transactions worth over £10 trillion processed through the UK’s retail payment systems annually, this role offers a clear and meaningful context for high-quality, well-judged communications.

Accountabilities

• Develop and deliver Pay.UK’s external communications strategy across media, social channels, events and digital communications.
• Translate policy, regulatory and technical activity into clear external messages, statements, briefings and campaign content for different audiences.
• Oversee press and PR efforts, including media relations, reactive statements, forward planning, and coordination with agencies.
• Oversee Pay.UK’s social media content and channel plans, ensuring communications are clear, accessible and aligned with organisational priorities.
• Plan communications for conferences, speeches, briefings and hosted events, including messaging, materials and media opportunities.
• Prepare senior leaders and spokespeople with key messages, Q&As, speeches and media briefing materials.
• Manage reputational and issues communications, including external responses and input to crisis planning where required.
• Work closely with Policy, Public Affairs, Stakeholder Engagement and Internal Communications to deliver joined-up plans and consistent messaging.
• Guide and support two team members, provide direction, maintain quality, and help them develop in their roles.
• Monitor media, social and engagement results and use insight to improve future communications activity.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Experience managing external communications across press, PR, social media, events and digital channels.
• Experience translating complex policy, regulatory or technical information into clear, audience-appropriate external communications.
• Experience supporting senior leaders with strategic communications advice and preparing briefings, statements, speeches and Q&A materials.
• Experience handling reputational and issues communications within a regulated or otherwise complex organisational environment.
• Experience managing and developing team members, including providing direction, feedback and coaching.

Pay.UK Behaviours

At Pay.UK, our behaviours are central to who we are and how we operate. They bring our values to life, shape our culture, and guide how we make decisions, collaborate, and respond to challenges across the payments ecosystem. All interview processes will assess the following behaviours:

• Listen to Find Win-Wins - Empathy, Listening and Understanding
• Influence with Courage - Influence, Courage
• Go Horizontal First - Cross Boundary Collaboration
• Take Ownership - Self Development
• Opportunity Mindset - Initiative
• Simplify - Achievement Orientation

 

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Inclusivity

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.

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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 robust payment infrastructure and standards for the benefit of consumers and businesses nationwide.

Learn more about life at Pay.UK by hearing what employees have to say, click here to view videos.

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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 after meeting the requirements of the probationary period.