Senior Financial Communications Manager

Lead the Pensions Board's external voice and media presence, shaping clear, impactful communications on key financial and ethical investment issues. Partnering closely with senior leaders, you'll drive strategic messaging, manage high-profile media relationships, and enhance the organisation's reputation and influence.

Within the Communications directorate, the Financial communications team handles external and press communications for two separate legal entities- the Church Commissioners and the Pensions Board - and works with other parts of the wider organisation to support with communications matters related to Finance.

This senior role within the team is focused on explicitly supporting the Pensions Board.

About the Pensions Board

The Pensions Board provides retirement services to those who serve or work for the Church. Both a regulated pension fund and registered charity, more than 43,000 people rely on the us for their pensions. A leader in ethical and responsible investment, we carefully steward the £3.5bn of pension savings entrusted to us to not only grow our members' pensions, but also to drive systemic and lasting change across the industries and sectors in which we invest for a just and sustainable word. The Pensions Board is globally recognised for its leadership role on Responsible Investment and recently set out five new ethical and responsible investment priorities that will shape its approach over the coming decade. The Pensions Board also supports 2,300 retired clergy with housing, including managing a national portfolio of 1,200 rented homes and Community Living options, and (from 2026) supports members across their working life with financial wellbeing services.

This advert closes for applications on Thursday 16 July 2026

First round interviews and screening assessments will take place on Thursday 23 July 2026 at Church House, Westminster

Second round interviews will take place on Thursday 11 August 2026 at Church House, Westminster

This role serves as the strategic lead on media, and external communication matters for the Pensions Board, advising and working with senior leaders to propose, develop and execute well thought through proactive and reactive communication strategies to realise delivery of our biggest priorities

It is a hybrid and matrix role. The role holder will work within the NCIs' multi-disciplinary national Communications team ensuring the Board's external communications response is resilient, best practice and well-planned while also taking a steer on initiatives and the handling of key topics from leaders within the Pensions Board. Being able to influence and engage with senior leaders from multiple expert disciplines will be absolutely essential.

Your day-to-day reporting line for key work objectives is to the Director of Strategy & Engagement in the Pensions Board. Professional development and formal line management will be undertaken by the Head of Financial Communications in the NCI's Comms team.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Collaboration
* Be the primary 'lead' press contact for key stakeholders at the Pensions Board, with a particular focus on ethical and Responsible Investment.
* Lead the development of external media plans to support delivery of the Board's objectives, aligning these with customer communications and stakeholder plans being formed within the Board, working closely with the Customer Communications Manager and Engagement colleagues in Housing and Pensions
* Work as part of the Financial Communications team to manage the relationship with the Ethical Investment Advisory Group,
* Proactively initiate, build and manage complex relationships with key financial and specialist journalists who cover the work of the Pensions Board, strengthening the Board's media presence.
* Work with the digital communications team to initiate social media content for the Pensions Board, including establishing and managing the Board's LinkedIn presence.

Communications planning/proactive comms
* Initiate and sustain effective external communications planning on a monthly and annual basis. This includes setting clear objectives to enhance effectiveness, close gaps and prioritising 'media' requests across Pensions Board teams.
* Be responsible for the development and delivery of key KPIs assessing media performance, and external reach, reporting to the Pensions Board's Director of Strategy & Engagement.
* Put in place a robust comms calendar
* Shape and author messaging ahead of anticipated media interest with an aim to grow the influence of the Pensions Board.
* As a trusted and savvy communications expert, advise internal stakeholders in the development and communication of their core messaging, especially on key projects and initiatives.
* Proactively identify and realise PR opportunities for the Pensions Board aligned to the Board's delivery plan, key strategic projects and making the most of opportunities with wider Church networks.

Reactive comms
* Monitor press coverage and distribute to internal contacts
* Respond professionally to media enquiries from news organisations, including the rapid development of agreed responses to media enquiries, seeking counsel from the Head of Financial Communications to enhance the response. Staying calm under pressure will be essential.
* Field media requests for interviews, photo calls, events, and similar.
* Support with media training and photo shoots for internal stakeholders, including working with and coaching colleagues (at all levels) to enhance their confidence with media exposure.

Content and events
* Identify and organise relevant speaking, conference and award opportunities, including speech writing where needed.
* Collaborate on the production of the PB's annual review, Stewardship Report and other reports - liaising with internal stakeholders, collating and editing content, working with the design agency, and managing budget
* Initiate, manage and maintain excellent relationships with external suppliers and design agencies, including instilling clear standards for delivery.
 

Essential
Knowledge/Experience
* Knowledge of pensions and investments industry, including regulatory landscape
* Interest in responsible and ethical investment
* Significant experience of financial communications, including authoring content, developing strategies for engagement and communications planning.
* Significant experience of working with media including working with and managing relationships with journalists.
* Track record of delivering text and work to spec and on time
* Experience of influencing and working with stakeholders to director level, with proven experience of building trusted 'advisory' relationships.
* Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary communications team, and balancing the needs of different stakeholders.
* Understand the Board's fiduciary duty to its members, maintaining strict boundaries on confidential information as and when required.
* Journalistic or communications experience within a high-profile organisation

Skills & Abilities:
* Excellent writing skills
* Good time-management
* Strong interpersonal skills
* Good attention to detail and an eye for good design
* Able to balance strategic and tactical delivery
* Self-starting and organising, with a track record in effective prioritisation of communication deliverables.
* High level of emotional intelligence and personal/professional resilience.

Qualifications & Training:
* Relevant qualifications in media or public relations, with a commitment to ongoing professional development e.g. through CIPR or equivalent.

Desirable
* Existing network among journalists
* Experience within the charitable services sector.
* Knowledge of the Church of England and/or the work of the Pensions Board