Director of Corporate Communications & Sustainability

This role is a pivotal leadership position responsible for defining and executing a renewed Corporate Communications, Public Affairs & Sustainability strategy for AXA UK. Setting the external narrative for the Market, strengthening AXA’s position with government, regulators, industry bodies and media, whilst also embedding a consistent, insight-led corporate reputation strategy across all business lines.

As Director of Corporate Communications & Sustainability, you’ll lead a newly created, integrated Corporate Communications & Sustainability function, bringing together Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Public Affairs, ESG/Sustainability, Executive Communications and Reputation Management under a single, senior strategic leader. Reporting into the Chief Customer and Communications Officer, you’ll set the ambition, standards and governance for how AXA UK&I shows up externally at a Group, Market and Business Unit level.

The role operates across the entirety of AXA UK, including our Commercial, Health and Retail Business Units, providing a unifying corporate narrative and integrated reputation strategy for the whole UK market.

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) in the future. Away from home means either attendance at one of our office locations, visiting clients or attending industry events.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the newly created Corporate Communications and Sustainability team, developing an integrated campaigning mindset across External Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability.
• Create and lead a bold, insight-driven UK Corporate Communications strategy that shapes AXA’s external market narrative, proactively positions AXA on national issues, and delivers integrated campaigns
• Work closely with the Head of Sustainability to deliver AXA UK ambition, ensuring regulatory alignment, clear governance, integrated reporting and a strong external narrative that positions AXA as a credible, responsible business across climate, inclusion, responsible investment and societal impact.
• Own AXA UK’s external influence strategy: shaping public policy, managing relationships with government, regulators and industry bodies, and advising the chief Customer and Communication officer, CEO and MC on political, economic and regulatory developments that affect the business.
• Define and drive AXA UK’s corporate reputation strategy, including how we position AXA in the UK insurance market, how we communicate our transformation agenda, and how we differentiate ourselves versus the competitive landscape.
• Ensure UK alignment with global strategy, governance requirements, reporting expectations and corporate positioning. Shape how AXA UK contributes to and influences group wide initiatives, embedding global frameworks while tailoring to local market context. Serve as a trusted partners to group leadership on strategic issues, major announcements and global campaigns
• Lead all proactive and reactive media activity, including national media, financial media, sector press and policy commentary.
• Oversee horizon scanning, reputational risk assessment and Group alignment. Lead complex issues, manage sensitive and politically significant communications, and ensure AXA’s crisis preparedness and response capability is best-in-class.
• Represent AXA externally at senior levels including industry forums, regulatory roundtables, parliamentary briefings and ESG platforms. Build strong, influential networks that position AXA as a trusted leader in the sector.
• Embed robust ESG reporting standards, working closely with Group Sustainability. Lead the integration of climate, social and governance metrics into corporate reporting, stakeholder disclosures and narrative ESG communications.
• Harnessing New AI Technologies for Reputation, Content & Search Visibility – Lead the strategic adoption of emerging AI, digital and search technologies across the Corporate Communications and Sustainability function.

Due to the number of applications we expect to receive for this role, we reserve the right to close this advert earlier than the listed closing date to ensure we’re able to effectively manage interest. Therefore, if you’re interested in joining us at AXA, please don’t hesitate to apply.

What you’ll bring:

• Extensive senior-level expertise in corporate communications, public affairs, media relations, sustainability and reputation management, operating at C-suite and Board level within a complex, regulated environment — ideally insurance or financial services.
• Proven track record advising CEOs and senior executives on high-risk, high-profile reputational issues, providing strategic counsel on political, regulatory, ESG and corporate matters.
• Deep experience developing and delivering Sustainability and reputation strategies, including governance structures, regulatory reporting, climate disclosures and stakeholder engagement at senior levels.
• Exceptional reputation leadership capability, including horizon scanning, reputation risk management, scenario planning and directing responses to politically sensitive or complex external issues.
• Established credibility and authority to influence external agendas and shape debate through strong relationships with senior journalists, political stakeholders, regulators, industry bodies, and by representing AXA UK as a visible ambassador at key external events, forums, and government roundtables.
• Highly developed executive communications and media handling skills, including managing complex announcements, high-stakes interviews, issues responses and major strategic programmes.
• Extensive experience in matrix leadership, working across multiple divisions — Commercial, Health, Retail and Group — influencing outcomes without direct control and delivering alignment on enterprise priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver integrated corporate communications and sustainability strategies that strengthen reputation, support business transformation and drive measurable outcomes.
• Excellent team leadership, with experience building high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams across communications, sustainability, public affairs and reputation; setting direction, coaching senior talent and establishing high standards.
• Strong commercial and strategic acumen, with the ability to connect external environment insight, political/regulatory change, reputational impact and business strategy.
• Advanced understanding of emerging communications technologies, including AI-powered search, content production tools, media intelligence platforms and digital influence techniques — with the ability to translate these into strategic advantage.

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

What we offer:

At AXA UK, we’re appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:

• Competitive annual salary
• Annual company & performance-based bonus
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions)
• Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary)
• Private medical cover
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave
• Wellbeing services & resources
• AXA employee discounts

To apply, click on the ‘apply for this job’ button, you’ll then need to log in or create a profile to submit your CV. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long-term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we’re proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. For our support, please send an email to bayley.colbran@axa-uk.co.uk.

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Who we are:

AXA UK Support Functions power AXA’s three customer-facing business units, providing the infrastructure, support and expertise to ensure our customers can always count on us. Whether you’ve got heaps of experience and qualifications behind you, or you’re just starting out, we’ll give you the support and opportunities to help you grow and develop with confidence.