Deputy Head Of Communications
Gdst Academy Trust, London, SW1E 5DH26 days remaining to apply
Job start date
24 December 2025
Closing date
19 January 2026 at 10am
Date listed
24 December 2025
Job details
Job role
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Circa £60,000, depending on experience
Deputy Head Of Communications job summary
Are you a senior communications professional with a passion for powerful storytelling and the ability to shape content that influences and build opinion.
Do you have the experience, judgement and drive to operate at the heart of a high-profile, values-led organisation?
The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) is a global leader in girls’ education and is seeking an outstanding Deputy Head of Communications to help shape and deliver a modern, integrated communications function that supports our mission and protects and enhances our reputation.
About the role
This role will elevate the public profile of the GDST, enhance strategic capability across the communications team and move beyond a channel-specific approach. Leading the development of compelling, insight-led content and storytelling across media and digital platforms, you will drive innovation in how we engage audiences and tell the GDST story. The role requires deep expertise in proactive media relations and reputation management, a strong working knowledge of digital communications, a proven track-record of delivering high impact storytelling campaigns and the credibility to advise senior leaders with confidence.
If you are passionate about girls’ education, thrive in complex environments and enjoy combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, this role offers a rare opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
What skills and experience you’ll bring to the role
- Senior-level experience in communications, media relations or journalism, with a strong track record of shaping high-impact storytelling in complex or high-profile organisations
- Proven expertise in proactive and reactive media relations, reputation management and handling sensitive or high-risk issues with sound judgement
- Strong understanding of digital communications and content strategy, with the ability to integrate media, digital and internal channels effectively
- Exceptional writing, editing and messaging skills, with the credibility to advise and influence senior leaders with confidence
- A values-led approach, strong collaborative mindset and a clear commitment to the GDST’s mission and to girls’ education
Who we are
The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) is the UK’s leading group of 23 independent girls’ schools and two academies across England and Wales. We educate around 19,000 students and employ 4,000 staff, all united for a shared purpose: to help girls learn without limits, so they can go on to lead lives without limits and make the world a better place for us all.
The organisation’s values serve as guiding principles:
- We put girls first
- We think and act fearlessly
- We embrace a forward-thinking mindset that shapes the educational offer for girls
- We are a family of schools
- We provide careers that are fulfilling and purposeful for our staff
As recognised global leaders in girls’ education, we combine 153 years of expertise and experience with a progressive and pace-setting vision for the future. We are dedicated to giving our students the tools to thrive, offering them access to innovative educational practices, excellent facilities, and an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued.
Why join us
As part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools, we can offer a variety of benefits, such as:
- Competitive salaries and pay progression
- Access to extensive professional development opportunities
- Training grants for qualifications
- A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
- Generous pension schemes
- Free life assurance benefit
- Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
- A Cycle to Work scheme
- Competitive terms and conditions of employment
There are many other good reasons to work with us. Each of our schools and our Trust Office has its own sense of community, and you’ll be part of it. You’ll be in the company of some of the best and brightest people in independent education. Most importantly, no matter what your role, you’ll be playing a major part in the highly regarded education we give our girls.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Gdst Academy Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
Head office location
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