The posting
About us
You've probably heard of Autotrader, but do you know what we're all about?
We're the most trusted, most visited automotive marketplace in the UK. A heritage brand and a tech innovator. We bring together vehicle buyers and sellers to give them real choices. Cars may be what we're best known for but we’re also the place for pretty much everything else on wheels, from e-bikes to caravans.
In the automotive world, change is a constant, that’s why we take our job of untangling the complex car-buying journey very seriously.
At our core, we’re all about people. We go our own way while embracing diversity and celebrating our differences. We dedicate ourselves to the idea that we work better together.
Autotrader is a beautiful, surprising and vibrant place to work. We might not be for everyone, but we could be perfect for you.
About the job
We are looking for a Director of Corporate Affairs with a true “corpsumer” mindset. You’ll be someone who brings the flair, narrative drive, and campaigning energy of consumer PR, backed by the strategic nuance required to protect and elevate a high-profile corporate reputation.
We want a progressive communications leader driven by commercial curiosity who naturally challenges received wisdom, digs into data and product intel to find the insightful and actionable “so what?”, and shapes it into agenda-setting B2B and B2C narratives.
In this role, you will act as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives and the Board, translating corporate strategy into clear external positioning while ensuring our messaging flexes seamlessly across diverse stakeholders. These can range from national media and commercial partners to investors, government bodies and internal teams. While public affairs and financial comms are part of the remit you’ll spend most of your time leading your team deliver high-impact external Comms & PR campaigns while serving as a strategic guardrail for brand reputation.
You will bring the commercial foresight and cultural radar needed to spot risks early, navigate high-stakes issues before they escalate, and inspire an ambitious communications team to deliver maximum impact.
This role can be based from either our London or Manchester office however travel will be required on a weekly basis between these locations.
What we're looking for
- Current Senior Leadership Experience: Currently operating at Director level or in a similar capacity, with a track record of leading integrated communications across complex organizations
- C-Suite Exposure & Credibility: Proven experience advising, influencing, and operating alongside C-suite executives, boards, and senior leadership.
- Agile Stakeholder Messaging: Exceptional agility in tailoring and flexing complex messages to connect effectively with vastly different audiences—from trade and consumer media to investors and internal teams.
- Media Relations: Have the credibility and ability to build and develop key relationships with journalists and media outlets
- Curiosity & Narrative Shaping: A naturally inquisitive mind that relentlessly digs for the "so what?", turning complex data, trends, or technical detail into clear, irresistible narratives.
- Proven "Corpsumer" Expertise: A track record of running creative consumer or trade campaigns combined with a strong understanding of corporate brand sensitivities and reputational boundaries.
- Crisis & Issues Management: Agility and poise in handling high-stakes issues, backed by the cultural awareness to spot and mitigate reputation risks early.
- Dual B2B & B2C Comms Background: Demonstrated success engaging both everyday consumers and commercial/trade audiences.
- People Leadership: Proven leadership of high-performing teams and external agency partners across complex businesses.
Though not essential for this role, if you have a background or awareness of the automotive and/or technology/marketplace sectors, it would be a plus.
During our application process, you will be asked two questions to help us learn more about you and how you align with our values. These will be used as part of our selection criteria, to determine if we progress your application further.
Benefits
We’re offering a competitive salary, plus an additional 10% of your salary awarded to you in shares each year. These awarded shares will become yours in yearly instalments over the next three years, and you can choose to either sell them or keep them as shares.
You'll have 28 days holiday per year, and that's in addition to bank holidays and half day closures on Christmas and New Year's Eve.
That’s not all. You'll be enrolled in our pension scheme, where our standard contributions are 7% and employee contributions are 5%. We also have comprehensive private medical cover, enhanced family leave provisions, a car salary sacrifice scheme, share-save options, and much more.
We always want to give you the support you need and help prioritise your wellbeing, that’s why we provide access to 24/7 online GP and dentist, as well as specialist support for assisted fertility, gender dysphoria, menopause, period care plans and lots more.
On top of all that, our hybrid model, Connected Working, combines the best of both worlds – office and home working. You'll spend a minimum of 3 days a week in the office with your team, focused on collaboration and connection.
Additionally, we have our remote-first periods at set times during summer and winter. During these periods, you can work remotely anywhere in the UK and from certain locations abroad.
Alongside a wide range of benefits, we'll help you settle in with confidence from day one. If you're successful, one of the first things you'll experience is our tailored new-starter induction programme, Great Start, designed to help you feel welcome, connected, and set up for success.
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