Head of Communications | British & Irish Lions
- Location: Flexible (UK or Ireland)
- Contract: 18-Month Fixed Term
- Reports to: Chief Marketing Officer
Sporting Jobs are delighted to be supporting the British & Irish Lions in the search for a Head of Communications. With the Lions Women’s Tour to New Zealand 2027 representing a landmark moment in rugby history, this is a genuinely exciting opportunity for a senior communications leader to play a central role in one of sport’s most iconic organisations at a defining point in its journey.
The Organisation
The British & Irish Lions bring together the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to take on the southern hemisphere’s finest. With the Lions Men’s Tour to Australia concluded in 2025, the organisation is now turning its focus to a landmark moment in rugby history: the inaugural Lions Women’s Tour to New Zealand in 2027.
The Role
This is a pivotal position within the Digital, Marketing and Communications team. The Head of Communications will lead all communications activity for the British & Irish Lions, with primary responsibility for the inaugural Lions Women’s Tour in 2027. Reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Officer, the role offers the opportunity to shape the communications agenda for one of sport’s most iconic brands at a defining moment in its history.
The position is offered on an 18-month fixed-term basis, commencing as soon as possible.
Responsibilities
- Play a key leadership role in shaping and executing the Lions’ communications strategy
- Build and leverage a high-impact global sports media network to maximise reach and influence
- Lead and deliver the communications strategy for the inaugural Lions Women’s Team, including all tour-related activity
- Define and execute corporate communications, PR strategy, and crisis communications
- Direct media operations and the delivery of all major press events
- Manage and strengthen relationships with rights-holder broadcasters and key media partners
- Advise and brief senior leadership on all communications matters, risks, and opportunities
- Lead media training programmes, ensuring clarity, consistency, and authority across all messaging
- Represent the Lions at high-profile events, stakeholder engagements, and across the global media landscape
- Oversee digital and social communications alignment, ensuring an integrated approach across all owned and earned channels
- Lead internal communications to ensure alignment across the organisation
- Establish clear KPIs and evaluate the impact of communications activity, providing insight-led reporting to the CMO
Requirements
- Extensive experience in sports communications, ideally within international sport
- Proven experience leading communications for major events or high-profile campaigns
- Strong understanding of the global media landscape, particularly rugby and women’s sport
- Established network of media contacts across the UK, Ireland, and internationally
- Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to operate in a high-pressure, high-profile environment
- High levels of credibility, resilience, flexibility, and integrity
- Proven ability to build strong internal and external relationships
- Experience managing teams and external agencies
Location
If based in Ireland, the successful candidate will work from Dublin HQ on a hybrid basis with travel to the UK and internationally as required. If based in the UK, the role is primarily home-based with regular visits to London and Dublin, alongside travel elsewhere in the UK and internationally as required.
How to Apply
This role is being managed exclusively by Sporting Jobs and applications close on 1st June 2026.
Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role. For a confidential conversation ahead of applying, please get in touch directly.
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