THE ROLE:

The Director of Communications is responsible for leading Manchester United’s global communications strategy. This high-impact role ensures the club speaks with a unified, strategic voice across all platforms, audiences, and issues. The Director will oversee all aspects of external communications—including football communications, corporate affairs, executive communications, internal engagement, and crisis response—working in close partnership with football operations, commercial, finance, investor relations, legal, HR, and media teams. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, the Director will be a key figure in shaping and protecting the club’s reputation worldwide.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership Across Communications

• Direct the end-to-end communications strategy for the club, spanning both football and business operations, including line management of the Head of Football Communications and Head of Corporate Communications and Advocacy as the operational leads for their respective areas.
• Serve as a bridge between football, commercial, and brand teams to ensure a consistent narrative and integrated communications approach.
• Act as senior counsel to fclub leadership on media engagements and public positioning.

Media and Public Relations

• Serve as a senior point of contact for the media across football, commercial, and reputational matters.
• Build relationships with top-tier media globally, across sport, business, and lifestyle sectors.
• Shape and oversee all official club narratives, campaigns, and media statements.
• Liaise closely with investor relations team on quarterly earnings announcements.

Crisis & Issues Management

• Lead the club’s response to high-stakes media issues, managing reputational risk across football and business units.
• Partner with legal, HR, and football ops on real-time issues with potential media scrutiny.

Content, Digital, and Brand Storytelling

• Partner with digital and marketing teams to create compelling, coordinated storytelling across club-owned platforms.
• Drive high-impact content and press campaigns around key football and corporate milestones.

Stakeholder Engagement & Executive Support

• Support C-suite and football executives with public speaking, thought leadership, and strategic messaging.
• Ensure alignment with fans, partners, investors, and community stakeholders through transparent and values-led communication.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary communications team, spanning both football, commercial and corporate communications.

The Person:

• Senior leadership experience in communications within elite sport, media, or high-profile brands.
• Deep understanding of football media dynamics and strong network across football .
• Proven ability to lead communications strategy across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Crisis management expertise, especially in a football or media-intensive environment.
• Experience working with athletes, coaching staff, and sports executives.
• Preferably experience working with listed businesses or investor relations functions.
• Strong writing, speechwriting, and messaging development skills.
• Gravitas and sound judgement to counsel senior leaders on reputational matters.
• Team leadership and development skills with a collaborative and adaptable approach.