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Director of Communications Executive Search

Connecting you with senior communications leaders who shape strategy, protect reputation, and drive engagement

Director of Communications Executive Search is business critical for organisations looking to build influence, lead with clarity, and protect their reputation across an increasingly complex stakeholder landscape. With over 20 years of global executive search experience, Hanson Search partners with leading brands, private equity-backed ventures, multinationals, and government-backed entities to place world-class communications leaders.

We work across London, Paris, Dubai, New York, and beyond to help organisations hire Communications Directors who lead from the front — aligning messaging with strategy, driving engagement across audiences, and ensuring your brand and narrative stay resilient in times of growth, change, or scrutiny.

Why Director of Communications Talent Is Strategic

In a hyper-connected, reputation-driven world, the role of Director of Communications has evolved far beyond media relations. Today’s comms leaders are trusted advisors to the C-suite, managing internal and external messaging, reputation, risk, and crisis response in real time.

The right Director of Communications brings a blend of strategic thinking, political acumen, digital literacy, and leadership experience. They ensure your voice is heard — consistently, credibly, and with purpose.

We specialise in senior communications executive search that delivers lasting impact.

Director of Communications Roles We Recruit

Our executive search team places mid-to-senior leadership roles across corporate, agency, and institutional settings, including:

  • Director of Communications

  • Head of Corporate Communications

  • VP Communications or External Affairs

  • Director of Media Relations or Press

  • Global Communications Lead

  • Communications & Reputation Strategy Advisor

We also support broader leadership team builds, succession planning, and interim leadership placements in communications.

Director of Communications Search by Sector

We place Directors of Communications across high-profile, high-stakes sectors including:

  • Financial Services & Investment – from reputation risk to regulatory messaging

  • Energy, Sustainability & Infrastructure – including ESG comms and transition narratives

  • Healthcare & Life Sciences – patient advocacy, innovation comms, and trust building

  • Technology & Digital – managing fast-growth narratives, platform scrutiny, and policy alignment

  • Public Sector & Institutions – stakeholder alignment, policy comms, and crisis response

  • Luxury, Retail & Consumer – brand storytelling, influencer engagement, and omni-channel messaging

Our consultants understand how comms sits at the intersection of brand, leadership, regulation, and internal culture — and we know how to find talent that can operate across all of it.

Our Global Communications Network

From London to Dubai, and New York to Paris, our Director of Communications executive search consultants are embedded in global networks of senior comms professionals.

We work with businesses ranging from early-stage scale-ups to FTSE 100 companies, global NGOs to investor-backed ventures — helping them hire leaders who can steer complex narratives and align messaging with business goals.

Why Choose Us for Communications Executive Search?

  • Over 20 years’ experience in communications, corporate affairs, and reputation search

  • Global reach with deep local market knowledge — UK, UAE, US, Europe

  • Trusted by boards, CEOs, and HRDs for reputation-critical hiring

  • B Corp certified — committed to ethical, diverse, and insight-led recruitment

  • Proven track record of placing transformative communications leaders across sectors

We don’t just fill roles. We find leaders who shape stories, inspire trust, and bring clarity in complexity.

Ready to Start Your Communications Leadership Search?

If you’re hiring a Director of Communications — or looking to structure your leadership team with strategic comms expertise — we’re here to help.

Speak to our specialist team to learn how we can support your search. Or explore our latest market insights to understand how communications leadership is evolving in today’s connected world.

Get in touch









    Introducing
    Our Experts
    With a network spanning the UK, Europe, USA, and the Middle East, our team of recruitment consultants are experts in sourcing the best talent globally.

    Meet the team

    • Global CEO, Regional Head of MENA

      Alice Weightman

      Alice Weightman: CEO, Global Executive Search Leader, and UAE Market Expert: Alice Weightman is the Founder and CEO of Hanson...

    • UK & Europe Managing Partner, Global Head of Public Affairs

      Janie Emmerson

      Janie Emmerson: Janie leads Hanson Search’s UK & European based teams. From the London office, she guides and supports their...

    • Principal consultant, Sales & Marketing

      Nils Gerardin

      Nils Gerardin: Nils Geradin is a seasoned executive search and recruitment consultant with nearly ten years of experience placing senior-level...

    • Managing Partner, Global Head of Corporate Affairs

      Katie Simpson

      Katie Simpson: Having previously spent 10 years in the communications industry, Katie brings real industry insights into the hiring process. Taking her...

    • Managing Partner, Global Head of Healthcare & Communications

      Amy Hayer

      Amy Hayer: Amy brings over 15 years of experience in executive search, with a focus on healthcare communications and international...

    • Partner, European Head of Public Affairs and Communications

      Barbara Ozanon

      Barbara Ozanon: With over a decade of experience in recruitment, executive search, and headhunting, Barbara Ozanon leads Hanson Search’s European...

    • Managing Consultant, Public Affairs & Policy, UK & USA

      Peter Ferguson

      Peter Ferguson: As a Managing Consultant in the Public Affairs Practice, Peter advises and supports some of the world’s most...

    • Marketing Lead

      Sam White

      Sam White: Marketing Lead Sam White joined Hanson Search in 2016, initially working as an internal recruiter after gaining experience...

    • Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion

      Robyn Field

      Robyn Field: As Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion, Robyn is responsible for all business and administrative operations at Hanson...

    • Consultant, MENA

      Lexi Smith-Muller

      Lexi Smith-Muller: Lexi has over 10 years’ experience of recruitment & talent acquisition, and over 6 years’ experience working in...

    • Principal Consultant, Communications, Marketing & Digital Marketing

      Helena Ranger

      Helena Ranger: Helena is Principal Consultant leading the Consumer division across PR, Marketing and Digital Marketing. She plays a pivotal...

    • Advisor

      Nicholas Watkins

      Nicholas Watkins: Nicholas has over 30 years of business leadership experience that combines successful careers in the media, leisure and...

    • Head of Corporate and Financial

      Allyson Kurian

      Allyson Kurian: Allyson is a specialist headhunter in corporate affairs and financial communications recruitment, focusing on mid-to-senior level roles both...

    • Senior Consultant, Communications, Europe

      Camille Chevallier

      Camille Chevallier: Having started her career as a comms professional, Camille spent 20 years in senior roles within leading agencies...

    • Business Support

      Mirjana R.Dejanovska

      Mirjana Dejanovska: Mirjana is Talent Strategist & Customer Success Manager at our sister company, The Work Crowd. Mirjana joined Hanson...

    • Internal Recruitment & Operations Lead

      Katie Cubbon

      Katie Cubbon: Katie manages internal recruitment at Hanson Search, while also overseeing office management and business operations. With experience across...

    • Senior Researcher

      Arlena Butt

      Arlena Butt: Arlena is a valued senior researcher at Hanson Search, supporting the team across Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, Health...

    • Senior Consultant, Head of Technology, UK and USA

      Rachel L’Estrange

      Rachel L’Estrange After spending six years in Corporate PR and Marketing, Rachel L’Estrange moved into recruiting in 2021 and hasn’t...

    • Business Support

      Ivana Stevanovska

      Ivana Stevanovska: Ivana is Community and Marketing Executive at our sister company, The Work Crowd. As well as being highly...

    • Head of Interim Communications

      Ben Mitchell

      Ben Mitchell: Head of Interim Communications Ben is Head of Interim Communications and works across both Hanson Search and our...

    • Researcher, MENA

      Nevena Ilievska

      Nevena Ilievska: With a degree in Psychology and nearly four years of experience in talent acquisition and research, Nevena has...

    • Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment Services

      Madeleine Weightman

      Madeleine Weightman: Madeleine is Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment and co-Founder of The Work Crowd, the sister company...

    • Search Director, MENA

      Amanda Dowie

      Amanda Dowie : MENA Search Director Amanda Dowie is an accomplished executive search specialist with over 20 years of global...

    • Researcher

      Fani Mateska

      Fani Mateska: With over four years’ experience in recruitment consultancy, Fani joined Hanson Search in July 2025, bringing expertise from...

    • Advisor

      Michelle Milbourn

      Michelle Milbourn: Advisor Michelle is a seasoned executive search specialist with two decades of experience supporting founders and investors across...

    • Director, Hanson Capital MENA

      Alice Maltby

      Alice Maltby : Director, Investor Markets, UAE Alice Maltby is a Director at Hanson Search MENA, working within the firm’s...

    • Researcher

      Ivana Cilevska

      Ivana Cilevska Ivana Cilevska is a Researcher at Hanson Search, supporting the European team across client mandates and contributing to...

    • Researcher

      Aneta Arsovska

      Aneta Arsovska: With over 10 years of experience in recruitment across various industries, Aneta specialises in research-driven recruitment and talent...

    • Marketing Content Executive

      Reg Wheeler

      Reg Wheeler: Reg is a Marketing Content Executive at Hanson Search, supporting a range of marketing and content initiatives across...
    Our trusted network
    We are trusted advisors to our partners, recruiting and placing teams for the world’s most successful brands, agencies and innovative start-ups around the world.

    Discover our network

    Get in touch









      Introducing
      Our Recruitment Experts

      Our team possesses a unique blend of industry expertise, advanced recruitment acumen, and professional assessment skills on a global scale. With an in-depth understanding of the market, we are perfectly positioned to help you hire the best talent that you need

      Meet the team

      • Global CEO, Regional Head of MENA

        Alice Weightman

        Alice Weightman: CEO, Global Executive Search Leader, and UAE Market Expert: Alice Weightman is the Founder and CEO of Hanson...

      • UK & Europe Managing Partner, Global Head of Public Affairs

        Janie Emmerson

        Janie Emmerson: Janie leads Hanson Search’s UK & European based teams. From the London office, she guides and supports their...

      • Managing Partner, Global Head of Corporate Affairs

        Katie Simpson

        Katie Simpson: Having previously spent 10 years in the communications industry, Katie brings real industry insights into the hiring process. Taking her...

      • Managing Partner, Global Head of Healthcare & Communications

        Amy Hayer

        Amy Hayer: Amy brings over 15 years of experience in executive search, with a focus on healthcare communications and international...

      • Partner, European Head of Public Affairs and Communications

        Barbara Ozanon

        Barbara Ozanon: With over a decade of experience in recruitment, executive search, and headhunting, Barbara Ozanon leads Hanson Search’s European...

      • Principal consultant, Sales & Marketing

        Nils Gerardin

        Nils Gerardin: Nils Geradin is a seasoned executive search and recruitment consultant with nearly ten years of experience placing senior-level...

      • Principal Consultant, Communications, Marketing & Digital Marketing

        Helena Ranger

        Helena Ranger: Helena is Principal Consultant leading the Consumer division across PR, Marketing and Digital Marketing. She plays a pivotal...

      • Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment Services

        Madeleine Weightman

        Madeleine Weightman: Madeleine is Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment and co-Founder of The Work Crowd, the sister company...

      • Search Director, MENA

        Amanda Dowie

        Amanda Dowie : MENA Search Director Amanda Dowie is an accomplished executive search specialist with over 20 years of global...

      • Director, Hanson Capital MENA

        Alice Maltby

        Alice Maltby : Director, Investor Markets, UAE Alice Maltby is a Director at Hanson Search MENA, working within the firm’s...

      • Managing Consultant, Public Affairs & Policy, UK & USA

        Peter Ferguson

        Peter Ferguson: As a Managing Consultant in the Public Affairs Practice, Peter advises and supports some of the world’s most...

      • Senior Consultant, Head of Technology, UK and USA

        Rachel L’Estrange

        Rachel L’Estrange After spending six years in Corporate PR and Marketing, Rachel L’Estrange moved into recruiting in 2021 and hasn’t...

      • Head of Corporate and Financial

        Allyson Kurian

        Allyson Kurian: Allyson is a specialist headhunter in corporate affairs and financial communications recruitment, focusing on mid-to-senior level roles both...

      • Senior Consultant, Communications, Europe

        Camille Chevallier

        Camille Chevallier: Having started her career as a comms professional, Camille spent 20 years in senior roles within leading agencies...

      • Head of Interim Communications

        Ben Mitchell

        Ben Mitchell: Head of Interim Communications Ben is Head of Interim Communications and works across both Hanson Search and our...

      • Consultant, MENA

        Lexi Smith-Muller

        Lexi Smith-Muller: Lexi has over 10 years’ experience of recruitment & talent acquisition, and over 6 years’ experience working in...

      • Senior Researcher

        Arlena Butt

        Arlena Butt: Arlena is a valued senior researcher at Hanson Search, supporting the team across Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, Health...

      • Marketing Content Executive

        Reg Wheeler

        Reg Wheeler: Reg is a Marketing Content Executive at Hanson Search, supporting a range of marketing and content initiatives across...

      • Researcher

        Fani Mateska

        Fani Mateska: With over four years’ experience in recruitment consultancy, Fani joined Hanson Search in July 2025, bringing expertise from...

      • Researcher

        Ivana Cilevska

        Ivana Cilevska Ivana Cilevska is a Researcher at Hanson Search, supporting the European team across client mandates and contributing to...

      • Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion

        Robyn Field

        Robyn Field: As Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion, Robyn is responsible for all business and administrative operations at Hanson...

      • Researcher, MENA

        Nevena Ilievska

        Nevena Ilievska: With a degree in Psychology and nearly four years of experience in talent acquisition and research, Nevena has...

      • Researcher

        Aneta Arsovska

        Aneta Arsovska: With over 10 years of experience in recruitment across various industries, Aneta specialises in research-driven recruitment and talent...

      • Marketing Lead

        Sam White

        Sam White: Marketing Lead Sam White joined Hanson Search in 2016, initially working as an internal recruiter after gaining experience...

      • Internal Recruitment & Operations Lead

        Katie Cubbon

        Katie Cubbon: Katie manages internal recruitment at Hanson Search, while also overseeing office management and business operations. With experience across...

      • Business Support

        Ivana Stevanovska

        Ivana Stevanovska: Ivana is Community and Marketing Executive at our sister company, The Work Crowd. As well as being highly...

      • Business Support

        Mirjana R.Dejanovska

        Mirjana Dejanovska: Mirjana is Talent Strategist & Customer Success Manager at our sister company, The Work Crowd. Mirjana joined Hanson...

      • Advisor

        Michelle Milbourn

        Michelle Milbourn: Advisor Michelle is a seasoned executive search specialist with two decades of experience supporting founders and investors across...

      • Advisor

        Nicholas Watkins

        Nicholas Watkins: Nicholas has over 30 years of business leadership experience that combines successful careers in the media, leisure and...

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