Head of Communications and PR

At SumUp, we are motivated by the purpose of leveling the playing field for small businesses. We empower small business owners by creating simple and affordable tools to manage payments, finance and customer relationships. We are a passionate team that thrives on human connection, autonomy and the desire to constantly learn, guided by our values ‘Founder’s Mentality’, ‘Team First’ and ‘We Care’. We want to build an enduring organization that is people-positive, disciplined and that constantly innovates from within. Agility is the essence of an enduring organization and we strive to create an organization that fosters it.

As the Global Head of Communications & PR at SumUp, you'll spearhead an exciting transformation journey that extends beyond traditional communications. This is a unique opportunity to shape how a fast-growing FinTech leader tells its story across multiple audiences—from small business merchants to consumers, investors, and industry stakeholders. You'll lead the strategic evolution of SumUp's narrative from a payments provider to a comprehensive SME growth partner and compelling consumer brand, while building a world-class, globally distributed communications function. This role offers the rare chance to drive measurable business impact across 36+ markets, mentor a high performing team of Communications professionals and position SumUp for its next growth phase. You'll find great opportunities to leverage your unique strengths while collaborating with brilliant minds who share our commitment to leveling the playing field for small businesses worldwide.

What you'll do

• Lead Brand Repositioning: Drive SumUp's narrative transformation from payments provider to comprehensive SME growth partner and consumer brand, implementing our brand refresh across all communications channels and stakeholder touchpoints.
• Build Market Influence: Develop and execute integrated campaigns that increase Share of Voice, secure media coverage for product launches and milestones, and establish executive thought leadership across key markets and industry forums.
• Scale Global Operations: Establish scalable communications infrastructure across our global markets, optimize agency partnerships, and implement automation tools for monitoring, analytics, and workflow management to drive data-driven decision making.
• Manage Risk & Reputation: Design proactive crisis management protocols, reputation monitoring systems, and rapid-response frameworks while coaching executives and building spokesperson readiness programs.
• Corporate Communications and IPO Readiness: Develop and execute comprehensive financial market communication strategies in collaboration with finance, investor relations, and leadership teams. Lead external communications activities and stakeholder engagement to position SumUp as the leader in its field, including narrative development, media strategy, and investor education initiatives.
• Develop High-Performing Teams: Mentor and scale a diverse global communications team across multiple regions, establishing shared KPIs, performance frameworks, and cross-cultural collaboration while managing multi-country agency relationships.
• Influence Strategic Decisions: Position communications as a trusted advisor to C-suite leadership, linking storytelling directly to business outcomes and providing strategic counsel on reputation-critical decisions across merchant, consumer, and B2B initiatives.

You’ll be great for this role if

• You're a Strategic Communications Leader: You bring proven experience leading multi-country PR and communications programs with a track record of successful brand repositioning, narrative development, and delivering measurable business impact that directly supports growth objectives.
• You Excel at Media Relations & Storytelling: You have mastery in building strong press networks, securing high-impact coverage, and translating complex business stories into compelling narratives that resonate across diverse audiences—from merchants and consumers to investors and industry analysts.
• You're a Team Builder & Mentor: You have a passion for developing high-performing, diverse teams across multiple markets, with experience setting structures, processes, and KPIs while fostering collaboration and growth in fast-paced, multicultural environments.
• You're Data-Driven & Results-Oriented: You bring expertise in defining PR KPIs, tracking Share of Voice and coverage quality, and leveraging analytics to optimize strategies—whether you come from agency, in-house, or consulting backgrounds, your focus on measurable outcomes sets you apart.
• You have Crisis Management experience: You bring solid experience in issues and crisis communications, including risk assessment, preventive strategies, rapid response coordination, and executive coaching—skills that will be essential as we navigate our growth journey.
• Ideally, you have experience with investor relations, IPO communications, or working with public companies, understanding the unique requirements of financial communications and regulatory environments.

Why you should join SumUp

• Impactful Leadership: Own the global communications strategy and roadmap, leading a world-class team to elevate SumUp’s reputation and growth.
• Innovative Environment: Work in a fast-growing, innovative, inclusive, and ethical business where your passion and creativity will inspire teams globally.
• Global Reach: We are currently present in 36+ markets and are a global and growing team of 3000+ people from 90+ nationalities with offices across 4 continents.
• Competitive Compensation: Competitive salary and benefits and access to our SumUp Sabbatical, Employee Assistance Programs, and participation in the Virtual Stock Options Program (VSOP).
• Visa and Relocation Support: Support for visa and relocation support for you, your family, and even your pets.