Strategic Communications Manager

We’re looking for a Strategic Communications Manager to join our award-winning Corporate Communications department, offering a unique chance to make a real difference.

You’ll join a friendly, supportive, and highly motivated communications team dedicated to helping keep people safe, combatting crime and building the trust and confidence of both the public and our 6000+ workforce.

You’ll benefit from blended working across home and the office (primarily based at Police HQ in Portishead) and enjoy a fast-paced, forward-thinking environment in an organisation which values its people and giving them the autonomy to be creative and try something new.

The role:

This is a rare opportunity to establish the new role of Strategic Communications Manager, responsible for developing and managing delivery of an annual communications programme to achieve high impact results against clearly defined objectives.

Reporting into the Corporate Communications Manager, you will have direct supervisory responsibility for three team leads and oversee a team of 16, covering strategic communications, digital communications and multimedia content creation.

As a core member of the department leadership team you will work closely with internal and external stakeholders and colleagues, including the communications department for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

What we are looking for:

We’re looking for a proactive and creative communications expert to develop and deliver our integrated internal and external communications programme which helps to safeguard vulnerable people, prevent crime and support culture, perception and behaviour change.

You will embody our values of caring, courageous, inclusive and learning, creating communications that complements our overall strategy and mission of 'outstanding policing for everyone'

You will be a strategic thinker with a proven track record for leading a team to deliver high impact and imaginative multi-channel communications.  

Key responsibilities:

• Manage the delivery of a creative communications and engagement programme which delivers high impact results against clearly defined objectives.
• Use evidence and best practice to inform and direct a communications programme in support of culture, perception and / or behaviour change to have impact in areas such as conduct and standards and legitimacy.
• Provide expert communications advice and guidance, including at senior levels across the organisation.
• Deputise for the Corporate Communications Manager attending and contributing to strategic meetings with chief officers and senior leaders across the force, and with external partners where relevant.
• Lead delivery of significant / challenging / sensitive communication campaigns, drive visibility and improve positive impact
• Maintain an innovative and award-winning approach to communications development, delivering a programme of communications which is inspiring and engaging to our audiences 

Skills & experience required:

• Significant experience (ideally over 5 years) of working in a communications position at a strategic level in a large and complex organisation
• Strong management and leadership skills, and a proven track record of developing team members
• Proven ability to devise and implement high impact, multi-channel communications and engagement plans and strategies
• Be a strategic thinker, able to see the big picture and anticipate and manage challenges and risks
• Excellent oral and written communications skills with experience of writing for a range of audiences and channels
• Ability to influence and work with senior leaders

Benefits:

We offer unique careers where you will be valued, inspired and feel rewarded, you will receive a competitive salary of £45,873 - £49,134 plus access to our extensive benefits package. 

This role offers the benefits of flexible hybrid working