Communications Business Partner

Somerset Fire; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Pro-rata annual leave

Family-friendly policies

Gym access

Learning and development opportunities

Blue Light Membership

Mental health and wellbeing support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service in Exeter is seeking a Communications Business Partner on a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover. The role focuses on building relationships with service areas, delivering engaging campaigns, and providing expert communications guidance to support a safer community.

You will create content across channels, evaluate outcomes, and contribute to proactive communications planning within the Communications and Engagement team.

Qualifications

• Experienced communications professional with ability to build strong relationships across teams.
• Strategic thinker who can develop engaging campaigns and content.
• Skilled in measuring effectiveness and reporting on communications activity.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with service areas to understand priorities and communications needs.
• Develop and deliver creative, audience-focused campaigns and plans.
• Create content across multiple channels and formats; provide expert communications guidance.
• Identify opportunities, risks and priorities; contribute to forward planning and annual communications activity.
• Collaborate across the Communications and Engagement team to maximise impact.

Job description

Contract: 12-month fixed term contract (maternity cover), 22.2 hours per week

Salary:£39,841.00 per annum (pro rata), equating to £23904.60 for working 22.2 hours per week.

Help Shape Communications That Make a Difference.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England, serving the communities of Devon and Somerset through prevention, protection and emergency response.

We are looking for a talented and creativeCommunications Business Partner to join our Communications and Engagement team on a 12-month fixed term maternity cover contract. This is an exciting opportunity to influence how we communicate with our people and stakeholders, helping to support the Service in creating a safer world for everyone.

About the role:

As a Communications Business Partner, you will act as the main communications contact for designated service areas, building strong relationships with colleagues and senior leaders to understand their objectives and deliver effective communications solutions.

You will develop and deliver engaging campaigns, create compelling content, provide expert communications advice and evaluate the impact of activities to ensure successful outcomes. Working closely with colleagues across the Communications and Engagement team, you will help maintain and enhance the Service's reputation while ensuring communications are targeted, accessible and effective.

Find out more:

Key responsibilities:

You will:

• Build strong relationships with service areas, understanding their priorities and communication needs.
• Develop and deliver creative, audience focused communications campaigns and plans.
• Create engaging content across a range of channels and formats.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on communications best practice.
• Identify emerging opportunities, risks and priorities, contributing to forward planning and annual communications activity.
• Work collaboratively across the Communications and Engagement team to maximise impact.
• Develop positive relationships with local, regional and trade media.
• Ensure communications are on-brand, clear, accessible and tailored to the intended audience.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on communications activity and outcomes.
• Support communications during incidents and emergency situations, including participation in an out of hours communications rota if required.
• Promote continuous improvement by staying up to date with developments across the communications profession.
• Support a positive learning culture and contribute to colleagues professional development.

What we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements
• More than five weeks of annual leave (pro-rata)
• Family-friendly policies
• Gym access and fitness support
• Learning and development opportunities
• Blue Light Membership and associated discounts
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Access to the Firefighters Charity
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Closing Date: 2359hrs 8 November 2026.

What we're looking for:

We are seeking an experienced communications professional who can build strong relationships, think strategically and deliver high-quality communications activity.

You will be confident advising colleagues and their senior leaders, developing engaging campaigns and content, managing competing priorities, measuring the effectiveness of communications activity.

Most importantly, you'll be passionate about delivering clear, impactful communications that help support organisational objectives, and strengthen engagement with our audiences.

This is an opportunity to join a respected public service organisation where your work will have a direct impact on colleagues, communities and partners across Devon and Somerset.

You'll work as part of a supportive and professional team, helping to tell important stores, drive engagement and support an organisation dedicated to keeping people safe.

Our values

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services' Safeguarding Policy.

Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order) and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and reprimands.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority is committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, as such any positive disclosures will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response.

As a Service and as individuals:

• We are proud to help
• We are honest
• We are respectful
• We are working together

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities that we serve, and we aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values to consider working for us.

Job number

PS00893

Internal / external

External

Job type

Support

Location

Exeter

Contract type

Temporary/Fixed term

£23,904.60 per annum (Full time equivalent is £39,841)

Hours of work

22.2

22 Oct 2026