Communications Officer

Surrey and Sussex Police; London; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading police force in Surrey is seeking a talented communications professional to join their team. The successful candidate will lead various communication strategies, ensuring effective engagement with the public while managing media relations. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to public safety and community engagement, working within a supportive organization that values work-life balance and diversity. You will be based at Surrey Police HQ in Guildford with flexible working options.

Benefits

Career progression

Contributory pension scheme (LGPS)

Generous annual leave allowance

On-site gyms and a range of sports clubs

Financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support

Qualifications

• Experience in an integrated communications role.
• Strong writing skills and experience in media relations.
• Ability to manage conflict under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver communications strategies across various channels.
• Manage media enquiries and relationships.
• Support internal communication and behaviour change campaigns.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder Management

Creative Content Creation

Education

Degree level qualification in communications

Vocational or post-graduate qualification in communications (e.g., CIM, CIPR)

Job description

Vacancy Information

Division / Department - Media and Communications

Grade - Grade G

Status - Full Time

Contract Type - Permanent

Salary Grade Range - £33,128 - £39,149

Working Hours - 36.0 Hours per Week

Shift Allowance - No

Politically Restricted - No

Location - Surrey Police Headquarters, Guildford

The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.

Chief Constables' Message

We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.

We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.

We wish you all the very best with your application.

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner

The Role & Key Responsibilities

We are looking for a talented and creative communications professional to join our team.

If youre passionate about public service, and know how to use storytelling to connect with a wide range of audiences to build trust and confidence, keep reading!

We want to hear from candidates with excellent written and verbal skills, who have a flair for creating engaging visual content with a purpose.

The job holder will be an important part of delivering every aspect of communications including responding to national media enquiries on high profile issues or pitching proactive opportunities, developing behaviour change campaigns, engaging with staff through internal channels, supporting incident response, and using social media and our website to shout about our work.

Youll be able to accurately identify risks and opportunities, think creatively about what to do next, and respond to real time issues and trends that impact Surrey Police and our people.

We are a data led team, using analytics and insights to inform what we do next. We are looking for a curious and creative mind to help us engage with a wide range of audiences in a way that speaks to them.

You will hold a crucial role delivering tactical communications and advising colleagues at all levels across the Force. Effectively managing stakeholders and building relationships is key, as youll regularly work with officers and staff.

The post holder will be driven, a problem solver, and able to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment. In exchange, well provide training and support as you stretch your skills and make a difference from day one.

In this role youll get a front row seat to policing where no two days are the same. Youll primarily be working across the news and strategic communications functions, but there may also be the opportunity to work across other portfolios including supporting engagement or change implementation.

You will need to have previous experience a communications role, and we welcome applicants from across all sectors as well as those already working in policing.

While the role will be based at Surrey Police HQ in Guildford, we support hybrid working.

Skills & Experience

• Degree level qualification/equivalent professional experience in a relevant communications discipline or vocational or post-graduate communications qualification, such as CIM, CIPR or MRS
• Experience of delivery of end-to-end integrated internal/change/public information or behavioural communications across multiple channels using tools to assist with audience segmentation
• Experience of media relations and/or in managing media enquiries. Knowledge of media law would assist in this role
• Evidence of using innovative techniques to target identified audiences and convert communications objectives into tangible outcomes
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills, with experience of stakeholder management including liaising and advising people at a senior level and from a range of backgrounds
• Strong writing skills and developing creative content. Ability to adapt content for different audiences and channels, with attention to detail
• Ability to operate autonomously and problem solve at a tactical level
• Ability to balance and manage conflict between short and long term priorities and reactive/proactive work under pressure
• Understanding and experience of using social media channels in a work environment to build awareness, understanding and confidence.
  
  

Why Work With Us?

Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. Were invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working. We encourage agile working, giving you the opportunity to manage your own diary and work wherever you give the best service to the public. This may include flexi-time and home working.

We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;

• career progression
• contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• generous annual leave allowance
• on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
• generous and supportive parental leave
• financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• discounted contributory healthcare scheme
  
  

Please use the following links for more information on the benefits of working with Surrey Police

Further Information

If you'd like to discuss the role further, please contact Nicola Burress, Head of News or Kerry Bowles, Communications Manager

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.

We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.

We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.

We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.

Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police

Additional Information

Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.

This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.

Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;

• vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
• vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
• if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment
  
  

Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.

Attachments

• G Grade - COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER - June 2025.docx