Head of Strategic Communications

Sussex Police; Lewes; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression

Contributory pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

On-site gyms and sports clubs

Financial and mental wellbeing support

Job summary

A leading police organization in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Head of Strategic Communications to develop and deliver an effective internal communications strategy. Key responsibilities include managing a team of Communications Managers, providing expert advice to senior leaders, and fostering a culture that promotes strong ethics. The position offers part-time hours with hybrid working options. Applicants should possess significant PR experience and strong leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Professional experience at senior level in PR and/or marketing communications.
• Experience of delivering high-profile integrated communications campaigns.
• Ability to manage conflict between short and long-term priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver internal communications strategy.
• Lead a team of Communications Managers.
• Provide expert advice to Chief Officers and other senior colleagues.

Skills

Communications planning

Stakeholder engagement

Demand management

Project management

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft SharePoint

Interpersonal communication

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree in communications or equivalent professional experience

Job description

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced communications professional to join the multi award-winning Sussex Police Media and Communications Department as our joint Head of Strategic Communications – Corporate.

You will be responsible for developing and delivering our internal communications strategy, with a particular focus on providing professional guidance and best practice to create campaigns that inform, motivate and empower our diverse workforce, ensuring employees understand and work to support the Force priorities.

You will lead a team of Communications Managers who are responsible for using communications tools and techniques to enable a range of initiatives tied to our Corporate priorities. This includes developing communications strategies for internal change programmes and campaigns for internal and external audiences. You will also be responsible for fostering a culture that upholds the Code of Ethics and standards of professional behaviour and ensuring the thousands of officers and staff working across Sussex receive the information they need to be able to fulfil their duties.

As a senior leader bringing established skills in communications planning, stakeholder engagement and demand management, you will be a crucial member of our Senior Management Team (SMT). You will be seen as a trusted communications advisor, providing expert advice to others in the Force, including Chief Officers, and will work with your colleagues to ensure the department delivers against the Force priorities – protecting communities, catching criminals and delivering an outstanding service.

With joint responsibility for the Strategic Communications Team, you will also have the leadership skills to inspire, support and develop our people.

While the role is based at Sussex Police HQ, hybrid working options including home working or from a local police station are available. However, due to the critical nature of communications in a major or critical incident, there is an expectation that all team members work from headquarters as required and agreed by the Head / Deputy Head of Department.

This position is part of a job share and is therefore being offered on a part‑time basis working full days on Monday and Tuesday, and a half day on Wednesday (AM). It is being offered on a 12‑month Fixed Term Contract.

Skills & Experience

• Degree‑level academic or professional qualification in a communications discipline or equivalent professional experience in the discipline of PR, marketing communications, internal/change communications, strategic communications.
• Professional experience at senior level in PR and/or marketing communications.
• Experience of delivering or directing high‑profile, integrated communications campaigns across PESO channels for a large or high‑profile organisation.
• Experience and practical application of a range of market research techniques, insight‑led segmentation and targeting.
• Experienced in nurturing team professional and personal development, motivating others and knowledge of relevant business and HR processes.
• Ability to balance and manage conflict between short and long‑term priorities and reactive/proactive work while managing large portfolio of work.
• Excellent experience and confidence in influencing and negotiating with senior colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional interpersonal and formal communications skills, both verbal and written.
• Well organised with good project management skills, delivering to time, budget, brief, and managing risk.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft products including Word, Excel, and SharePoint.

Why Work With Us?

Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re 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
• discounts for everyday spend
• 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 Sussex Police.

Further Information

This is a politically restricted position, to view the Political Restrictions Policy for Police Staff click here

The postholder will be required to pass and maintain Sussex Police vetting at the appropriate level – this may include enhanced vetting.

This role requires travel to meetings and locations across Sussex. The post‑holder must therefore have a driving licence and access to their own transport.

Candidates will be given a presentation topic to prepare in advance and present at interview. Interviews will be held on the week commencing 9 March at Sussex Police Headquarters in Lewes.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Hannah Easterby, Head of Media and Communications at Sussex Police: [e-mail] or Maria Newstead, Deputy Head of Media and Communications: [e-mail]