Head of Strategy and Communications

Bath & North East Somerset Council; Bath; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional local authority in the United Kingdom is seeking a Head of Strategy and Communications to lead on policy and community engagement. This role involves enhancing corporate communications and serving as an advisor to senior decision-makers. Ideal candidates will have a blend of strategy and communications experience, with the capacity to collaborate effectively across various teams and with external partners. The position will contribute significantly to the council's innovative and inclusive mission to improve residents' lives.

Qualifications

• Ability to shape and own corporate strategy.
• Strong background in either strategy or communications.
• Experience collaborating with senior officers and politicians.

Responsibilities

• Lead on policy, communications, and community engagement.
• Drive partnership working with local partners.
• Transform corporate communications with a focus on human stories.

Skills

Strategy expertise

Communications skills

Collaboration

Innovation

Public engagement

Job description

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve people’s lives.

Our UNESCO-listed heritage city, with its six million annual visitors, needs little introduction; but there is so much more to Bath and North East Somerset. You will find a rich variety of rural towns, villages, landscapes, plus plenty of opportunities and challenges, and examples of innovation and creativity everywhere you look.

We are building a fair, green, creative and connected place where we help to improve people’s lives. Our unshakeable commitment to tackling the climate and ecological emergency and giving people a bigger say underpins everything we do, and you will find an inspiring level of energy for progress and improvement across the council.

About The Role

The Head of Strategy and Communications is a key role sitting at the heart of the council. Reporting to the Executive Director of Resources you will be a member of our corporate management team and have a seat in the rooms where the big decisions are taken.

The role brings together our corporate engine room. You will lead on policy, communications and community engagement with a brief to shape and own our corporate strategy and bring it to life both within the council and through putting resident voices at the heart of the decision‑making process.

Communications will be among your top priorities. We are transforming our approach with a clear, cross‑council strategy focused on human stories, strengthening our corporate communications capacity and making better use of digital channels. And you will help to drive our partnership working, supporting senior decision makers in their engagement with local partners and the West of England Combined Authority.

This is a challenging, diverse role with scope for significant influence within and beyond the council. You will need to be a collaborator, an innovator and a trusted advisor who commands the confidence of senior officers and politicians.

About You

We are open-minded about your background; you do not need to have worked in a local authority before. The strongest candidates will be those who can show a good balance between strategy and communications expertise, or those with deep experience in one area and a clear ability to quickly grow into the other.

Contact Information

Please contact Simon Parker, Executive Director Resources on 01225 477103 or email.

Interview Details

Interview date: Tuesday 10th February 2026.

Other Information

No agencies please.

• Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

About Bath And North East Somerset Council

Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need.

At Bath and North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve peoples lives. Find out more about our values at

Diversity & Inclusion

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at

We are a Disability Confident Employer. Find out more at

The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.