Senior Communications Officer (Legitimacy) - Hybrid

Avon and Somerset Police; Portishead; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local police force is seeking a Senior Communications Officer to enhance trust and confidence among communities. This role involves developing and managing internal and external communications. Candidates should have experience in journalism or communications, along with strong writing skills. Flexible working arrangements are available.

Benefits

Flexible working

Free on-site parking

Continuous professional development

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance scheme

Staff discount scheme

Qualifications

• Significant experience in fast-paced journalistic or communications roles.
• Confident handling local and national media queries.
• A natural communicator with excellent writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Identifying and engaging with internal and external influencers.
• Delivering timely, accurate, and appropriate communications.
• Creating content for media and marketing materials.

Skills

Expert communication skills

Ability to build relationships

Understanding of legitimacy issues

Experience in media management

Experience in integrated communications campaigns

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience in communications or journalism

Job description

Overview

We’re looking for a Senior Communications Officer, specialising in issues which affect trust and confidence in organisations, 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:

As the Senior Communications Officer (Legitimacy), you’ll be responsible for implementing and managing an internal and external communicationsprogramme of to support the Constabulary in addressing the significantly lower levels of trust and confidence among some communities.

Reporting into the Strategic Communications Team Leader, you will provide specialist communications and engagement (internal and external)advice to the wider Corporate Communications Department and organisation, including as part ofcritical incidents relating to legitimacy and / or disproportionality.

You will be a subject matter expert on national and local efforts to improve trust and confidence of groups that historically have lower levels, due to a legacy of over policing and under-protection. For example, people from racially and ethnically diverse communities, women and girls, and LGBT+ communities.

Your main responsibilities

• Identifying,engagingand building effective relationships with internal and external influencers andleaders, diverse communities, staff associations, specialist media outlets, and communityrepresentatives.
• Acting asa central pointof contact for internal stakeholders and the team for advice and ideas, inrelationto trust and confidence.
• Delivering and supporting on the creation of timely, accurate and appropriate communications using effective, audience-led communication tactics to meet defined objectives.
• Create compelling written content for media and marketing materials including but not limited to press releases, website articles, social media posts, marketing materials etc.
• Embrace a culture of learning and continuous development.

Skills and experience required:

• Relevant degree or equivalent experience in communications or journalism
• Strong understanding of issues relating tolegitimacy and disproportionality
• Significant experience in fast-paced journalistic, orcommunications roles
• Experience of devising and implementing media and reputation management strategies
• Experience of delivering high impact, integrated communications campaigns
• Confident handling local and national media queries and preparing press materials
• A natural communicator with excellent writing skills and ability to create content for diverse audiences
• Well-organised with strong local/community media connections
• Experienced in building relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Able to influence and work effectively with senior leaders

What we can offer you

A package of financial, lifestyle and health benefits to support whatever stage of life you're in, including:

• Flexible working
• Free on-site parking at our HQ site
• Continuous professional development
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance scheme offering help through counselling services, legal advice, fitness advice, personal coaching and health assessment
• Staff discount scheme for savings on shopping, days out, sporting events, holidays.

Additional Information

To be eligible to apply for this role you must have a 3 year ‘checkable history’ in the UK – ideally this means that you would have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years.

If your application is successful at shortlisting, you will be invited to attend a interview on 22nd or 23rd October 2025, at Headquarters in Portishead.

For more information please see attached job description or contact Zoe Almond - [e-mail]

Does this sound like the role for you? Click on the blue button below to apply.

About us

Diversity is a strength and individuality is an asset.

We recognise the benefit different life experience and perspectives can bring.

We are on a journey to become the most inclusive police force in the country.

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Blended Working/ Hybrid Working

Avon and Somerset Police encourage flexible working where operationally possible. This role has been identified as a blended role. The successful candidate for this role will have the opportunity to work from home whilst also at a secondary work location, which will be a police premises. The successful applicant will have the option to discuss working arrangements with their line manager. All applicants must reside within the UK.