Job Description

Bury Council is driving an ambitious vision through our "Let's Do It!" strategy. As we evolve how we engage with communities and partners, we're strengthening our communications to ensure our voice is clear, purposeful, and impactful. We're now seeking a strategic and creative Head of Communications to lead that charge.

The Role

This is a pivotal leadership opportunity at the heart of our strategic transformation. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Strategy & Transformation, you'll shape and drive a bold communications agenda across internal and external channels. Leading a talented, multidisciplinary team, you'll be instrumental in crafting compelling narratives, building influence, and connecting our people and stakeholders to our mission.


In this role you will:

Lead with purpose: Provide expert, forward-thinking leadership in the development and delivery of the Council's Communications and Marketing functions. Be the voice of Bury Council - ensuring our messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with both the Corporate Plan and the LET's ambitious 2030 Vision. Drive strategic collaboration: Build and maintain strong, proactive relationships with partners and stakeholders across the Bury Locality. Play a key role in shaping and connecting with the wider Greater Manchester Communications and Engagement landscape. Champion transformation: Manage and evolve the Communications & Marketing function to deliver a bold, transformation-led approach that reflects the Council's commitment to innovation and excellence. Deliver impact through strategy: Ensure the Communications Strategy is dynamic, well-resourced, and responsive to organisational priorities. Lead all aspects of the function with clarity, confidence, and a focus on outcomes. Protect and promote our reputation: Safeguard the Council's public image and amplify its achievements through powerful communications, meaningful engagement, and strategic branding.

This is a hands-on role that blends strategic vision with practical delivery. You'll play a vital role in leading and shaping the future of our communications while being a powerful voice for our community - embedding inclusive, strengths-based approaches that reflect the values, needs, and aspirations of the people of Bury.

About You

You bring energy, creativity, and a deep passion for the power of communications to connect, inspire, engage and drive change. You are a calm, pragmatic, and resilient leader, you have significant senior-level experience in large, complex organisations - ideally within the public sector. You combine strategic insight and you're ready to be a trusted voice for the organisation, shaping narratives that resonate across communities and stakeholders.


You can demonstrate:

Proven leadership in Communications, with experience managing teams, budgets, and multi-agency environments. Politically astute, with experience operating in complex political environments and influencing senior stakeholders through clear, strategic messaging A strong track record of designing and delivering impactful communications strategies that drive change and enhance reputation. Collaborative leadership style, with success in building trusted relationships across sectors and delivering improvement through stakeholder engagement Resilient, pragmatic, and resourceful - able to lead through complexity and change. A commitment to integrity, professionalism, and inclusive leadership, with a passion for amplifying the voice of the organisation and its communities

Why Bury?

We're proud of our progress on our "Let's Do It!" strategy and we know there's more to share and more to do. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape how Bury communicates its story, connects with its communities, and builds a strong, trusted voice both locally and beyond.


This is a permanent position paying 65,016 71,150, with the potential for a *market rate supplement of 8,850 (fixed for two years), bringing the total salary to 80,000, depending on experience. You'll be based at our Bury site with flexible working arrangements, and you'll be part of a dedicated team that's passionate about making Bury a thriving, inclusive place where people feel connected, supported, and proud to belong.

About Bury

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Appointment may be subject to a satisfactory disclosure at the appropriate level under the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In line with safer recruitment, please ensure that your application/CV covers your full employment history and there is a reason noted for any gaps in employment. Successful candidates will be asked to provide relevant references for the past ten years and character references will not be accepted.


Please note we are unable to support with sponsorship at this time.


As a Corporate Parent, ensure that the work and services you deliver considers our care experienced young people, promotes their life chances empowers them to influence the policies, services, and decisions that affect them, champions their rights, and ensure they grow up in the best possible way


We support employees to work with agility, where appropriate for the post and service requirements.

We are committed to Bury being an equal society that recognises values and embraces all people, regardless of any difference, for the skills, abilities and experiences they bring into the workforce and the wider community. Therefore we guarantee an interview for disabled people, looked after children/ care leavers, armed forces personnel (including reservists and veterans) and carers of adults or disabled children if they meet the essential criteria.


If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the 'About You' or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

How to Apply

Bury Council is working in partnership with Hays Marketing and Communications Public Services to recruit for this role.

To apply, please visit Welcome | Bury Council | Hays UK to submit a CV and cover letter, or contact Verity Slade, verity.slade@hays.com /0330105288 for an informal discussion.

Closing date for applications: 29th September 2025 23.59pm Technical Interviews: w/c 6th October Shortlisting: Thursday 16th October Manager/Stakeholder Interviews: w/c 20th October * Final Interviews: Thursday 23rd October and Friday 24th October