Job Description

Strategic Communications Team Leader

We're looking for a Strategic Communications Team Leader 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 Strategic Communications Team Leader, you will play a pivotal role in organising, managing and implementing delivery of the annual strategic communications and engagement programme.


Reporting into the Strategic Communications Manager, you will have direct supervisory responsibility for a team of four Communications Officers and one Senior Legitimacy Officer.


You will collaborate closely with senior leaders to gain insights into strategic issues, develop insight-led communication activity, and coordinate resource across the Strategic Communications team. You'll be responsible for inspiring the team to achieve high impact results against clearly defined objectives.


We're looking for a passionate and creative communications professional with a proactive approach to comms, strong interpersonal skills, and a solid understanding of strategic communications.


You will embody our values of caring, courageous, inclusive and learning, creating communications that complements our overall strategy and mission of 'outstanding policing for everyone'.

Key responsibilities:

Lead, develop and manage delivery of tactical communications plans alongside the OPCC communications team, to build public confidence, prevent crime and maintain police visibility. Manage the team to deliver creative, high impact communications and proactive campaigns and PR support for local problem solving using effective, audience-led communications tactics to meet defined objectives Through the team create compelling written content for media and marketing materials including but not limited to press releases, website articles, social media posts, marketing materials Manage the team to identify, research and collate information from a variety of sources to inform campaign development. Support on the creation of significant / challenging / sensitive communications. Oversee delivery of consistent and high-quality written communications through the review of written communications and tactical plans. Ensure the team's training and development plan actively addresses skills gaps and training keeps pace with latest developments in internal communication and employee engagement. Keep abreast of communications and marketing trends and developments, source inspiration and expertise from a variety of sources and sectors to maintain an innovative and award-winning approach. Promote a culture of learning and continuous development. Interpret briefs, understand audiences and objectives and provide direction to guide effective delivery against KPIs. Act as a central point of contact for internal stakeholders and the team for tactical advice and ideas. Attend and present at meetings within your areas of responsibility to represent the department. Trouble shoot and inspire the team to achieve great results. Initiate, develop and manage partnerships with a wide range of external organisations. Manage an effective team who feel valued and respected by balancing wellbeing, development needs and delivering high quality outputs that meet organisational requirements.

Skills & experience required:

Relevant degree or have an equivalent qualification or experience Substantial experience of developing and delivering high impact, integrated and significant communications and/or campaigns A natural communicator with exceptional writing skills and ability to develop compelling content for different audiences Experience of working with senior leaders to devise and deliver creative communications Experience of leading a team of communication professionals and managing performance Experienced relationship-builder with the ability to influence senior management Strong attention to detail and the ability to work to tight deadlines

Benefits:

We offer unique careers where you will be valued, inspired and feel rewarded, you will receive a competitive starting salary of 45,147 plus access to our extensive benefits package.


This role offers the benefits of flexible hybrid working



Interviews for this role will be held on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th August.



Please note that we are currently recruiting for a number of roles within Corporate Communications. Please carefully refer to the attached Role Profile before submitting your application.



For further details regarding this role, please contact Alice Light via email on alice.light@avonandsomerset.police.uk.

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.

Find out more about our benefits and culture

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.

Important information before you commence an application (for external applicants)

You will require the following detail to complete this application form:

National Insurance Number Identification Detail e.g. passport Address information including proof Referee information Full employment history including dates and any qualifications you may have attained Tattoos - you will also be requested to provide photos and describe of any visible tattoos you have

If the role requires you to drive you will also be required to upload details from your full driving licence including photos.

Important information before you commence an application- for ALL applicants

The application system only remains active on a single page for a period of 60 minutes.


Please ensure you allow time to complete your application fully as part complete pages do not save.


If the role has evidence questions you may wish to save these remotely and paste your answers into the boxes at time of submission.