Head of Corporate Communications

We have a rare opportunity for an experienced communications and public relations professional to lead our award-winning Corporate Communications team.

As Head of Corporate Communications for Warwickshire Police you will ensure that effective and creative outcome-focused communications connect with audiences, build trust and confidence, and improve our operational and organisational effectiveness.

Working within a challenging, dynamic, and fast-paced environment you will have the opportunity to shape how Warwickshire Police better engages and builds positive relationships across our communities, our workforce, and our partners.

Our Corporate Communications team is omni-competent, working 24/7 to prevent crime, engage with people and support investigations.

You will be responsible as the force's strategic lead on all internal and external communications. A key aspect of this will be providing communications advice on a wide range of complex, critical, strategic, and tactical matters, from local to national, to the chief officer and senior leadership team as well as overseeing how the force enables effective communications and engagement activity.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a friendly force with incredible people, energy, and vision.

You will need to be an outstanding and confident leader who inspires, motivates, and mobilises action that drives public relations activity, builds, and enhances effective media relations and comprehensively understands the changing dynamics of digital and social media channels. You will need to bring new ideas on how the force uses technology and content to connect and resonant with communities.

As a crucial member of our senior leadership team you will act as a trusted communications advisor, providing expert advice to others in the force and external stakeholders.

The role is based at our headquarters in Leek Wootton, Warwickshire with the option for hybrid working. The successful candidate will be joining a personable, multi-skilled team delivering on a diverse range of proactive and reactive communications.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Develop, secure agreement to and communicate a strategy for the Corporate Communications function that is aligned to the force's strategic aims and priorities.

2. Provide strategic advice and guidance to the senior leadership team, Police and Crime Commissioner and other key stakeholders to support them in their planning and decision making.

3. Manage and report on the performance of the Corporate Communications department, setting performance objectives, holding staff accountable for delivering these and taking corrective action where necessary to ensure the delivery of functional objectives.

4. Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Corporate Communications policies, services, standards and operating procedures to support and enable effective practice and ensure compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements as well as national developments and initiatives.

5. Lead, develop, motivate, manage and engage the Corporate Communications team, protecting and promoting wellbeing and professional standards to enable a high performing team.

6. Negotiate and control internal and external budgets, influencing budget allocation in order to meet the force's priorities and make financial savings where required to maximise value for money.

7. Develop resource and budget plans for Corporate Communications in line with force priorities in order to enable delivery of the force's policing plan and wider strategy.

8. Lead, manage and co-ordinate the allocation of appropriate resources within Corporate Communications in line with force priorities in order to meet demand and maximise the efficient use of resources.

9. Lead the assessment of future demands and emerging risks within Corporate Communications, developing and adapting business and workforce plans to ensure these demands are effectively anticipated and met, maintaining up to date business continuity plans.

10. Ensure effective governance and decision making through the delivery of high quality, accurate, timely reports and analysis and guaranteeing Corporate Communication function is actively engaged and positively contributing in relevant meetings, groups and forums.

11.Lead on all communications aspects for major incidents, crisis management and serious and critical investigations.

12. Develop and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders across the force so as to understand their needs and to ensure they are actively engaged in the development of Corporate Communications' objectives and priorities and are fully informed about its achievements.

13. Collaborate with other forces, suppliers and local and national bodies, managing resources and capability with multiple stakeholders and organisational constraints, identifying opportunities and contributing to the development of innovation in Corporate Communications activities.

14. Effectively manage key strategic commercial relationships with external providers and stakeholders to ensure that services are delivered according to the force's requirements, and that performance standards are met.

15. Fulfil the role of Information Asset Owner (IAO) for all information processing systems managed within the force business area, including the force intranet, community messaging service, force website and social media accounts.

16. To undertake other duties commensurate with the nature, level of responsibility and grading of this post, as required.

Special Conditions:

• This post has been designated as 'Politically Sensitive' under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (as amended).


• Travel throughout the Warwickshire county and some national travel where required.


• On call commitment and requirement to work unsociable hours including weekends.


• Exposure to disturbing / unpleasant images
  
  Relevant professional qualification e.g. Communications / Media degree, CIPR or equivalent, or substantive senior leadership experience in a related professional discipline.


• Legally trained in media law or have a thorough understanding of the principles and practices of news and advertising media.


• Extensive knowledge of public relations best practice and senior stakeholder communications., Extensive experience and proven track record of leading a Corporate Communications function in a large and multi-faceted organisation.


• Planning and objective setting to medium and long term cycles, co-ordinating a complex range of activities.


• Allocating resources appropriately and using commercial acumen to make risk based decisions that deliver effective outcomes within the available budget.


• Leading, motivating and developing a diverse team to deliver departmental performance objectives in line with organisational values.


• Using a range of communication and influencing techniques and methods to successfully negotiate, collaborate and effect change.


• Identification of opportunities and threats, assessing the impact of events and trends to inform internal planning.


• Substantial experience of leading all communications' response to major incidents and complex crisis situations.


• Experience and understanding of the application of information technology in media and corporate communications environments.


Key Skills:

• Able to make business decisions, applying appropriate frameworks, models and risk management processes and anticipating the implications of decisions.


• Able to apply or devise problem-solving strategies, to clarify and solve multi-faceted and complex problems.


• Skilled in engaging a wider range of stakeholders and partners to enable effective collaboration which draws upon a diverse range of skill sets.


• Able to hold themselves, individuals and the wider team to account for performance and behaviours.


• Skilled in coaching and mentoring to enable appropriate career and professional development.


• Able to drive cultural and operational change across a diverse team, creating a culture of innovation and creativity.


• Able to operate with political astuteness, able to understand how to most effectively challenge the status quo.
  
  Why work for Warwickshire Police?


Warwickshire Police has gained a reputation as a pioneering and innovative force, responsible for policing a large diverse, multi-cultural population.
If you are looking for a fresh challenge which offers a genuine opportunity to make a real difference to people's lives, variety and the chance to broaden your experience, then Warwickshire Police is the force for you.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Warwickshire Police are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
We are working hard to increase diversity and inclusion within the Constabulary, where communities are under-represented, including those from minority ethnicity communities, people of all ages, abilities, faiths, religions and gender, LGBTQ+ communities and those from other disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds, who share our values and wish to make a difference to the communities we serve.
All applications will be treated on merit, based on the evidence provided in your application and suitability for the role you have applied for.

Recruitment and Selection Policy

Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the selection process, will be offered the role over the remaining internal and external applicants.

Police Barred and Advisory lists

Individuals placed on the Police Barred and Advisory lists will not be considered for employment by the police for a minimum of 5 years from the date of listing in the case of gross misconduct, or 3 years from the date of listing in the case of poor performance.

Vetting and safeguarding

Warwickshire Police are committed to safeguarding and operate safer recruitment processes, to ensure a police service that employees are proud to work for because they feel safe, valued and part of a happy and supportive work environment. All employees and volunteers therefore will be subject to background checks including vetting and references.
Job Profile or Other Relevant Document
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