At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications and manage creative press campaigns for BBC Wales.
- Company: Join the iconic BBC, a leader in media and broadcasting.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, 25 days leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment that values diversity and supports career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the BBC's reputation and engage with diverse audiences.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic communications and media relations.
The predicted salary is between 59000 - 65000 £ per year.
CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed-Term Contract / Attachment, Full Time for 12 Months
DEPARTMENT: BBC Nations (Wales)
LOCATION: Cardiff
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £59,000 - £65,000 per annum depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights. Welsh language skills aren't required for this role.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
We need an experienced senior communications professional with a brilliant strategic mind and expert media handling skills. As Head of Communications in BBC Cymru Wales, you’ll be part of the senior team working to defend and enhance the BBC’s reputation.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
Working closely with the BBC Wales Head of Corporate Affairs, you will:
- Manage a team to plan and execute creative press and PR campaigns that support BBC programmes and priorities.
- Provide expert advice and reputation management on sensitive issues for BBC Wales and BBC Nations, acting as the first point of contact for press enquiries.
- Oversee budget and reporting, ensuring communications activity is evaluated and best practice is shared.
- Support social media channels and contribute to the creation of digital assets to enhance online engagement.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT
You will lead on the press office’s strategic planning, track and measure the success of campaigns through thorough evaluation and provide leadership, handling sensitive press issues and projects and providing out of hours support.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
- Senior strategic communications leadership - Proven experience leading strategic communications, media relations or press office functions, with the ability to set direction, manage competing priorities, lead high-performing teams and deliver a coherent communications approach aligned to organisational objectives.
- Expert media handling and reputation management capability - A strong track record of managing sensitive, high-profile media issues and crises, demonstrating sound judgement, authority under pressure and the ability to protect and enhance organisational reputation.
- Strategic content promotion and digital amplification expertise - Proven experience developing and delivering proactive communications and digital strategies which promote and amplify content, campaigns, programmes or services, including the effective use of existing and emerging channels to maximise reach and impact.
- Influential stakeholder engagement and advisory skills - A high level of interpersonal and influencing skills, with experience of building credibility with senior leaders and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, providing trusted advice, challenge and authoritative briefings.
- Evidence-led communications planning and evaluation - Demonstrable experience of setting objectives and performance measures, using data and insight to evaluate communications activity, demonstrate impact and inform strategic decision-making.
Disclaimer
This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.
Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory. Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.
Redeployment
The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.
Information at a Glance
This is your BBC. At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world’s best loved content, and the BBC’s mission to inform, educate and entertain.
Find out more about the BBC Life at BBC. Fair pay and flexible benefits including a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym. Excellent career and professional development. Support in your working life, including flexible working which you can discuss with us at any point during the application, selection or offer. A values-based organisation where the way we do things is important as what we do.
Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis or on an orchestra conditions contract. Learn more about life at the BBC and our values in our candidate pack.
Candidate pack
You belong. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential. We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity. We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in our strategy below. We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we’d be happy to discuss: reasonable.adjustments@bbc.co.uk.
BBC Wales Head of Communications in Cardiff employer: BBC Group and Public Services
At BBC Studios, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture in the heart of London. With competitive salaries, generous bonuses, and a commitment to employee growth, we empower our team to drive innovation and creativity in the media landscape. Join us to collaborate with industry leaders, develop your skills, and contribute to world-class commercial products that engage global audiences.
Contact Details:
BBC Group and Public Services Recruitment Team
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We think you need these skills to ace BBC Wales Head of Communications in Cardiff
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