At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and uplift communications strategy across the organisation with expert guidance.
- Company: Join a dynamic team within the UK government, making a real impact.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Mentor communications professionals and drive continuous improvement in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Shape high-quality communications and influence senior leaders in a meaningful way.
- Qualifications: Extensive UK government experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
Inside IR35 - Must have an active SC Clearance - Hybrid working
Role Purpose: Provide visible, expert leadership to realise the communications strategy and uplift communications capability across the organisation. You will set standards for high-quality, user-centred communications, build skills and confidence across teams, and ensure communications activity is evidence-based, integrated with programme delivery, and achieves measurable outcomes. You will partner with senior leaders, programme teams and suppliers to drive consistency, compliance with good practice, and delivery at pace.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategy, Planning & Governance: Translate departmental/organisational communications strategy into a deliverable roadmap with clear objectives, audiences, channels, messages and measures. Establish and run governance for communications (planning cycles, editorial boards, approvals, campaign assurance, brand and accessibility compliance). Integrate communications plans with programme delivery schedules, milestones and benefits; ensure readiness for major releases/go-lives.
- Capability Uplift & Good Practice: Lead a structured capability uplift programme (skills assessment, curriculum, toolkits, playbooks, coaching, communities of practice). Define and embed standards and templates (audience insight, message frameworks, channel selection, evaluation, plain English, accessibility). Provide coaching and feedback to senior leaders and SMEs on effective narrative, presentation, and stakeholder communications.
- Stakeholder & Senior Leadership Engagement: Build trusted relationships with SROs, programme leadership, policy/operations and HR, aligning comms to business outcomes. Challenge and influence senior leaders constructively to uphold standards and make evidence-based decisions. Coordinate communications with suppliers and delivery partners, ensuring message alignment and contractual deliverables on communications where relevant.
- Risk, Assurance & Measurement: Maintain a communications RAID approach (reputational, operational, and stakeholder risks); define mitigations and escalation routes. Establish KPIs and evaluation frameworks (reach, engagement, sentiment, comprehension, behaviour change), producing clear insights and recommendations. Prepare for and respond to internal/external reviews and audits; track actions to closure.
- Team Leadership & Operations (particularly for G6): Line-manage and mentor communications professionals; role-model inclusive leadership and civil service values. Own the comms operating model, including resourcing, supplier management, budget oversight, and continuous improvement.
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Substantial UK government experience in a similar role within a complex programme/project environment of significant scale with multiple stakeholders and suppliers.
- Dynamic, visible leadership with proven ability to influence in a multi-disciplinary environment; line management experience (expected at G6).
- Proven track record of delivering at pace, meeting quality standards and deadlines across concurrent initiatives.
- Confidence to challenge and influence senior leaders, using evidence and insight to drive decisions.
- Problem ownership: identifies risks and gaps early, designs pragmatic solutions, and delivers positive outcomes.
- Role-models communications best practice and coaches others to enhance capability.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with strong attention to detail and the ability to craft clear, concise, audience-appropriate content.
- Hands-on experience of communications planning, audience insight, editorial processes, measurement/evaluation, and flexing methods (eg, Agile/hybrid environments) to delivery priorities.
Communications Lead in Bedford employer: BOSS ERP Consulting
As a Communications Lead within our organisation, you will thrive in a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises professional growth and development. We offer hybrid working arrangements, competitive benefits, and the opportunity to lead impactful communications strategies that drive meaningful change across the UK government landscape. Join us to collaborate with senior leaders and diverse teams, enhancing your skills while contributing to high-quality, user-centred communications that make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Lead in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for a Communications Lead role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s communications strategy and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see you shine, so practice articulating your achievements and how they can benefit the organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you note to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that dream job! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for us to see your application and get you in front of the right people. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Communications Lead in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Communications Lead. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role requires dynamic leadership, don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've influenced teams or stakeholders in the past. We want to see your ability to drive change and uplift communications capability.
Be Clear and Concise:Your written application should reflect the high standards we expect in communications. Keep your language clear and concise, ensuring it’s audience-appropriate. Remember, attention to detail is key!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BOSS ERP Consulting
✨Know Your Communications Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the communications strategy of the organisation. Be ready to discuss how you would translate their strategy into a deliverable roadmap, and think about specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to achieve measurable outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Communications Lead, you'll need to exhibit dynamic leadership. Prepare to share instances where you've influenced senior leaders or built trusted relationships with stakeholders. Highlight your experience in mentoring others and how you've uplifted communication capabilities within teams.
✨Prepare for Evidence-Based Discussions
Since the role requires making evidence-based decisions, come equipped with data or case studies that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about how you've identified risks early and designed pragmatic solutions in previous roles, and be ready to discuss these in detail.
✨Master the Art of Clear Communication
Given the emphasis on high-quality, user-centred communications, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Prepare to demonstrate your writing skills by discussing how you craft audience-appropriate content and ensure compliance with good practices in your previous work.
