At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications and engagement for a forward-thinking local authority.
- Company: Dynamic local authority in Oxfordshire with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to shape impactful communications.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence high-profile projects and drive organisational change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in community engagement and reputation management.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic communications and stakeholder management.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
- Interim Strategic Lead - Communications, Policy & Performance
- 6-Month Interim Contract | Hybrid Working | Local Authority | Oxfordshire
Sellick Partnership are partnering with a forward-thinking local authority to appoint an experienced Interim Strategic Lead - Communications, Policy & Performance on an initial six-month contract.
This is a senior leadership opportunity with a strong emphasis on communications, engagement and reputation management.
Our client is looking for an individual who can provide strategic leadership to its communications function, acting as a trusted adviser to senior leadership and elected members while driving proactive stakeholder engagement and organisational messaging.
Whilst the role also holds responsibility for policy, performance, insight and risk management, these areas are secondary to the core communications remit.
As such, we're particularly interested in speaking with experienced communications leaders who have operated at a strategic level within complex organisations.
- Key Responsibilities of the Strategic Lead - Communications, Policy & Performance:
- Lead the council's communications and engagement function, ensuring a clear and consistent strategic approach across the organisation.
- Act as the principal adviser on communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement and reputation management.
- Develop and deliver communications strategies that support corporate priorities, transformation programmes and organisational change.
- Provide communications support and counsel to senior leadership and elected members on high-profile and politically sensitive matters.
- Lead proactive engagement with residents, partners, businesses and key stakeholders.
- Oversee crisis communications and reputational risk management activity.
- Provide strategic oversight of corporate policy, performance, insight and risk management arrangements.
- Support the use of organisational performance data and insight to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
The Strategic Lead - Communications, Policy & Performance will have
- Significant experience leading communications, engagement, public affairs, media or corporate affairs functions.
- A track record of advising senior leaders on complex communications and stakeholder management issues.
- Strong experience in reputation management, strategic communications planning and engagement delivery.
- Excellent leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility quickly across a range of stakeholders.
- Experience operating within a politically sensitive or complex organisational environment.
- The ability to balance strategic communications leadership with broader corporate responsibilities including performance, policy or organisational improvement.
Desirable Experience
- Local government or wider public sector experience.
- Experience supporting transformation, organisational change or service redesign programmes.
- Relevant professional qualifications or memberships such as CIPR, CMI or ILM.
This assignment offers the chance to take ownership of a high-profile communications portfolio at a pivotal time for the organisation.
The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping how the council communicates, engages and builds confidence with its stakeholders, whilst also contributing to wider corporate leadership priorities.
Communications Lead in England employer: Consult
At Consult, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture. Our North America team is dedicated to professional growth, offering robust training and development opportunities while working in a fast-paced, innovative environment. Join us to be part of a collaborative team that values your contributions and supports your career aspirations in the exciting MedTech sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Lead in England
✨Join PR Communities
Get involved in local PR groups or online communities where professionals gather to share opportunities and insights. Engage in conversations on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn—spotting temporary roles often happens in these spaces.
✨Attend PR Events
Look for industry events, workshops, or conferences that focus on public relations. Not only will you learn from the pros, but you might also meet someone who's looking for temporary help, which is perfect for a gig like this!
✨Showcase Your Skills
Create a portfolio that highlights any past PR work, campaigns, or even university projects. Share it on your social media or PR forums—you want to make sure your great work is visible when the right temporary role comes up.
✨Apply Directly on Our Website
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We think you need these skills to ace Communications Lead in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:When you're applying for a temporary role in public relations, your cover letter is your chance to show off your passion for the field. Highlight any relevant PR experience you have, even if it's just through internships or volunteer work. Tell us why you're excited about the opportunity at Consult and how you can help make an impact, even in a short time!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Public relations is all about communicating effectively, so make sure your CV reflects this! Use clear, concise language and showcase any writing samples you might have, such as press releases, blog posts, or social media campaigns. Including a link to a portfolio could really set you apart from other candidates.
Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability:Since this is a temporary role, we want to see how quickly you can jump in and start contributing. Mention past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or quickly adapted to changing situations. It’s these qualities that will show us you can thrive at Consult even on a short-term basis!
Research Consult and the Industry:Before submitting your application, take some time to learn about Consult and its approach to PR. Mention anything specific you like about their campaigns or strategies in your cover letter. This extra effort shows us you're genuinely interested and ready to bring your unique perspective to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Consult
✨Brush Up on Your Crisis Management Skills
In public relations, handling crises is key. Be ready to discuss past situations where you managed communication challenges effectively. Bring examples that showcase your quick thinking and strategic response – they want to see you in action!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio of Campaigns
Since this is a temporary role, showcasing your portfolio is crucial. Make sure you have a collection of your best press releases, campaign plans, or media coverage. You want to prove you can hit the ground running and bring valuable experience to Consult right away!
✨Know Your Media Landscape
A strong PR candidate should be familiar with the media landscape. Brush up on key journalists, publications, and current trends in communications. Think about how you’d tailor messages to different media outlets – you might get asked about this during the interview!
✨Be Ready to Discuss Networking Strategies
Networking is a big part of PR work, especially in a temporary role. Be prepared to chat about your previous networking experiences or how you plan to build key relationships quickly at Consult. They’ll want to know you can create buzz and leverage your connections immediately!
