Head of Marketing and Communications in Penrith

About the Opportunity

Are you a senior marketing and communications leader who thrives in high-profile, fast-paced environments where reputation really matters? Foxgroves Recruitment is proud to be supporting Cumbria Constabulary with another significant appointment. Rated amongst the best HMIC-assessed forces in the country, Cumbria Constabulary is a high-performing, values-led organisation with a genuine commitment to transparency, public trust and community engagement. This is a rare opportunity to lead the entire marketing and communications function, reporting directly to the Director of Enabling Services and operating as a key member of the senior leadership team. This is a role with real influence. You'll shape how the Constabulary communicates with the public, the media and its own people — across every channel, from traditional press to digital platforms — protecting and enhancing the reputation of an organisation that serves communities across Cumbria every single day.

The Role

As Head of Marketing and Communications, you'll take full strategic and operational ownership of the function, leading a multi-disciplinary team across press office, digital and social media, internal and external communications, content production and marketing. You'll be the Constabulary's most senior adviser on all media, public relations and communications matters, with a seat at Chief Officer Group meetings and direct access to the top of the organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Define and implement the long-term strategic framework for marketing and communications across the Constabulary, spanning press office, social media, digital content, internal communications and marketing.
• Lead the Constabulary's digital and social media strategy, ensuring the organisation connects with communities through the right channels with engaging, timely content that builds trust and transparency.
• Advise the Chief Officer Team, area commanders and directors on all aspects of media, public relations and reputational risk management, including the fast-moving digital environment.
• Lead the communications response during major incidents and exercises, including real-time social media management, misinformation monitoring and multi-agency coordination across both traditional and digital channels.
• Manage and develop the Constabulary's brand across all platforms, ensuring it evolves to reflect the changing nature of the organisation and the expectations of the communities it serves.
• Contribute to the overall management of the Constabulary through participation in Chief Officer Group meetings, Senior Management Forum and key strategic boards.
• Plan and deliver integrated marketing, PR and content campaigns that enhance the Constabulary's reputation and support meaningful community engagement.
• Provide strategic direction on issues or initiatives with a substantive impact on public or staff perception, using data and audience insight to inform decision-making.
• Manage the Constabulary's relationships with all media at local, regional and national level.
• Own the internal communications strategy, ensuring a dispersed 24/7 workforce of over 2,000 people stays informed, connected and engaged.
• Drive culture change through effective internal communications and champion the Constabulary's values across every touchpoint.
• Oversee the media training policy and deliver training to members of the Constabulary where appropriate.
• Support the Constabulary's transparency and openness commitments, including oversight of Freedom of Information obligations and proactive publication.
• Represent the Constabulary at relevant county and regional committees and partner agency meetings.

About You

You'll be a confident, credible communications leader with the gravitas to advise at the very top of an organisation and the vision to drive a modern, multi-channel communications function. Equally comfortable managing a breaking story across live social media, briefing Chief Officers on reputational risk, or setting the long-term strategic direction for how the Constabulary connects with its communities, you'll bring energy, clarity and sound judgement to everything you do. You'll understand what it means to protect a public brand in a 24/7 environment where the news cycle never stops and the audience is always watching.

Ideally you will hold:

• A minimum of five years' senior management experience in marketing and communications at a strategic level.
• Significant experience in a fast-moving, high-profile environment where reputational risk management is critical.
• Strong digital and social media expertise, with a track record of using modern channels to build audience engagement and manage reputation.
• Exceptional media management experience, including leading the communications response to major incidents or high-profile events across both traditional and digital media.
• Experience advising and influencing at executive level on marketing and communications strategy.
• A clear understanding of content strategy, audience insight and the use of data to measure impact and inform decision-making.
• Strong leadership experience, preferably managing a multi-disciplinary marketing and communications team.
• Degree-level education with a working knowledge of media codes of practice and relevant legislation.
• A marketing or communications qualification would be an advantage.
• Able to commit to a minimum of three days per week at Police Headquarters in Penrith, Cumbria.

Benefits Package

• £62,208–£66,246 salary.
• Hybrid working (3 days on site at Penrith HQ / 2 home working).
• 24 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (rising to 30 days plus banks with service).
• Vehicle purchase scheme.
• Childcare vouchers.
• Excellent flexible working policy with ability to take up to 2 days a month from accrued hours – standard hours 37 hours a week.
• Option of condensed working hours over 4 days.
• Flexibility around time off for dependents.
• Free parking.

A Note on Political Restriction

Please note this is a politically restricted post. The successful candidate will be subject to restrictions on certain political activities in line with the relevant legislation. Full details will be provided during the recruitment process.

A Note on Vetting

Foxgroves Recruitment acts as an employment agency in this instance following fair and inclusive recruitment practices in line with the Equality Act 2010. Due to the nature of this employer, this appointment is subject to an enhanced vetting process. This means that in addition to standard pre-employment checks, you, and potentially your partner and any members of your household and parents, may be subject to police vetting as part of the recruitment process. Full details will be provided at the appropriate stage.