At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead external affairs and corporate communications to enhance community safety and trust.
- Company: Join Essex Police, one of the UK's largest police forces, committed to innovation and public service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, permanent contract, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for strategic influence and career growth.
- Why this job: Shape strategies that unite communities and reduce crime in Greater Essex.
- Qualifications: Extensive executive-level experience in communications and stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 117800 € per year.
Location: Essex Police HQ, or other locations in Essex as required. This position necessitates office-based attendance, with local and national travel, to perform the duties as required.
Starting Salary: Competitive salary based on Assistant Chief Officer (ACO) banding.
Contract Type: Police Staff – Permanent
Closing Date: 17:00 Thursday 30th April 2026
Essex Police is seeking an exceptional communications leader to join our Chief Officer Group as Director of External Affairs and Corporate Communications. This is a rare opportunity within one of the UK’s largest police forces to bring communities and businesses together to help prevent and detect crime, build trust and confidence, and make Greater Essex an even safer place to live and work.
We are looking for a visionary professional, someone who can bring fresh perspective, strategic direction, and executive-level leadership to a complex and high-profile environment. Whether you come from the private, public or third sector, if you have the credibility, agility, and ambition to lead external affairs and corporate communications at scale, we want to hear from you.
About the Role
As a member of the Chief Officer Group (Executive Board), you will lead the development and delivery of Essex Police’s external affairs, corporate communications, and marketing strategies. You will be responsible for shaping how we engage with the public, partners, and stakeholders locally, regionally, and nationally.
This role is about more than just leading a high performing public affairs and corporate communications function. The role will help unite people and organisations to reduce crime, respond effectively to critical incidents and emergencies, keep the public informed and safe, and build a strong workforce and volunteer network of over 6,000 individuals dedicated to protecting and serving the entire county.
You will provide strategic advice at the highest level, lead through critical incidents and represent the Force across multi-agency partnerships and national forums, so that emergency services, local government and private businesses work together to make everyone safer.
As Head of Profession for external affairs and communications you will set standards, drive innovation, and inspire our teams to deliver excellence across all communications and public affairs activity. You will ensure that people and businesses across Greater Essex know how to avoid becoming a victim of crime, how to contact or to work with police officers and staff to get help or advice and – most importantly – you will help make the county a great place to live and a bad place to try to commit crime.
What We Are Looking For
- Extensive executive-level experience in external affairs, communications, media relations, marketing, employee engagement, and stakeholder engagement.
- A proven track record of operating at board level in large, complex organisations in the private, public or third sector.
- Strategic expertise in managing reputational risk, building trust and long-term brand development to support recruitment of the very best people and the creation of effective crime prevention campaigns.
- Political acumen and the ability to build effective relationships across agencies and sectors.
- Experience of leading high-performing teams and embedding long-term planning into a large-scale communications function.
- Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with a personal ethos of transparency, integrity, and professionalism.
- Prior experience in policing is not essential, but the ability to understand and navigate the public sector and landscape is.
Why Essex Police?
Essex Police is a values-led organisation committed to innovation, inclusion, and public service. We offer a unique opportunity to lead at the highest level, influence public trust and confidence, and make a tangible difference to the communities we serve.
You will be joining a collaborative and forward-thinking executive team, with the autonomy to shape strategy and the support to deliver it. Crime is falling in Greater Essex; this is your chance to join our officers, police staff and volunteers to make a fast-growing region an even safer place to work, to study, to travel through or to live in.
Director of External Affairs and Corporate Communications in Watford employer: HAVAS PEOPLE (LONDON )
Essex Police is an exceptional employer that values innovation, inclusion, and public service, offering a unique opportunity for leaders to influence public trust and make a tangible difference in the community. As part of a collaborative executive team, you will have the autonomy to shape strategies that enhance safety across Greater Essex, while enjoying competitive salaries and the chance to work in a dynamic environment that prioritises employee growth and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of External Affairs and Corporate Communications in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand Essex Police’s mission and how your skills align with their goals. This will not only help you answer questions but also show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference in the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for external affairs and corporate communications. Think about how you can bring fresh perspectives and strategic direction to the role. A clear, confident delivery can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Essex Police and contributing to making Greater Essex a safer place for everyone.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of External Affairs and Corporate Communications in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in external affairs and corporate communications. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your strategic expertise!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a potential Director, we’re keen to see examples of your executive-level leadership. Share specific instances where you’ve led high-performing teams or managed complex projects, especially in public or private sectors.
Be Authentic:We value transparency and integrity, so let your personality shine through in your application. Share your motivations for wanting to join Essex Police and how you can contribute to making Greater Essex a safer place.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there.
How to prepare for a job interview at HAVAS PEOPLE (LONDON )
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Essex Police's mission and values. Understand their current initiatives in external affairs and corporate communications. This will help you demonstrate your alignment with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership experiences and how you've successfully managed high-performing teams. Use specific examples to illustrate your strategic thinking and ability to navigate complex environments, especially in public or third sector settings.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about handling critical incidents or managing reputational risks. Think of past situations where you’ve had to make tough decisions or lead through crises, and be prepared to explain your thought process and outcomes.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Articulate how you can contribute to building trust and confidence within the community. Discuss innovative ideas for crime prevention campaigns and how you would engage with various stakeholders to foster collaboration across sectors.
