At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications and engagement for a vital public service organisation.
- Company: Join the Police Service of Northern Ireland, shaping community trust and communication.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for leadership and community influence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community policing and public engagement strategies.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and significant experience in senior communications roles.
The predicted salary is between 88268 - 97070 € per year.
We're proud to be partnering with the Police Service of Northern Ireland to recruit their new Director of Strategic Communications & Engagement. This is a rare opportunity to join the senior leadership team of one of Northern Ireland's most important public service organisations, helping shape how policing communicates, engages and builds trust with communities across the country.
The successful candidate will lead the development of a new Strategic Communications & Engagement Strategy, oversee internal and external communications, manage high-profile stakeholder relationships and play a key role in supporting visible, responsive, community-based policing.
KEY DETAILS:
- Location: Belfast
- Salary: £88,268 - £97,070 + allowance
- Applications close: Tuesday 26th May 2026 at 3pm
As the Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement, you will be responsible for the effective operation of the important communications function and will have a key role in supporting the delivery of visible, accessible, responsive and community-based policing. You will lead the development and delivery of a new Strategic Communications and Engagement Strategy, building on established foundations. Open and transparent communications and engagement are critical in building public trust and confidence within our communities and increasing understanding of the vital role that policing plays within society.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is seeking an innovative communications professional to lead this next phase of development for our Communications and Engagement function. You will have significant experience in providing communications support and advice at both a strategic and operational level. You will drive a more planned and proactive approach to communications, ensuring the organisation is well positioned to shape public understanding and confidence. You will also lead internal communications with police officers and staff to support organisational morale and wellbeing. Internal communications will be a key priority to ensure the workforce is equipped, engaged and empowered to deliver a quality service to the public.
All candidates with the experience and attributes outlined are encouraged to apply for a fulfilling professional role as the Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement within the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Reports to: Deputy Chief Constable
The Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement is responsible for overseeing and driving the internal and external communications service provision for the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The role holder will be responsible for developing and delivering a refreshed, integrated strategy that builds on existing foundations and sets a clear 3-5 year direction, aligned to policing priorities. The role holder will ensure a balanced approach to internal and external communications, lead insight-led messaging and clear organisation narrative, strengthen the PSNI's brand, and provide expert media, public relations and stakeholder engagement advice to the Chief Constable and members of the Service Executive Team.
The Person
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant area or full membership of a relevant professional body, for example, Chartered Institute of Public Relations, and Minimum of three years' experience in a senior role directly overseeing or supporting the Communications function in a complex and challenging, large organisation.
- 'Large' is defined as an organisation with more than 300 employees OR Minimum of five years' experience in a senior role directly overseeing or supporting the Communications function in a complex and challenging, large organisation.
- Evidence of strategy development skills demonstrated through the formulation and delivery of effective communication strategies, procedures and systems.
- Demonstrable professional credibility in providing specialist communications and engagement advice to senior management regarding complex and high organisational impact issues.
- Proven track record of strong leadership, evidenced through leading and motivating a diverse team of communications and engagement professionals to achieve high standards of performance and successful outcomes.
Other:
- IT literate specifically in the use of the Microsoft Office suite (including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Outlook).
- Applicants must have a valid driving licence and a car available for official business use, or access to a form of personal transport that will enable you to meet the requirements of the post in full.
Desirable Experience:
- Previous experience at a Director level with responsibility for organisational communication and engagement.
Welcoming Statement:
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is committed to being representative of the community we serve and welcomes all applicants interested in a career in policing.
Application:
Please submit your completed application and equality monitoring form to VANRATH.
Vetting:
- Health Assessment
- Substance Misuse Test
- Online Learning
Further information regarding these stages is available via our recruitment website: This is a permanent appointment. Please note that for all appointments there is a minimum requirement to have a three year checkable history immediately preceding the submission of a vetting questionnaire.
Salary:
The Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement is paid against NICS Grade 5 salary banding: £88,268 - £97,070 (under review) +£1422 environmental allowance.
Pension:
At point of joining, all police staff are automatically enrolled into the Northern Ireland Civil Service Pension Scheme (ALPHA) which is a voluntary contributory pension scheme. If you have a pension fund with another scheme, you may be able to bring these funds into your NICS pension.
Working Hours:
The normal working hours for this position are 37 working hours per week (42 hours gross) on a Monday - Friday pattern, with a requirement to work outside office hours when necessary to fulfil the requirements of the role.
Holiday Entitlement:
The Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement is entitled to 30 days' annual leave on entry to the organisation, plus 12 public and privilege holidays.
Strategic Communications Manager (Permanent) in Belfast employer: POLICE SERVICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to shape community engagement and trust through strategic communications. With a commitment to open and transparent communication, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises professional growth and well-being, alongside competitive salaries and generous leave entitlements. Located in Belfast, this role not only provides a chance to make a meaningful impact but also fosters a collaborative environment where innovative ideas are encouraged and valued.
Contact Detail:
POLICE SERVICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Communications Manager (Permanent) in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their current communications strategies and think about how you can contribute to their goals. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs—this will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your strategic vision for communications and engagement, as this is key for the Director role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in community policing—so show us what you’ve got!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Communications Manager (Permanent) in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Strategy Skills:Since this role involves developing a new Strategic Communications & Engagement Strategy, be sure to include examples of your past strategy development work. We want to see how you've successfully led similar initiatives in the past!
Highlight Leadership Experience:This position requires strong leadership skills, so don’t forget to mention your experience in leading diverse teams. Share specific examples of how you've motivated and guided your team to achieve high standards.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, so don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at POLICE SERVICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the Police Service of Northern Ireland's current communications strategies and community engagement efforts. Familiarise yourself with their recent initiatives and challenges, so you can discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience in communications. Think about times when you motivated a team or successfully managed stakeholder relationships. Be ready to explain how you can lead the development of a new Strategic Communications & Engagement Strategy.
✨Engage with Insight
Since the role involves insight-led messaging, come prepared with ideas on how to gather and utilise community feedback. Discuss methods you've used in the past to shape public understanding and confidence, and how you would apply these in this role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, ask insightful questions about the organisation's vision for community-based policing and how they measure the success of their communications strategies. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
