Deputy Head Of Media And Communications in Lewes

Division / Department - Media and Communications

Grade - M3

Status - Full Time or Happy to Talk Flexible Working

Contract Type - Permanent

Salary Grade Range - £64,869 - £76,794

Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

Shift Allowance - No

Politically Restricted - Yes

Location - Lewes

The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.

Chief Constables' Message: We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe. We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you. We wish you all the very best with your application.

The Role & Key Responsibilities: We are seeking a highly motivated communications professional to join our award-winning team as Deputy Head of Media and Communications. We want expertise, experience and flair, naturally, but more than that we’re looking for strong leadership skills that will enhance our services to engage and help protect communities across Sussex.

• You will be responsible and accountable for the day-to-day management of the communications function; motivating, inspiring and developing our team to maximise performance and deliver tangible outcomes that promote trust and confidence in policing and keep people safe.
• The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in delivering critical areas of organisational strategy, ensuring professional, consistent and evidence-based communications that support, directly and indirectly, our commitment to protecting communities, catching criminals, and delivering an outstanding service.
• Your portfolio will include direct line management across a range of functions including media, social, strategic communications, digital and creative, where you will provide advice, expertise and demonstrate exemplary leadership behaviours, as well as deputising for the Head of Department as required.
• Your role will involve regularly advising Chief Officers and senior leaders, working collaboratively with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and with strategic partners at a local and national level.
• To support our success, you will need to build strong relationships quickly, influence and negotiate effectively at all levels, and be comfortable dealing with complex, sensitive and contentious issues, often in a high pressure environment.

Skills & Experience:

• Degree-level academic or professional qualification in a communications discipline, or significant experience at a senior level in a media and communications environment.
• Relevant professional experience in delivery of successful multi-channel communications projects in a high profile or large public sector organisations.
• Strong strategic judgement in developing the communications response to complex or reputationally challenging issues or events with potential to impact workforce, stakeholder and/or public confidence.
• Experience of leading, motivating and developing high performing and outcome-focused teams and all aspects of business unit management.
• Confident influencing and advising senior stakeholders including in a political context.

Why Work With Us? Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working. We encourage agile working, giving you the opportunity to manage your own diary and work wherever you give the best service to the public. This may include flexi-time and home working. We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits:

• Career progression
• Contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Discounts for everyday spend
• On-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
• Generous and supportive parental leave
• Financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• Discounted contributory healthcare scheme

Further Information: We want to recruit the best and will work with you to find a way of working that best supports you and the organisation, with both flexible and hybrid working available. You will be based at Sussex Police Headquarters in Lewes, East Sussex, with expectation of travel across Sussex and nationally where required. Closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 2 August. Interview dates will be confirmed after shortlisting. This is a politically restricted position.

Diversity Statement: We are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all. We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement. We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.