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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications and engage communities through creative storytelling.
- Company: Join the dynamic and diverse Church of England Birmingham, impacting 1.5 million lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options, and generous holiday leave.
- Why this job: Make a difference by sharing inspiring stories and enhancing community connections.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications or media, with strong storytelling and digital skills required.
- Other info: We value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Us
The Diocese of Birmingham, or The Church of England Birmingham (CofEB) is an area that is young, culturally diverse, creative, dynamic and constantly changing. In the midst of the political, economic, social and environmental changes, God is at work, inside and outside the church. We cover an area of nearly 300 square miles and includes parishes in the West Midlands including Birmingham and parts of Solihull, Sandwell, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Here there are over 190 CofE worshipping communities with an average weekly attendance of 17,000 from a population of 1.5 million. Under our shared vision of ‘Growing churches at the heart of each community,’ our churches aim to be diverse, welcoming, sustainable and vibrant; having a positive impact on their communities by demonstrating the love of God.
Purpose of the Role
To lead in implementing a strategic, Christ-centred communications approach that strengthens internal communications with clergy and churches, increases the diocese’s visibility, and reaches the wider community through compelling storytelling and creative media engagement; this will start by reviewing our current communication channels and working with stakeholders to assess the effectiveness and future of these channels and explore new opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Communications Leadership
- Develop and deliver the diocesan communications strategy in line with the vision, values, and mission of the diocese.
- Lead regular reviews of the strategy to ensure ongoing effectiveness and responsiveness to emerging needs.
- Internal Communications
- Create engaging channels to keep leaders and churches informed and inspired, including newsletters, briefings, and social platforms.
- Develop an accessible online resource hub for church leaders.
- External Communications & Visibility
- Review the diocesan website and social media platforms and explore options for making these fit for communicating our message.
- Develop content strategies that reflect diocesan life, events, and the gospel in creative and relevant ways.
- Establish partnerships with local media, podcast/radio outlets, and digital influencers.
- Crisis Communications
- Implement and oversee a proactive crisis communications protocol.
- Serve as (or support) the diocesan spokesperson during emergencies or reputational challenges.
- Prepare reactive and holding statements and ensure timely and sensitive responses to media enquiries.
- Digital Evangelism & Innovation
- Encourage and equip churches to adopt digital tools and platforms for outreach.
- Lead campaigns that highlight stories of faith, transformation, and diocesan impact.
- Capacity Building
- Design and deliver communications training for clergy and church teams.
- Mentor and support deanery or parish-based communications volunteers or officers.
- Monitoring & Evaluation
- Track engagement, reach, and effectiveness using digital analytics and community feedback.
- Report regularly to diocesan leadership with recommendations for improvement.
Person Specification
Essential
- Proven experience in communications, PR, or media (ideally in a faith-based, non-profit, or public sector setting)
- Strong written, verbal, and visual storytelling skills
- Skilled in managing websites, social media, and digital tools
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills
- Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities
- A keen understanding of the Christian Faith and alignment with the vision, mission, and values of the CofE including a passion for communicating the gospel.
Desirable
- Knowledge of Church of England structures and ethos
- Theological literacy and ability to communicate Christian themes clearly
- Experience of crisis communications and media handling
- Creative thinker with ability to generate engaging content and campaigns
- Photography, video editing or graphic design experience
- Understanding of digital accessibility and inclusion
- Experience supporting or managing volunteers
- Qualification in communications, journalism, or marketing
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work. We welcome applications from any individuals who feel that they meet the person specification for any post, in particular from those who are currently under-represented in our staff teams such as those from Global Majority Heritage or UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQI+.
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment.
Terms and Conditions
The role is full-time with an annual salary of £45,000. Holiday of 5 weeks per year, 3 discretionary days, and bank holidays. Location: Diocesan Office in Central Birmingham or other locations (with opportunity for hybrid working with a minimum of 40% of the working week based “on-site”). The post is subject to satisfactory references and completion of Safeguarding Training. The role may require weekend and evening availability with an accompanying Time Off In Lieu policy. The role will be line managed by the Diocesan Secretary and have oversight from the Suffragan Bishop of Aston. The employer is BDBF (Birmingham Diocesan Board of Finance).
CLOSING DATE: 14 July 2025
INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD IN CENTRAL BIRMINGHAM ON: 29 July 2025
Head of Communications employer: The Church of England
Contact Detail:
The Church of England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Communications
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Church of England's values and mission. Understanding their ethos will help you align your communication strategies with their vision, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the Diocese of Birmingham. Engaging in conversations can provide you with insider knowledge about the organisation's culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your storytelling skills through various media. Prepare examples of past campaigns or projects that highlight your ability to communicate effectively, especially in a faith-based context, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends in digital communications and crisis management. Being knowledgeable about the latest tools and strategies will demonstrate your commitment to innovation and effectiveness in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Communications
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing your application, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Head of Communications role. Familiarise yourself with the Diocese of Birmingham's mission and values to tailor your application accordingly.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should highlight your relevant experience in communications, PR, or media, particularly in faith-based or non-profit settings. Use specific examples to demonstrate your storytelling skills and how they align with the diocese's vision.
Showcase Your Skills: In your CV, emphasise your strong written, verbal, and visual storytelling skills. Include any experience with crisis communications, digital tools, and content creation that showcases your ability to engage diverse audiences.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for this specific role. Address how your background and skills meet the essential and desirable criteria listed in the job description, particularly your understanding of the Christian faith and alignment with the CofE's values.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Church of England
✨Understand the Church's Vision
Familiarise yourself with the Diocese of Birmingham's mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your communications strategy can align with their vision of 'Growing churches at the heart of each community'. This shows your commitment and understanding of their goals.
✨Showcase Your Storytelling Skills
As a Head of Communications, storytelling is key. Prepare examples of past campaigns or projects where you effectively communicated a message. Highlight your ability to engage diverse audiences through creative content that resonates with them.
✨Prepare for Crisis Scenarios
Given the role's responsibility in crisis communications, think of potential scenarios the church might face. Be ready to discuss how you would handle these situations, including crafting statements and managing media inquiries.
✨Demonstrate Digital Savvy
The role requires a strong grasp of digital tools and platforms. Be prepared to discuss your experience with social media, website management, and digital analytics. Share how you've used these tools to enhance visibility and engagement in previous roles.
