Head of Campaigns in Edinburgh

Basis: Permanent, full time, 36 hours per week. London-based employees receive an additional £3,217 London weighting. A £312 tax-free working from home allowance is also payable annually.

Location: Cardiff, Belfast or Edinburgh (Hybrid – minimum 2 days in office) or Remote (UK).

Benefits: Outstanding benefits including Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working, 28+ days holiday, and more.

About the Electoral Commission: The Electoral Commission is the UK’s independent body overseeing elections and regulating political finance. Everything we do is about ensuring trust, participation, and integrity in the democratic process. As we enter a bold new chapter under our five-year Corporate Plan, we are increasing our workforce and transforming how we plan and deliver core services.

About the role: This is a senior leadership role with national impact. As Head of Campaigns and Voter Materials, you will lead the design and delivery of the Commission’s high‑profile public awareness campaigns, ensuring voters across the UK have clear, accurate and timely information about elections and how to take part. You will also oversee the Commission’s voter forms function, ensuring all materials meet legislative requirements, are accessible, and support both voters and electoral administrators.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Setting the strategic direction for UK‑wide public awareness campaigns, adapting content in response to legislative change, so that voters have accurate, up‑to‑date information.
• Leading the delivery of high‑profile, multi‑million‑pound campaigns that drive voter registration, participation and engagement.
• Acting as the senior client for creative and media buying agencies, ensuring strong performance, evaluation and value for money.
• Overseeing the development and maintenance of accurate, accessible voter forms.
• Managing significant budgets, forecasting spend, and ensuring campaign activity remains within statutory limits.
• Providing inclusive, visible leadership to a multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

This role plays a critical part in helping voters confidently participate in elections and in supporting the resilience of the UK’s democratic system.

About the team: You will lead the Campaigns and Voter Materials Team, a specialist team combining expertise in public communications, marketing, and accessibility. The team works collaboratively across the Commission and with external partners to deliver campaigns and materials that are evidence‑based, inclusive and trusted by voters and stakeholders. The culture is professional, supportive and outward‑looking, with a strong focus on learning, innovation and continuous improvement.

Who we’re looking for: This role would suit an experienced senior communications or campaigns leader who is motivated by public impact and complex national delivery. You are likely to bring:

• Significant experience leading large‑scale public awareness or marketing campaigns, including paid‑for advertising.
• Strong understanding of applying behavioural science and insight to improve campaign effectiveness.
• Proven experience managing agency contracts and complex supplier relationships.
• Confidence managing substantial budgets and operating within statutory or regulatory constraints.
• A track record of inclusive leadership, developing high‑performing teams through change.
• The ability to interpret legislative or policy change and translate it into clear, effective public communications.
• Experience working in a regulated, public sector or politically sensitive environment would be advantageous, but is not essential.

Why work for us? This is a rare opportunity to shape national media campaigns seen by millions of people across the UK and to make a direct contribution to democratic participation. We offer a strong total reward package, including: Flexible working and hybrid model (40% office minimum) 28 rising to 30 days annual leave.