At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead external communications to enhance public trust in UK democracy.
- Company: The Electoral Commission, a key player in maintaining democratic integrity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and a Civil Service pension scheme.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to a fair democracy for the future.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on democracy and engage with influential stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in external communications and stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 71000 - 75000 £ per year.
The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament.
It regulates party and election finance and sets standards for well-run elections.
It works to support a healthy democracy, where elections and referendums are based on principles of trust, participation, and no undue influence.
Voters are at the heart of our democracy and central to the Commission’s work.
Everything the Commission does is to help people trust, value and take part in elections.
Their vision is a fair democracy fit for the future.
This is what they strive towards in every aspect of their work.
THE ROLE
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead External Communications for an organisation at the very heart of the UK's democracy.
Reporting into the Director of Communications and External Affairs, you will lead delivery of the Commission’s external affairs function.
You will engage with the media and parliamentary stakeholders to build support for and understanding of the Commission’s work, objectives and value.
You will advise on and deliver effective communication strategies which reach key audiences.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As Head of External Communications, you will be responsible for
- Define, implement and evaluate the Commission’s external communications strategy, ensuring it supports long-term strategic goals
- Proactively address complex communications challenges, balancing transparency, impartiality, accuracy and authority across multiple stakeholder groups including the public, media, and parliamentarians.
- Oversee the Commission’s media engagement approach.
Proactively identifying and pursuing media opportunities to promote the Commission’s work and build understanding of the democratic system.
- Lead on the Commission’s public affairs strategy.
Alongside senior colleagues, build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the UK’s governments and parliaments.
- Provide strategic leadership on the maintenance of public and stakeholder confidence in the Commission, ensuring complex reputational risks are identified early, and appropriately managed and mitigated.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Extensive experience of leading external communications functions and delivering complex communications strategies, ideally including some experience in the public sector.
- Strong experience working, negotiating, influencing and building relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, including parliamentarians and the media.
- Strong experience of advising on communications best practice, and in maintaining communication standards.
- Experience of using a range of media and public affairs tactics to maximise results in media coverage and awareness amongst key audiences.
- Experience taking other professional disciplines into consideration when developing communication strategies, e. g. regulatory, policy, and legal.
- Strong experience of managing complex projects and large budgets.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
£71,000 - £75,000. Benefits include, Civil Service pension scheme, 28 days annual leave (rising to 30), flexi-time scheme.
We are an equal opportunities recruitment partner and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of background.
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Head of External Communications in London employer: The Electoral Commission
The Electoral Commission is an outstanding employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead External Communications at the heart of the UK's democracy. With a commitment to transparency and public engagement, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that values trust and participation, alongside competitive benefits such as a Civil Service pension scheme and generous annual leave. This role not only provides a platform for professional growth but also allows you to make a meaningful impact on the democratic process in the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of External Communications in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of External Communications in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
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Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of The Electoral Commission. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at The Electoral Commission.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Electoral Commission
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
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✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
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As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
