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- Tasks: Lead strategic communications and engagement for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
- Company: Join a vital public service organisation shaping community trust and engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant influence on public trust and internal morale.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on policing and community relations in Northern Ireland.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior communications roles and strong leadership skills required.
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. We are committed to providing accurate information on policing to the public and creating opportunities to listen to their views and to proactively respond to their concerns.
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 command confidence and trust internally and with external stakeholders, particularly with colleagues in press and media.
You will support the proactive use of media to provide timely information to the public and partners. 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.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex information in written and oral briefings.
- Demonstrable professional credibility in providing specialist communications and engagement advice to senior management regarding complex and high organisational impact issues.
- Experience of collaborative working at a senior level, both within a large organisation and externally on high profile 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.
Shortlisting will be carried out based on essential criteria. Please note in some instances, for example, where there is a high volume of applicants, desirable criteria may be assessed.
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. Please note that CVs will not be accepted. Any candidate requiring a reasonable adjustment in order to fully participate in the assessment process should provide the associated details within their application form. The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Tuesday 26th May 2026 at 15:00.
It should be noted that VANRATH will review application forms on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Candidates who meet the essential/desirable criteria will be invited to a short preliminary interview with VANRATH, the outcome of which will inform the final shortlisting decisions. The successful candidate will be issued with a provisional offer of appointment, subject to successfully completing all of the following pre-employment checks:
- Vetting
- Health Assessment
- Substance Misuse Test
- Online Learning
Further information regarding these stages is available via our recruitment website: This is a permanent appointment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a probationary period of 12 months.
Vetting
Appointment will be dependent on the individual satisfying the vetting requirements for the post which will vary according to the work area appointed to. 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. Full details will be provided to successful candidates.
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.
To request an application and candidate information pack, please email.
Strategic Director Of Communications employer: VANRATH
Contact Detail:
VANRATH Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Director Of Communications
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the communications field, especially those who have experience with public service organisations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Police Service of Northern Ireland's current communication strategies. Show us you understand their mission and how you can contribute to building trust within communities.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! As a strategic director, you'll need to convey complex ideas simply. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you've successfully engaged stakeholders and led communication initiatives.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Director Of Communications
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 & Engagement. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what they’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. Highlight any successful campaigns or initiatives you've led that demonstrate your ability to think strategically.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Avoid jargon and keep your language straightforward. Remember, you want to communicate your ideas effectively, just like you would in a public-facing role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to complete your application there.
How to prepare for a job interview at VANRATH
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the Police Service of Northern Ireland's current communications strategies and recent initiatives. Familiarise yourself with their mission and values, as well as any recent news or challenges they've faced. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your strategic communications experience. Focus on instances where you've developed successful communication strategies or managed high-profile stakeholder relationships. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Engage with Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Ask about their vision for the new Strategic Communications & Engagement Strategy or how they measure success in their communications efforts. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is right for you.
✨Be Authentic and Confident
As a potential leader, it's crucial to convey confidence and authenticity during your interview. Be yourself, share your passion for community engagement, and express how you can contribute to building trust within the communities they serve. Remember, they’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead a diverse team!