Head of Communications, Engagement & Partnerships in Newport

Salary range - £61,098 - £78,449

Closing Date - 07/09/2026, 23:55

Location - The Authority's headquarters will be located at Rhydycar Business Park, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ. This will be the principal place of work and where most colleagues will come together to collaborate with one another and with stakeholders. The successful candidate will be expected to attend the office in Merthyr Tydfil regularly to support collaboration and stakeholder engagement. For full-time employees, this will typically be 2-3 days per week, with attendance requirements adjusted on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees. As a national organisation serving communities across Wales, the DTA will also establish a number of regional hubs and collaboration spaces. Details of these locations are currently being developed and will be confirmed ahead of the Authority becoming operational. Merthyr Tydfil will remain the Authority's headquarters.

Purpose of post: Help shape the voice of one of Wales' newest public organisations. The Disused Tips Authority for Wales is being established as the national public body responsible for overseeing the safety, management and regulation of disused tips across Wales. Operating in a high-profile, safety-critical environment, our success will depend not only on the quality of our technical work, but on the trust and confidence we build with the communities we serve, our partners and the wider public. As Head of Communications & Partnerships, you will play a critical leadership role in establishing that trust from day one. You will shape how the Authority communicates, engages and builds relationships, ensuring people understand our purpose, our decisions and the actions we take to keep communities safe. Your work will help create confidence through clear, transparent and consistent communication, particularly when discussing complex issues and risk.

This is a broad strategic role. Alongside leading all aspects of communications, engagement and stakeholder partnerships, you will be responsible for translating the Board's strategic vision into the Authority's Corporate Plan, ensuring our priorities are clearly articulated and aligned across the organisation. The role is both inward and outward facing: Internally, you will create a shared sense of purpose, helping colleagues understand our strategy, values and priorities. Externally, you will build trusted relationships with communities, partners, government and stakeholders, strengthening confidence in the Authority and its work.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the voice, reputation and strategic direction of a new national organisation, helping establish the Disused Tips Authority as a trusted public body and a recognised centre of excellence in public safety, engagement and transparent communication.

Important: The Disused Tips Authority for Wales will be established as an independent Welsh Public Body and separate legal entity on 1 April 2027. Until then, these roles will be hosted by the Welsh Government, providing a unique opportunity to help create and shape a new national organisation from the outset. Successful candidates will initially be employed by the Welsh Government before transferring to the Disused Tips Authority when it becomes operational on 1 April 2027, with continuity of employment maintained throughout.

Key Tasks:

• Building trust through communication: You'll develop and lead the Authority's communications strategy, ensuring our internal and external communications are clear, accessible and consistent. You'll help explain complex technical issues in ways that build understanding, confidence and public trust.
• Engaging communities and partners: You'll develop meaningful relationships with communities, local authorities, Welsh Government, industry, regulators and other partners, ensuring people feel informed, listened to and involved in the Authority's work.
• Shaping our organisational identity: You'll help establish the Authority's reputation as a trusted, transparent and distinctively Welsh public organisation, developing our corporate narrative, brand and public profile from the outset.
• Supporting strategic delivery: You'll lead the development, publication and communication of the Authority's Corporate Plan and operational plans, ensuring colleagues and stakeholders understand how our priorities translate into delivery and public outcomes.
• Leading communications in a high-profile environment: You'll provide strategic communications advice to the Chief Executive, Executive Team and Board, supporting media relations, public affairs and stakeholder engagement in a politically sensitive and highly scrutinised environment.
• Developing people and capability: You'll build and lead a high-performing Communications & Partnerships team, creating an environment where people can thrive, develop professionally and deliver excellent outcomes.

Successful candidates will demonstrate substantial senior-level experience in communications, engagement, public affairs, stakeholder relations, partnership management or closely related disciplines, with a proven track record of building stakeholder confidence and delivering organisational outcomes.

Technical Capabilities: Important: The technical capabilities listed below will be assessed throughout the selection process. Please refer to these capabilities when preparing your application and provide evidence of how you meet them through your qualifications, skills and experience.

• Strategic Communications & Engagement: Developing and delivering organisation-wide communications and engagement strategies. Translating complex or technical information into clear, accessible and engaging communications.
• Stakeholder & Partnership Management: Building trusted relationships with government, public bodies, communities and partner organisations. Influencing and collaborating across organisational boundaries to deliver shared outcomes.
• Reputation & Public Confidence: Protecting and enhancing organisational reputation. Leading communications within politically sensitive, high-profile or highly scrutinised environments.
• Strategic Planning & Delivery: Supporting the development and communication of organisational strategy, corporate plans or major programmes. Aligning communications activity to organisational priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Leadership & Team Development: Leading and developing communications or engagement teams. Creating a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and professional excellence.
• Communication & Judgement: Providing strategic advice to senior leaders on communications, stakeholder engagement and reputation. Exercising sound judgement when managing complex, sensitive or rapidly evolving issues.