Head of Corporate Communications in Wolverhampton

Do you have the vision to shape the voice and reputation of one of the UK's largest pension funds?

About WMPF

WMPF is one of the UK’s largest pension funds providing local authority pension benefits for employees across the West Midlands. We manage and administer the pension interests of over 330,000 scheme members, 800+ employers and currently have over £22 billion in assets under management.

We are recruiting for a Head of Corporate Communications to lead our continually growing Communications area. Our brand-new offices are based at the i9 building in Wolverhampton and is an excellent location for transport links by car, bus, train and tram.

What the day will look like

Responsibilities include:

• Leading and delivering the Fund's corporate communications strategy.
• Providing senior communications advice on high-profile, sensitive and reputational matters.
• Overseeing internal communications, external communications, digital channels, campaigns and stakeholder engagement.
• Managing media handling, issues management and brand governance.
• Driving innovation, performance measurement and continuous improvement across the communications function.
• Developing strong relationships with members, employers, councillors, partners and industry stakeholders.

About you

We're looking for an experienced communications leader who can combine strategic thinking with excellent stakeholder engagement.

You’ll bring:

• Significant senior-level experience leading a communications or corporate affairs function.
• Expertise in strategic communications, reputation management, media relations and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience advising senior leaders on complex or sensitive communications issues.
• Outstanding written, verbal and editorial skills, with the ability to explain complex information in plain English.
• Strong leadership skills with experience developing high-performing teams and delivering measurable outcomes.

Why choose the West Midlands Pension Fund?

• You will receive a generous holiday entitlement (starting with 26 days a year plus bank holidays).
• We usually work two days a week in the office and three from home.
• We have a modern office environment that offers a relaxed working atmosphere with study and breakout areas, meeting rooms and kitchens with free tea and coffee making facilities.
• There are also cloakrooms, bike stores, showers and lockers available.
• Other benefits whilst working for the fund include the employee awards scheme and on-the-job development where you will be provided with comprehensive study support for professional exams, formal education & structured training and the potential to advance within a growing organisation.
• Working at the fund is a great way to start or develop your career and will give you the opportunity to explore, question and collaborate. You will build your skills and knowledge but also a network where everyone is here to help support you learn and develop in a place where you can thrive both professionally and personally making a shared impact.
• We are delighted to have been accredited PASA, Investors in People, customer service excellence and we have Bronze Organisational Membership with the British Dyslexia Association and are working towards their Smart Award, which further underlines our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

How we support our colleagues

• In addition to our comprehensive benefits package, we encourage a diverse workforce.
• Plus, our agile, inclusive environment allows you to manage your wellbeing and work/life balance.
• You also have 24-hour access to an employee assistance programme.
• As a new employee of our Communications team, you will receive a robust interactive 6-week induction plan providing you the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders across the fund.
• You will also be enrolled onto a range of professional training courses including an introduction to the LGPS and team building to encourage collaborative working, allowing you to thrive in your new role.

For full details of the responsibilities and requirements of this role please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Our working arrangements

All council roles are allocated to either a fixed, field or flexible work style. Some roles are agile which enable and empower employees to maximise their performance and productivity, whilst maintaining a healthy work life balance. Roles with a fixed workstyle work in a fixed permanent council location. Roles with a field workstyle are usually allocated where employees are required to be out working in the community with a minimum requirement for 'touch down' space at any council location. Roles with a flexible workstyle have a flexible base location to meet the needs of the business and employees can work from a mixture of home or any council office, partner/client, or external location, as required to meet service requirements.

Please refer to the Job Description for further information on the workstyle assigned to the role you are applying for.

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