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- Tasks: Lead and uplift communications strategy across the organisation, ensuring high-quality, user-centred content.
- Company: Join a dynamic team within a prominent government programme in Shropshire.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Shape communication strategies that drive change and engage diverse audiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in government communications and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Whitehall Resources are currently looking for a Communications Lead – SC cleared based in Shropshire for an initial 2-month contract.
Job spec:
- Provide visible, expert leadership to realise the communications strategy and uplift communications capability across the organisation.
- Set standards for high-quality, user-centred communications, build skills and confidence across teams, and ensure communications activity is evidence-based, integrated with programme delivery, and achieves measurable outcomes.
- Partner with senior leaders, programme teams and suppliers to drive consistency, compliance with good practice, and delivery at pace.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Translate departmental/organisational communications strategy into a deliverable roadmap with clear objectives, audiences, channels, messages and measures.
- Establish and run governance for communications (planning cycles, editorial boards, approvals, campaign assurance, brand and accessibility compliance).
- Integrate communications plans with programme delivery schedules, milestones and benefits; ensure readiness for major releases/go-lives.
- Lead a structured capability uplift programme (skills assessment, curriculum, toolkits, playbooks, coaching, communities of practice).
- Define and embed standards and templates (audience insight, message frameworks, channel selection, evaluation, plain English, accessibility).
- Provide coaching and feedback to senior leaders and SMEs on effective narrative, presentation, and stakeholder communications.
- Commission and use audience insight (quantitative/qualitative) to shape strategy and content.
- Oversee creation of high-quality content (briefings, speeches, employee updates, stakeholder packs, press lines, digital content) with strong attention to detail.
- Optimise channel mix (internal: town halls, intranet, Yammer/Teams, newsletters; external: GOV.UK, media, social, stakeholder networks), ensuring consistency and timely delivery.
- Build trusted relationships with SROs, programme leadership, policy/operations and HR, aligning comms to business outcomes.
- Challenge and influence senior leaders constructively to uphold standards and make evidence-based decisions.
- Coordinate communications with suppliers and delivery partners, ensuring message alignment and contractual deliverables on communications where relevant.
- Maintain a communications RAID approach (reputational, operational, and stakeholder risks); define mitigations and escalation routes.
- Establish KPIs and evaluation frameworks (reach, engagement, sentiment, comprehension, behaviour change), producing clear insights and recommendations.
- Prepare for and respond to internal/external reviews and audits; track actions to closure.
- Align communications to change and business readiness plans (training, adoption, stakeholder briefings, go-live comms, early life support messaging).
- Plan and deliver major events (roadshows, leadership briefings, stakeholder forums), with clear objectives, success measures, and feedback loops.
- Line-manage and mentor communications professionals; role-model inclusive leadership and civil service values.
- Own the comms operating model, including resourcing, supplier management, budget oversight, and continuous improvement.
Technical Skills & Competencies:
- Substantial UK government experience in a similar role within a complex programme/project environment of significant scale with multiple stakeholders and suppliers.
- Dynamic, visible leadership with proven ability to influence in a multi-disciplinary environment; line management experience (expected at G6).
- Proven track record of delivering at pace, meeting quality standards and deadlines across concurrent initiatives.
- Confidence to challenge and influence senior leaders, using evidence and insight to drive decisions.
- Problem ownership: identifies risks and gaps early, designs pragmatic solutions, and delivers positive outcomes.
- Role-models communications best practice and coaches others to enhance capability.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with strong attention to detail and the ability to craft clear, concise, audience-appropriate content.
- Hands-on experience of communications planning, audience insight, editorial processes, measurement/evaluation, and flexing methods (e.g., Agile/hybrid environments) to delivery priorities.
Locations
Communications Lead in Hampshire, Portsmouth employer: Whitehall Resources
Contact Detail:
Whitehall Resources Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Lead in Hampshire, Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work in communications roles. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work in communications. Include examples of strategies you've implemented, campaigns you've led, and any measurable outcomes. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s communication style and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs. Practice common interview questions, but also be ready to discuss how you would tackle specific challenges they face.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be perfect for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, get your application in and let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Communications Lead in Hampshire, Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience that aligns with the Communications Lead role. Use keywords from the job description to show we’re on the same page!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, don’t forget to share examples of how you’ve successfully managed teams or projects in the past. We want to see your dynamic leadership style in action!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your content is easy to read and free of jargon. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whitehall Resources
✨Know Your Comms Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the communications strategy of the organisation. Be ready to discuss how you would translate that into a deliverable roadmap, highlighting your experience in setting clear objectives and measuring outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your dynamic leadership style. Talk about how you've influenced teams in a multi-disciplinary environment and how you’ve successfully managed communications functions in previous roles.
✨Be Evidence-Based
Since the role requires evidence-based decision-making, come prepared with data or case studies that showcase your ability to use audience insights to shape communication strategies. This will show that you can back up your ideas with solid evidence.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions where you might need to outline how you would handle specific challenges in communications. Think about potential reputational risks or stakeholder engagement issues and how you would address them effectively.