Head of Strategic Communications, Engagement & Content

Head of Strategic Communications Engagement and Content

Police communications and engagement are at a pivotal crossroads.

Never before has there been such an insatiable desire for instantaneous information in highly visual and thumb stopping formats. The hyper-speed at which information can spread including false information means that West Midlands Police needs to do more say more and react ever faster to ensure trust confidence satisfaction and ultimately legitimacy in policing is maintained and strengthened.

Effective and efficient policing is delivered from the foundations of excellent outcome-focused communications and engagement both internally with our workforce and externally with members of the public our partners and key stakeholders and is a golden thread to the success of both operational and organisational service delivery.

This is why we need highly skilled and trusted communication experts within our Corporate Communications Department. This key role of Head of Strategic Communications Engagement and Content is responsible for ensuring the effective delivering of creative innovative insight-led communications that build trust satisfaction and confidence among communities partners and our workforce.

This is a rare and exciting strategic communications opportunity within one of the UKs largest and leading police forces. We are therefore looking for a pioneering expert someone who can bring fresh perspective strategic direction and leadership to our complex and fast-paced operating environment.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Acting as a trusted expert within the Corporate Communications Department the postholder will lead the development of accessible inclusive communications that positively influence behaviours and align with force objectives.
• This position provides strategic leadership for all internal external and stakeholder engagement channels overseeing thematic portfolios corporate change programmes and community engagement initiatives.
• The postholder will manage teams of professionals to deliver proactive and reactive communications strengthen stakeholder relationships and drive long-term strategies that enhance public confidence.
• They will be responsible for the development of strategic organisational communications and align activity to supporting its priorities and improving trust and confidence in the force and be one of the forces senior subject matter experts on internal and external communications and engagement.
• It will be responsible of the postholder for providing strategic advice and guidance to members of the Executive Team and senior leaders across the force on the full range of communication issues and national/policing sector developments including the interpretation of policy legislation regulation and national codes of practice. The individual will deliver this while leading on all communications internal change marketing engagement and digital engagement strategies and plans in support of internal and external proactive initiatives across the force.
• They will have responsibility for the design implementation and monitoring of strategic plans force corporate identity major incidents crisis management and investigations development and implementation of communication standards and channels budget and resource management for WMP ensuring business continuity.
  

A full detailed list of role responsibilities and competencies required for this post are detailed within the role profile

Contact: For further information regarding this role please contact Kate Quilley Service Director Corporate Communications

Hours of Work and Flexibility:-

The role if full time. Working outside of standard office hours may be required. There is a requirement to work flexibly at all times with due regard to prevailing workloads and priorities. Attendance at evening and other out-of-hour meetings as required.

Vetting:

Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Security Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role this will include a full background and financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical:

Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks which may include a drugs test.

Interviews: will take place on WC 23rd March and 30th March 2026

Benefit Statement:

• By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:
• Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.
• Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.
• Discounts across travel parking daily costs of living and leisure activities.
• A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support free eye tests and flu jabs
• Comprehensive benefits including pension Blue Light Card and employee assistance programme.
  

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a Disability Confident Interview Scheme - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume seasonal and high-peak times the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled these circumstances the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities