Head of Corporate Communication

As the Head of Corporate Communications you will advise the Chief Fire Officer and Service Leadership Board on internal and external communications across Avon Fire & Rescue Service. You will lead the creation of marketing plans, campaigns, and educational materials that support the organisational vision, engage audiences, and enhance community safety. You will oversee press and corporate communication strategies to shape AF&RS's public profile locally, regionally, and nationally.

You will lead the Corporate Communication Team in utilising media, PR, marketing, and communication to meet objectives and as the primary media contact at events, strengthening AF&RS's brand and stakeholder relationships. You will also manage contracts and a £110,000 budget, ensuring cost efficiency in line with Financial Regulations.

• Use knowledge, research, evaluation and analysis of the operating environment to identify marketing and communication priorities and risk-critical issues.
• Provide strategic and tactical communication and marketing advice to the Service Leadership Board (SLB), Service Leadership Team (SLT) and AF&RS staff and leaders at all levels across the Service.
• Lead, develop and work collaboratively with local communities, multi-agency partners and key stakeholders to identify and deliver innovative ways of engaging with diverse audiences.
• Lead and manage tactical media handling and public affairs, including the provision of 24/7 media cover. As part of the on-call rota you may be required to provide a presence at incidents or give telephone/online advice.
• Assess, evaluate, plan and manage internal and external communications in response to current and emerging political, social, economic, technological, environmental and legal issues facing AF&RS and fire and rescue services nationally.
• Build, lead, manage, motivate and develop an effective and professionally credible Corporate Communication Team.
• Develop, manage, and lead appropriate media, social media and communications training for the SLB, SLT and officers across the Service.
• Conduct independent investigations, gather witness statements, information and data in order to produce exemplary reports.
• Develop, maintain and evaluate business continuity plans and arrangements within the Corporate Communication Team, to ensure professional services to the organisation and wider community are maintained, ensuring the risk to public safety is reduced.
• Develop, lead and deliver strategic initiatives and communications that have a positive impact on the culture of the Service, ensuring all team members uphold and promote the Core Code of Ethics.
• Conduct independent investigations, gather witness statements, information and data in order to produce exemplary reports.
• Carry out any additional responsibilities as reasonable and appropriate, as agreed with line manager.

• Degree (or recognised professional qualification) in a relevant subject such as communication, media, PR or marketing.
• Membership of a relevant professional body, such as CIPR or PRCA.
• Extensive and in-depth knowledge of a broad range of internal and external communication and engagement techniques, and methods for measuring their effectiveness.
• A demonstrable understanding and awareness of diverse cultural issues, demographics and individual needs.
• An understanding of how the public sector works, the political nature of the organisation and how these relate to communications.
• Good knowledge of the use of quantitative and qualitative evaluation measures.
• Significant experience of developing and implementing internal, external and digital communications strategies, and delivering successful marketing campaigns.
• Successful people management experience, with experience of effective development and performance management.
• Evidence of handling high profile and sensitive organisational issues and reducing reputational risk.
• Extensive experience in a news-related role at a senior level in a complex and changing environment.
• Evidence of building relationships and credibility at senior board level, to provide strategic communications and reputation advice based on professional expertise.
• Experience in executing strategic initiatives that have a positive impact on the culture of the organisation.
• Experience of crisis management and of the provision of crisis communications expertise during a major incident.
• Experience of budget management (including the sourcing, monitoring and managing of external contracts) and stakeholder relations.
• Experience of proof-reading.
• Experience of evaluating communications activity and presenting findings to others within the organisation.
• Able to drive, lead, influence, change and implement strategic initiatives.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, confidently and credibly with a wide range of stakeholders and audiences.
• Excellent political and social awareness, demonstrated through sound judgement and the ability to drive communications approaches to meet organisational priorities.
• Tact and diplomacy when handling sensitive issues, with experience of dealing with confidential and sensitive information.
• A demonstrable ability to think creatively and to be able to work collaboratively within a team and with other individuals/departments across an organisation.
• Excellent news judgement.
• Excellent IT skills including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, along with a digital understanding.
• Able to drive with a current driving license, or ability to arrange suitable alternative transport to travel to various work locations
• A recognised leadership qualification such as ILM, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of media law, copyright law, defamation, Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act.
• Experience of strategic and tactical communication and engagement in relation to industrial action.
• Experience of using Adobe Creative Suite.
• Effective interviewing skills.

• 27 days annual holiday (plus public holidays) rising to 31 days after 5 years, and 32 days after 10 years of service
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Use of the multi-gym, sports hall, restaurant, free parking and beautiful open surroundings at our Headquarters in Portishead.

Once you have read the job description, please complete the application form telling us how your skills, qualifications and experience match those required for this role, please provide examples wherever you can. The information you give will assist us in our shortlisting process.

If you experience any issues with the application or require a paper version please contact recruitment@avonfire.gov.uk . Late applications will not be accepted. Please quote job reference number 1601 on any communications. Thank you.

With effect from July 2023 legislation was amended to enable all Fire & Rescue Services to undertake standard DBS checks for all employees. All job roles require a standard DBS check, with certain defined roles requiring an enhanced check. These will be renewed throughout employment.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service is committed to securing equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all members of our community who are currently under-represented at Avon Fire & Rescue Service, particularly women, Disabled people and members of ethnic minority communities.