Head of Communication

Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, York

Job Summary
Thank you for considering the role of
Head of Communication & Engagement
(G6) for the UK Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) for Packaging Scheme Administrator ("PackUK"). You will be part of a leadership team at the heart of one of the most important and powerful environmental reforms of our time, shaping and leading an organisation that will make a direct contribution to the achievement of net zero by 2050 while boosting the economy.

The new pEPR UK scheme launched in 2025, and the Head of Communication and Engagement will be responsible for leading a team of talented individuals who are passionate about recycling and the environment. Together you will work on transforming our current linear economic model of 'take, make, use, throw' into a circular economy. In a circular economy, resources will be retained and used for as long as possible, maximising gained value; capitalising on resource efficiency; minimising waste and the impact that inefficient resource use has on our environment and society.

We are looking to recruit a talented person to be part of our leadership team who is able to build and develop a high performing, collaborative and integrated team. The applicant must be a strong leader; be seen as a role model who inspires others across the function; has a proven track record of senior leadership and proven ability to build strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders. They must command credibility at all levels, deliver high quality products and be able to operate as a catalyst for change across the wider packaging reform scheme.

Fundamental to the role is the emphasis we place on the applicants' personal qualities, which is viewed as significant to the role as that of your professional background. Having the ability to drive a positive, inclusive and authentic organisational culture is critical. You will need to take people – both within the organisation and across the wider network of stakeholders, with you by being fully committed to inspiring and empowering people at all levels. You will need to be culturally competent, having the ability to build relationships with all people regardless of their background; have excellent networking and collaboration skills to ensure operational excellence and business delivery is always achieved in this newly formed scheme, which will be part of a complex and unpredictable environment.

Job Description
Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, the Head of Comms and Engagement will work with partners across the recycling and packaging sectors and with regulators and administrations across the four nations of the UK to set and deliver the strategic priorities of the Scheme Administrator.

This role will be responsible for the development and implementation of PackUK's campaign strategy including external communications and engagement. This work is imperative in ensuring acceptance, leveraging industry expertise and driving readiness for organisations across the collection & packaging value chain. In addition, this work will seek to drive the necessary behavioural and cultural changes needed to deliver pEPR's objectives.

*Key Responsibilities*

• Provide strategic leadership and accountability in driving scheme values and goals and aligning with net zero objectives.
• Develop and embed the strategic priorities of the Scheme Administrator to support the delivery of pEPR objectives and functions provided from the organisation in its underpinning legislation
• Establish relationships, buy-in and effective involvement with key stakeholders across the recycling and packaging sectors, across the administrations of the four nations of the UK and their regulators.
• Promote and confirm that organisations across the recycling and packaging sectors hold a full understanding of what pEPR means for them and work with them to inspire readiness for these reforms.
• Work closely with the representatives that are developing sector-led organisations who will advise and potentially undertake operational responsibility of several PackUK functions. To Note: this could include a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO).
• Establish a clear and effective programme of communications and campaign activities that will revolutionise the cultural and behavioural changes required to meet pEPR objectives.
• Lead the Communications & Behaviour Change Technical Advisory Group to maximise productive input from industry experts, and actively support other Advisory Groups and other Governance forums.
• Collaborate with the policy teams across the 4 nations to guarantee all future pEPR policy decisions are aligned to the goals and ambitions of PackUK.

Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, the Head of Comms and Engagement will work with partners across the recycling and packaging sectors and with regulators and administrations across the four nations of the UK to set and deliver the strategic priorities of the Scheme Administrator.

This role will be responsible for the development and implementation of PackUK's campaign strategy including external communications and engagement. This work is imperative in ensuring acceptance, leveraging industry expertise and driving readiness for organisations across the collection & packaging value chain. In addition, this work will seek to drive the necessary behavioural and cultural changes needed to deliver pEPR's objectives.

*Key Responsibilities*

• Provide strategic leadership and accountability in driving scheme values and goals and aligning with net zero objectives.
• Develop and embed the strategic priorities of the Scheme Administrator to support the delivery of pEPR objectives and functions provided from the organisation in its underpinning legislation
• Establish relationships, buy-in and effective involvement with key stakeholders across the recycling and packaging sectors, across the administrations of the four nations of the UK and their regulators.
• Promote and confirm that organisations across the recycling and packaging sectors hold a full understanding of what pEPR means for them and work with them to inspire readiness for these reforms.
• Work closely with the representatives that are developing sector-led organisations who will advise and potentially undertake operational responsibility of several PackUK functions. To Note: this could include a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO).
• Establish a clear and effective programme of communications and campaign activities that will revolutionise the cultural and behavioural changes required to meet pEPR objectives.
• Lead the Communications & Behaviour Change Technical Advisory Group to maximise productive input from industry experts, and actively support other Advisory Groups and other Governance forums.
• Collaborate with the policy teams across the 4 nations to guarantee all future pEPR policy decisions are aligned to the goals and ambitions of PackUK.

Person specification

The successful applicant must have the confidence to forefront the Scheme Administrator stakeholder engagement, communicating with clarity and confidence the pEPR requirements. They must also be able to generate and support industry readiness and engagement of the scheme.

Experience in applying the appropriate communication skills to the right forum is a necessity. Equally experience in engaging with technical experts as well as wider stakeholders such as the packaging industry, waste management companies, local authorities, environmental Non-Government Organisations or academia is a further requirement.

We are ideally looking for candidates with considerable experience in the waste sector, for instance knowledge and experience gained through involvement with industry, consulting, or regulatory setting. We are however also encouraging candidates with experience in the wider environmental sustainability field to apply for these roles.

*Essential Criteria*

• Experience of strategic leadership to achieve system reform objectives, or other transferrable experience, with clear willingness to take responsibility and be a practical, hands-on problem solver.
• Experience working in or with the recycling, packaging and producer sectors.
• Experience of working and collaborating with senior leaders and executives and supporting them with effective decision making.
• Experience establishing and leading a team of people, including strong inter-personal, performance management and the development of skills.
• Ability to balance competing demands and tight timescales, remaining calm under pressure whilst maintaining immaculate attention to detail.
• A highly effective communicator with the ability to present complex issues to a diverse set of audiences, such as stakeholders, experts and Ministers whist understanding sensitivities and adjusting dialogue as a result.
• Experience in the development and delivery of effective communications, campaigns and behaviour change activities. Strong written skills, including the ability to distil complete information into concise, readable summaries.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Alongside your salary of £67,630, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £19,592 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• A CV detailing your career history, including any relevant qualifications and experience (this will be used for information only and will not be scored)
• A Personal Statement (max. 750 words) demonstrating how you meet the requirements of the job description, responsibilities, and essential criteria.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Using the STAR process will help achieve a structured document. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift
The sift panel will use the information in your Personal Statement and CV to assess your experience and knowledge.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift and Interview dates are to be confirmed.

Interview Process Details
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to a video interview. This vacancy is using Civil Service Success Profiles and we will assess your experience, Behaviours and Strengths at interview.

During the interview candidates will be asked to deliver a presentation (topic and duration tbc)

You will also be asked questions based on the following Civil Service Behaviours;

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

And in addition, two Strength based questions.

Interviews to be held via video link. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Further Information
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate, and based on your own personal experience. Submitting content that has been generated by AI or copied from others and presented as your own may be considered plagiarism. Applications found to contain such content may be withdrawn, and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please refer to our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Location
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

Where the location is 'National' the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra's location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Childcare Vouchers
Any move to DEFRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the 'Assistance required' section in the 'Additional requirements' page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email

Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Higher Security Clearance
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact :

• Name : CE People Team
• Email :

Recruitment team

• Email :

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email:

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here