Head of Strategic and Internal Communications

**General Information**:

- Salary
- The national salary is £56,532 - £64,048, London salary range is £61,201 - £69,338. Your salary will be dependent on your base location.
- Working Pattern
- Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
- Vacancy Approach
- External
- Location
- Belfast, London
- Region
- London, Northern Ireland
- Closing Date
- 11-Jun-2025
- Post Type
- Fixed Term, Loan
- Civil Service Grade
- Grade 7
- Number of jobs available
- 1
- Reserve List
- 12 Months
- Job ID
- 6332

**Descriptions & requirements**:

- Job description

As Head of Strategic and Internal Communications, you will be expected to hit the ground running, quickly making a significant contribution as a senior leader to the smooth running of the Communications Directorate and in developing and implementing our organisation's strategic communication vision.

You will thrive in a fast-paced environment and be comfortable juggling priorities, working with senior stakeholders and leading your team to turn complex information into clear, engaging communications outputs for internal and external audiences.

You will champion innovation and efficiency in our strategic communications approaches for key announcements, events and departmental priorities, while developing your team's capabilities and maintaining the highest professional standards.

In addition, you will be responsible for shaping how we engage with our people and ensuring that our internal communications strategies align with our organisational objectives and that you deliver impactful communications.

**We’re looking for someone who**:

- Strategic vision and leadership: Ability to set a compelling communications vision that supports organisational objectives and inspires your team to deliver exceptional results, with proven experience in leading high-performing communications teams.
- Exceptional stakeholder management: Demonstrable capability to build strong relationships at all levels, particularly with senior leadership, and to effectively influence and advise on internal and strategic communications matters.
- Internal communications expertise: Track record of successfully communicating complex internal communications including change initiatives to internal audiences, with a deep understanding of how to drive engagement.
- Commitment to professional development: Dedication to continuous learning and development both for yourself and your team, with experience in identifying and nurturing talent.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

- Developing strategic communications approaches and communications handling plans for key UK Government and departmental priorities, announcements and events and oversight of team in delivery
- Oversight of the development and delivery of an annual programme of internal communications including a weekly content plan, departmental engagement sessions and L&D events
- Weekly participation in Head of Internal Communications DD network;
- Oversight of the collection and analysis of data insights associated with existing communications strategies
- Deputising for the Deputy Director, Communications at key engagements within the Northern Ireland Office as well as in cross Government forums
- Assisting the Deputy Director in the oversight of key corporate functions within the team e.g. budgets, resourcing, learning and development
- Contributing to cross-departmental initiatives and programmes as well as leading on delivery of a number of special projects internally

**ESSENTIAL CRITERIA**:

- Proven experience working as a senior leader within a large organisation with responsibility for developing and delivering strategic communications plans and internal communications strategies
- Demonstrable track record of leading high-performing communications teams at a senior level
- Experience translating complex organisational priorities / objectives into clear, compelling narratives for both internal and external audiences
- Experience of successfully advising senior leaders on sensitive communications matters, showing your capacity to build trust and credibility
- Experience briefing Ministers or senior leaders within large organisations on complex communications strategies
- Proven ability in implementing internal communications strategies, including significant organisational change programmes, with measurable improvements in staff engagement
- Examples of successfully managing complex external and internal communications in high pressure environments, showing your ability to provide clear leadership
- Experience building strong relationships with senior stakeholders and providing trusted communications counsel and managing complex stakeholder relationships
- Evidence of managing high-performing, diverse communications teams across multiple locations

**DESIRABLE CRITERIA**:

- A strong understanding of the political and cultural landscape of Northern Irel