Internal Communications Manager

Internal Communications Manager

Permanent

Full Time

The closing date for this post is 12 noon on Friday 23rd April 2021

A dynamic, creative and solid Internal Communications Manager is required for a permanent role paying a starting salary of £35,484 at West Mercia Police based in Hindlip, Worcestershire.

The world of police communications is fast-paced, operationally demanding, varied and never predictable. West Mercia is a challenging and dynamic force covering an area of 3,000 square miles, with a population of 1.9 million people within both rural and urban communities, and a workforce of approximately 4,000 officers and staff.

As a Communications Team, we have to reach a variety of different audiences, both externally within our communities and partner agencies, and internally within our workforce and volunteers. We strive to be innovative, professional, authentic and credible within our communications activities, taking an audience led and outcome focussed approach.

We are in an exciting period of change and transition as the Force establishes itself as a stand-alone organisation, following a previous alliance with a neighbouring force, so there is a wealth of opportunity to influence and shape internal communications for the future. We are also about to embark on a period of digital change with new technology being implemented within force.

As Internal Communications Manager you would be responsible for leading and implementing an Internal Communications Strategy, supporting the overarching Organisational Communications Strategy, that would ensure our staff and officers are kept up-to-date with news, legislation changes, best practice, organisational learning and to improve excellent employee engagement across the Force.

You would play an important role in assisting with transforming the way West Mercia Police communicates and engages with the workforce across the three counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. You would be responsible for overseeing and driving internal portfolios and projects including organisational transformation and change, operations, professional standards and learning and wellbeing and welfare.

You would be responsible for managing Communications Officers, working closely with the Head of Department, key stakeholders including Chief Officers and partners. You would also be involved in coaching and training staff to improve our overarching communications and engagement.

You would also be required to:

• To assist with and drive the strategic transformation of internal communications across several work streams with West Mercia Police,
• Manage and drive a portfolio of internal communications plans and portfolios and planning functionality,
• Input into the department’s Performance Framework and lead evaluation of all corporate level communications activities to demonstrate input versus outcome,
• You would ensure effective planning and delivery of campaigns and regular content to meet communications objectives in-line with the Force vision and values,
• You would help develop existing internal channels, and identify and on-board new channels to help with employee engagement,
• Advise, influence and often challenge senior leaders and stakeholders on communications activities, engagement and communications approach to build dialogue and traction with the workforce,
• Help develop and lead a team of communications professionals and support the Head of Department and other colleagues within the Management Team,
• Identify, facilitate and create opportunities, training and development plans, and internal events,
• Help to drive internal communications needs and to liaise with partners, chief officers and stakeholders during major and critical incidents, ensuring our workforce are kept up-to-date and informed throughout,
• Develop new materials, internal collateral and dynamic digital content,
• There would also potentially be the opportunity to be part of the On-Call Management Cadre, providing both internal communications and external media advice and support to communications staff, officers and senior leaders. Training would be supplied.

The successful candidate will be required to evidence the following skills:

• Extensive experience within dedicated internal communications role(s) within a large and complex organisation
• Demonstrable experience leading the planning, development, delivery and measurement of internal communications that support cultural and organisational change
• Successful delivery of communications activities around new technology, and evidence of significant experience of developing and introducing new channels and technology including intranet solutions, Teams, and a two-way messaging system
• Proven experience in both coaching more junior colleagues or peers, and managing and influencing senior leaders and stakeholders
• Experience of or example of leadership skills, supervisory or mentoring ability, project or portfolio management and leadership
• Excellent writing, editorial and creative skills including creating a variety of both written and graphical content in both hard-copy and digital formats
• Creating and leading project plans and strategies
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills
• Experience of media handling
• Experience of internal crisis/major incident communications
• Solid and demonstrable experience of partnership working
• Basic graphic design, PowerPoint and presentation skills would be advantageous

Highly desirable skills would include:

• Experience of on-call/out-of-hours working
• External communications experience, media handling and media law
• Experience within the police or another emergency service, government, Civil Service, local authority or statutory body
• Line-management experience
• Experience or understanding of Local Resilience Forum and Civil Contingencies Act
• At least 5 – 7 years industry experience and relevant degree or qualification
• Video editing skills and knowledge of Premier Pro or similar would be helpful

About you…you will be a proactive and dynamic individual, committed to public service and providing excellent communications for your colleagues. You should take a proactive approach to problem-solving, be able to work at a fast-pace, be flexible, provide value-for-money, be creative and innovative and able to cope with dynamic and evolving situations. A good sense of humour, personal resilience and a strong-work ethic would fit in well with our team. You should also have an excellent eye for detail, be able to spot risk and opportunity and take pride in your work.

If you are interested in applying for this Internal Communications Manager post, please click on the link.

• In return, you will receive a starting salary of £35,484 with additional on-call allowance.
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays and flexi leave
• Local Government Pension
• Training in media law, policing and other required skills and knowledge
• Membership of a professional body with access to training, national resources and the annual academy
• A commitment to your CPD and professional development
• Access to wellbeing and support functions
• National Bluelight discounts
• Free parking at HQ

We embrace diversity and welcome applications from everyone.

If you require any support to complete your application or you have any questions please contact the recruitment team on 01905 718444 (press option 1 then 5) or email recruitment@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

To read more about the added benefits and rewards of working for West Mercia Police, please go to our website.

Internal applicants who are in need of redeployment will be offered positions ahead of other candidates, subject to them passing a selection process.

We support the “Happy to talk flexible working” campaign, which aims to encourage uptake of flexible working for individuals, the flexible working options that may be considered for this role include; Compressed Hours, Fixed Shifts, Remote Working, Variable Shifts.