Senior Communications Officer
INTERNAL/EXTERNAL VACANCY
We are looking for a first-rate Senior Communications Officer with significant experience of delivering impactful communications activity and excellent people skills to join our Community and Employee Engagement team within the Corporate Communications department.
Rarely a day goes by without policing being in the news. Issues regarding crime and safety are of significant interest to the public and media alike and elicit strong opinions and emotions.
The role of a police communicator is therefore challenging yet rewarding, ensuring that we effectively listen, engage and respond to the needs of the communities we serve, to build trust and confidence in our ability to keep them safe.
Thames Valley Police is the largest non-metropolitan police force in England and Wales. We police the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, serving a diverse population of more than two million, plus the six million visitors who come to Thames Valley each year.
The job of our Community and Employee Engagement team is to create and deliver impactful communications activity to support force priority issues and objectives internally and externally. Whether it is raising awareness of hidden abuse in our communities, supporting the implementation of new systems which will change the way that officers do their job, or empowering our communities to work alongside the police to resolve local issues, our work is designed to protect people whilst helping the force to operate effectively.
About the role
As Senior Communications Officer you will play a pivotal role in coordinating the day to day external and internal communications activity for the Community and Employee Engagement team. You will work alongside the communications manager to ensure that effective plans are in place to respond to organisational priorities and opportunities to build community confidence in our service to the public are capitalised upon. You will also provide first-line support, advice and guidance regarding communications strategy and tactics and prioritisation of workload to junior members of the team. In addition to supporting others, you will work across disciplines and devise, manage and deliver audience-led communications activity and will act as a senior advisor on all aspects of internal and external communications to colleagues as well as officers, staff and partners.
About you
As deputy to the Communications Manager, you will have significant experience and knowledge of internal and external communications strategies and tactics to be in a position to support and advise the wider team, department and force. You will have a strong interest in and an ability to identify ways to further the communications function of the force and find innovative ways of connecting with our audiences. A strong people person and team player, you will provide support, empathy and encouragement where required as well as have the confidence to hold people to account for deadlines. You are a strong project manager and excellent planner with the ability to multi-task under pressure. Being the eyes and ears within the team, you will also have an innate sense of risk and understanding of escalation.
The role is based at our force headquarters in Kidlington however you will be required occasionally to travel and work across the Thames Valley area, therefore a full driving licence is considered essential.
If you have any queries please contact People Services Recruitment Department on 0845 2 66 66 77 (internal 301 6500) quoting reference 14423.
The closing date for enquiries and receipt of completed applications is Sunday 10th June 2018.
At Thames Valley Police (TVP) we work together to protect our communities. Whether as an officer, staff member or volunteer, you will make a difference and play an important role in helping achieve our mission. As you take on a role with pride and confidence, you will be supported, developed and valued, ensuring you can be at your best in the service of our communities. Learn more About Us.
Working Smart. You will be joining an organisation that strives to improve every day. In the post-pandemic era this means changing the way we work and deliver our services, which brings a number of benefits including a more flexible and capable workforce.
Supporting You. Your wellbeing and safety is at the heart of all we do. Whilst you are doing the work that matters, we’ll be supporting you via a wide range of Wellbeing services, partnerships and initiatives. We have a number of active staff support networks and buddy schemes which you will have access to and can be involved with. We also offer a comprehensive range of benefits and discount schemes, some provided directly by the organisation and others via partnerships including Blue Light card. Learn more about how we will be Supporting You.
Developing You. We promote a culture where your continuous professional development and learning is actively encouraged and where people have the opportunity, and responsibility, to achieve their full potential.
Valuing Difference. We are committed to building a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve and an inclusive culture that not only values, but finds strength in difference. Learn more about how we are Valuing Difference.
Vetting. All posts require a level of Police Vetting as per the National Vetting Code of Practice. The residency requirement is necessary to enable all applicants to be checked in an equitable manner. Thames Valley Police will allow applicants to apply who do not necessarily reach the criteria as long as they have proven UK residency and supporting evidence where necessary. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
This opportunity is closed to applications.