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Head of Strategic Communications

Employer
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA)
Location
16 Summer Lane, Birmingham
Salary
£80,000 per annum
Closing date
15 Feb 2021
Reference
WMCA00248

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Job Details

In these extraordinary times the need for strong regional leadership has never been more important. At the West Midlands Combined Authority we’re building the future with a shared vision of a happier, healthier, better connected and more prosperous region - a fast-growing global force with huge potential and ambition.

Great communications is key to the delivery of our vision and we’re looking for an exceptional communicator to lead our team and act as principal advisor to the Mayor, Chief Executive and senior leadership team.

As Head of Communications you’ll provide strategic leadership for the development and delivery of our corporate communications strategy across the organisation, building on our success, developing effective working relationships and partnerships with senior politicians in central and local government, key stakeholders in the private sector and our residents.

You’ll have a place at the top table as a member of the organisation’s Strategic Leadership Team, reporting directly to Chief Executive Deborah Cadman and working closely with the West Midlands Mayor – so you’ll be able to influence and lead communications at the highest level.

We’re looking for an experienced, passionate and confident communicator with a strong understanding of the current political and social environment across the region. 

You’ll need experience of leading communications teams working across all disciplines, including media and public relations, marketing and campaigns and digital and social media, alongside a deep insight into the challenges of managing communications in a high profile and visible environment. 

This is a key leadership role, where you’ll be able to build on your breadth of experience and your proven strategic and leadership background. In a year where we’ll continue to live with uncertainty and change the challenges of leading communications have never been greater – and this role will provide you with a unique opportunity to deliver real impact across the region.

We are committed to equality of opportunity in service provision and employment.  Our recruitment policies, procedures and practices enable all applicants to be considered on merit and ability to do the job. We will make reasonable adjustments, in line with the Equality Act, for disabled applicants if these are needed.

About the team

The communications team works across the organisation delivering media relations, public relations, events, marketing, campaigns and digital communications. Partnership working is key for us – with communications specialists in all areas of the organisation, senior communications colleagues in our seven Metropolitan councils and the private sector.

Who we are – the West Midlands Combined Authority

Everything we do is focused on making life better for people in the West Midlands – that’s our reason for being here and it drives every move we make. We lead and support others to deliver our shared future vision for the region – a happier, healthier, better connected place to live and work.

We work with our council partners to keep the region on the move, regenerate places with new homes and businesses and skill up our people so they can do the jobs we’ll need to succeed in the future.  We use our role to speak up for and lead our region and bring people together to deliver across the towns and cities that make the West Midlands great.

We’re ambitious, forward thinking and determined to find better ways of working, trusting and supporting each other to get the job done.

Our region needs and deserves our powerful voice - we understand what’s needed here and how to change lives for the better. Our work is already bringing big benefits in the way we keep people moving on our roads, rail and tram systems, the work we’re doing to build homes on derelict sites to protect our precious green spaces, our innovative work on future transport systems and 5G and our plans to tackle the climate change emergency.

Everyone who works here plays their part in this success story and we’re all determined to use our unique role to deliver lasting change across our region.

In return for your hard work and commitment, we will reward you with a range of competitive and attractive benefits.

How to apply

Please provide detailed information in your application outlining your suitability for the post and ensure it is submitted by the closing date.

Closing Date: 3rd February 2021

Interview/Assessment Date:  16th February 2021 (1st Stage), w/c 22nd February 2021 (2nd stage)

This interview will have two stages- those who are successful at this stage will be called for a second interview.

This is a remote working opportunity until a date is agreed for the WMCA workforce to return to our usual place of work at 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham.

Our priority is to keep all our employees safe and well during this time. We will be working remotely for the foreseeable future, and we are doing everything we can to ensure all our employees can enjoy a comfortable remote working space.

We are committed to developing an organisation that is representative of the diverse communities that we serve and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

The following groups are currently underrepresented: young people, Black, Asian and ethnic minority groups and women at senior levels.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and offer a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who meet the essential job role criteria. We will make reasonable adjustments, in line with the Equality Act, for disabled applicants if these are needed. Wherever possible we will offer flexible working options which assist work-life balance and support service delivery for the customer.

 

Supporting documents
Head of Strategic Communications- Role Profile.pdf
WMCA's Benefits Calculator.pdf

Company

From Monday 11th December 2023 an exciting change happened for us as an organisation - we have implemented a new system which will improve your candidate experience! To access your candidate portal for our new system, head to https://wmca.wm-jobs.co.uk/members/

If you already had an application in progress with us before the new year, don’t worry, this will continue as it normally would and there will be no impact on your application or the process. More information on our new and improved system can be found on the WMJobs help pages

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) was set up in 2016. We're made up of 18 local councils and 3 local enterprise partnerships (LEPs). Our goal is to make the West Midlands a happy, healthy, place to live. We do this by:

  • making it easier and safer to travel in and around the region
  • using derelict land to build homes
  • protecting our green spaces
  • making sure young people have the education and employment opportunities to make a great start in life
  • working together to support our communities and build a fairer, healthier and more inclusive West Midlands
  • tackling climate change 

Our role in the West Midlands has never been more important and in these extraordinary times we’ve shown we can step forward, speak up for our region and bring people together. Everything we do is focused on making life better for people in the West Midlands – that’s our reason for being here and it drives every move we make. We lead and support others to deliver our shared future vision for the region – a happier, healthier, better connected place to live and work.

We fully believe that we are only as great as the people who work for us and are committed to providing a positive, healthy and inclusive working environment where our people feel valued and respected. We’re ambitious, forward thinking and determined to find better ways of working, always leading the way in what we do. We trust and support each other to get the job done, and encourage creativity, originality and curiosity from those who work with us.

We’re committed to creating an accessible and diverse workplace, one that nurtures an inclusive environment where our people can be themselves. We are a “Leaders in Diversity” accredited organisation, are in the Inclusive Top 50 Employers List and are one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. 

If your values align with ours and you’re committed to working towards creating a future we can all be proud of, we want to hear from you.

Company info
Website
Telephone
0121 200 2787
Location
16 Summer Lane
Birmingham
West Midlands
B19 3SD
United Kingdom

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