Head of External Communications (PR / Media)

Job Description

Head of External Communications (PR / Media)Chippenham or West Bromwich (Home Based with occasional travel to offices)£60,000 (+ 10% Car Allowance) per annum - depending on skills and experience Contract type: Permanent Working hours: Full TimeIn April 2021, our client merged to create a bigger, better, organisation. They now provide over 25,000 homes to more than 54,000 people, they deliver over 3 million hours of care to individuals every year and have a geographical reach from Newcastle uponTyne to Salisbury, Wiltshire. They have a staff team of approx. 4,000 people.Their story is about building better lives. They are committed to building more homes and providing more care and support to more people, whilst still delivering the locally-focused services to the people who need them most.Everything they do comes back to people - whether thats providing a good quality, safe home, helping someone to live an independent life, addressing social injustice and equality and everything else in between.Their vision is to be an organisation where people can enjoy happiness, health and prosperity.About the roleOur client is now recruiting for a Head of Internal Communications to join them on a full time permanent basis.Operating across a large geographical area and providing a diverse range of services from social landlord to private housebuilder to care and support, it is critical that their reputation is solid and protected from crises.This role will work closely with the Chief Executive and Executive team, leading a small team in developing and delivering the Groups approach to reputation management and stakeholder relations.As well as dealing with the media, you will ensure positive relationships with political stakeholders, from local authorities to parliamentarians, are nurtured and maintained.Your expertise will ensure the Group has a clear and consistent narrative for the media and a wide range of stakeholders and embed readiness for reputational crises.You will collaborate with colleagues to develop a clear process of stakeholder mapping and to ensure consistent corporate positions are received and understood by colleagues in order that messages to stakeholders are clear and in line with the wider corporatestrategy.Please note that if you are successful in this role, we will require a DBS check to be completed. Further details will be sent following offer.About youYou will be highly adept at dealing with the media and politicians and able to drive (and measure) successful stakeholder management strategies and be able to respond to media/stakeholder enquiries in a timely fashion.Previous experience establishing and managing crisis-management plans in order to mitigate reputational risk is essential for this role.You will be experienced in writing engaging and accurate copy for dissemination to the media, politicians and other key stakeholders.Previously experience in procuring and managing 3rd-party suppliers is also essential.BenefitsIn support and recognition of their colleagues who will help them deliver their employer strategy, they offer a fantastic benefits package. This includes; annual holiday entitlement (plus statutory bank holidays); a defined contribution pension scheme; trustbased flexible working and a Confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).All individuals who apply to work here are considered on their merits in line with their Diversity and Inclusion strategy and policy.Our client is a Disability Confident Employer therefore they actively encourage applications from individuals with disabilities and try to provide access, adjustments, equipment or other practical support where required. All applicants with a disabilitywho meet the essential eligibility criteria for the role, as detailed in the job description, are guaranteed an interview.If you need any assistance, adjustments or adaptations throughout our selection processes please let them know.