Salary £61,398 rising to £68,240 per annum (pay award pending)
Contractual hours37
Basis Full time
Region Central
Package37 Hours Per Week, Hybrid Working, Flexitime Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme, Holiday allowance of 25 days plus public holidays) on joining
Job category/type Support
Date posted12/10/2023
Job referenceREQ000246
Job description
12 MONTHS FIXED TERM CONTRACT
This is an exciting new opportunity for an outstanding Communications and External Affairs leader to make a real difference in the way we communicate and engage with our stakeholders.
Why join us:
Working together to keep Bedfordshire safe is our purpose, and as Head of Communications and External Affairs, you will play a key role in delivering that mission.
Here’s what makes this opportunity exceptional:
Impact: You will be the strategic adviser and driving force behind creating and implementing communication and external affairs strategies. You will communicate with a range of stakeholders including our employees, communities, emergency service partners and government agencies Making a meaningful difference to building strong and effective relationships.
Leadership: You will provide strategic leadership to our well-established Communications and Engagement team to successfully deliver our Service aims.
Work-life balance: We recognise that you are looking for more than just a career. We offer a range of benefits to support your career whilst maintaining a healthy work/ life balance.
What you’ll be doing
You will take the lead in communications and external affairs capability on behalf of BFRS, its FRA members, the public and our communities.
You will lead the development and delivery of strategies to increase employee engagement helping establish and maintain a workplace in which every employee feels valued, connected, and inspired.
With your skills in strategic communications and external affairs, you will play a crucial role in assisting and advising the Chair of the Fire Authority, the Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive, and the leadership team with the provision of clear, balanced advice and expertise.
The main areas of focus include:
external facing communications
internal communications and employee engagement including cultural change
external stakeholders and external affairs activity
crisis communications such as responses to key or significant events
profile and brand management
planning and developing campaigns and events
community engagement.
About you
Your expertise and innovative thinking will allow you to creatively deliver and implement key communications and external affairs initiatives. You will have a relevant degree or equivalent experience in one of the following areas:
Public Relations
Communications and Media Studies
English Language and literature
Business and Management
Sales and Marketing
Together with:
Significant experience in creating and implementing robust communications and engagement strategies, procedures and action plans including; PR, communications, employee and community engagement, marketing, social media and website development
Experience of advising chief executives or senior staff in media relations, political engagement and other high-profile situations
Significant experience of delivering strong and effective communications content across multiple media channels and speak publicly with confidence and professionalism including crisis management situations
Experience of external and/or parliamentary affairs, working with officials and senior partners to communicate key messages
Highly skilled at establishing and maintaining professional relationships, communicating and influencing across all levels, internally and externally.
For more details on the essential criteria required for the role, please see the attached job description and person specification.
Why work with us
A few of our benefits include:
-Hybrid working patterns
-Flexi-time scheme including flexible start and finish times, variable lunch breaks and flexi-leave days
-Local Government Pension Scheme
-Holiday allowance of 25 days* (plus public holidays) on joining; increasing to 30 days* after 5 years’ service and 32 days after 10 years’ service (*pro rota if part time or irregular working pattern)
-Subsidised catering facilities providing hot and cold meals
-Paid training and development opportunities
-Free access to onsite gym facilities
-Free onsite parking
-Instant access to ‘Lifestyle Savings’ platform includes a range of discount cards from well-known and independent retailers
-Eligible to sign up to ‘Blue Light Card’ with access to thousands of amazing discounts online and on the high street.
Next steps
To apply, please complete our online application form via our website: https://www.bedsfire.gov.uk/careers/search. You must include your full career history and demonstrate in your supporting statement how you meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification.
For an informal discussion with CFO Andrew Hopkinson please contact Nicola Taggart, PA to Principal Officers via email nicola.taggart@bedsfire.gov.uk to arrange a time.
The selection process will take place on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 November 2023
In this role, you will participate in our 24/7 out of hours media service.
This is a public-facing role, and it is essential to have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English.
We are an equal opportunities employer that welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.