The Communications Officer – Strategic Communications role is responsible for delivering creative, collaborative and innovative communications that build trust, satisfaction and confidence among communities, partners and our workforce. It ensures a 24/7 capability to respond to major incidents and produce hyper‑targeted, localised messaging that supports operational priorities. Acting as a trusted expert within the Corporate Communications Department, the postholder leads the development of accessible, inclusive communications that positively influence behaviours and align with force objectives.
Reporting to the Strategic Communications & Engagemen Manager, the postholder will plan, lead and implement effective internal and external communication strategies, producing high–quality written and digital content across all channels. They will monitor trends, assess risks and evaluate performance to improve engagement. The role includes advising senior stakeholders, managing thematic priorities and building strong relationships with internal and external partners to deliver outcome‑focused communications that cut through a competitive landscape and enhance public confidence.
Key Responsibilities
* Strategic Planning and Leadership: Lead the end‑to‑end development and implementation of effective internal and external communication strategies, which will align to organisational priorities, initiatives, projects and campaigns.
* Multi‑channel Content Creation and Campaign Delivery: Produce innovative, high‑quality content – both written and digital – for a range of digital channels (including the external website, internal platforms and social media channels), as well as physical campaign material. Delivery of communications and engagement for specific initiatives, behaviour and corporate change projects and employee and community‑related strategic engagement activity.
* Insight, Evaluation and Risk Management: Proactively monitor media sentiment and social channels to identify potential risks and emerging trends. Provide expert advice to senior leaders to mitigate reputational risk and evaluate the impact of communication activity.
* Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management: Develop and maintain robust relationships with key internal and external partners and stakeholders, to offer advice and guidance, shape effective communications and prevent misinformation.
* Brand Advocacy: Help embed the force’s brand and identity through all communications, and ensure content is inclusive and accessible.
Full details of the role, including Essential, Desirable and any educational requirements, are available in the original posting.
Contact: For further information regarding this role, please email Jodie Carpenter on jodie.carpenter@westmidlands.police.uk
Hours of Work and Flexibility
This is a full‑time position working between core hours of 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday. The role is hybrid working with 60% of working days on site.
Vetting
Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Security Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, which will include a full background and financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.
Medical
Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully completing medical checks, which may include a drug test.
Interviews
Will take place week commencing 22nd June 2026.
Benefit Statement
* Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.
* Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.
* Discounts across travel, parking, daily costs of living and leisure activities.
* A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support, free eye tests and flu jabs.
Prospective Officers and Staff
Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.
Disability Confident Leader
West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader – the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ – all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.
Diversity and Inclusion Vision
Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities.
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