Location: Chelmsford. Advert Closing Date: 30/06/2026. Starting Salary: £42,612.00 (pro‑rata for part‑time vacancies). Part/Full Time: Full Time. Contract Type: Permanent. Working Pattern: Mon‑Fri. Weekend/Evening Working: No.
This is an exciting role for a talented internal communications professional to join a complex organisation with more than 6,000 police officers, staff and volunteers spread across the county. The Internal Communications Officer plays a key role in keeping colleagues informed and engaged across the constantly evolving policing landscape, including changes to legislation, technology, systems, estate and day‑to‑day operations.
Responsibilities
- Maintain the convEXion intranet and other internal communication platforms.
- Edit the Chief Constable’s weekly blog.
- Drive engagement on internal platforms such as Viva Engage.
- Produce and edit written and creative content.
- Take a lead role in the force‑wide reward and recognition programme, including annual awards and Long Service & Good Conduct events.
- Support employee engagement programmes throughout the year.
- Provide strategic internal communications support to senior leaders and colleagues across the force.
- Share timely and relevant information during major incidents and emergencies.
- Advise on the layout, design, and editorial aspects of internal publications.
- Coordinate events, roadshows, and briefings to ensure colleagues feel valued, informed, and involved in delivering Essex Police’s vision and values.
Qualifications
- Demonstrable professional communication skills, including content development, media relations, campaigning, filming and editing, advising senior management, and crisis communications.
- Qualified to degree level in a relevant subject (media, communications) or a NCTJ or BJTC‑qualified journalist.
- Two years’ experience in a similar role.
- Proven communications experience with the ability to understand complex and sensitive issues in a public sector environment.
- Understanding of the principles of branding and effective internal communication and how communication strategies fulfil the expectations and aims of Essex Police.
- Skills to prepare lively and crisp copy for a variety of internal publications and possess good editorial skills.
- Ability to advise on layout and design of material, and be well organised and methodical in planning and managing projects; an understanding of the policing environment, issues and relevant legislation is essential.
- Pro‑active, innovative, creative, able to produce options, proposals and recommendations for maintaining and developing a high‑quality, effective internal communications network and products for the force.
- Level of interpersonal skills necessary to interact, persuade and influence people, holding the credibility and confidence of officers and staff at all ranks and grades.
- Excellent communication and presentational skills, eye for detail and passion for plain English.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.
All posts require a level of vetting and security clearance. During the recruitment process you will be sent vetting information forms to complete.
If you are not from the UK you must be a resident and have lived here continuously for the last three years, and you must have indefinite leave to remain. If you are from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years.
Disability Confident Leader
- Have subjected our Disability Confident self‑assessment to external challenge and validation.
- Are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.
