Head of Communications & Engagement Competitive Salary Full time, Permanent 37 hours per week Based in Chichester

We have a dynamic and forward-looking communications team seeking a leader to maintain their reputation for excellence and to drive their contribution to the Council’s vital place in its community. As the Head of Communications & Engagement you will ensure West Sussex County Council’s core aims and ambitions are clear, coherent and understood by everyone. You will help the Cabinet Members and the Leadership Team to articulate their political priorities and the strategic outcomes for the County. You will also lead the development and delivery of sound systems of internal communications for staff and elected members. The context for the County Council is changing. Demographic and economic pressures meet challenges to maintain quality services and to provide residents and communities with greater choice and influence over those services. New ways of working are needed to enable our services to focus on the Council’s priorities to support people at the start of life, for later life and to build the local economy. These priorities are to be achieved through stronger community and partner relations and customer engagement. The emphasis is on outcomes and an open approach to how services are provided. Key to your success in this role is the proactive oversight of the Council’s reputation and relationship with its residents, communities and partners and real engagement with its staff. You will do this by managing the County Council’s image through effective media and news management, the agile use of internal communication of the Council’s agenda and ambitions, and a range of ways for increasing the value of its brand. You will work closely with the Leader of the County Council and report directly to the Chief Executive. As a member of the Council’s corporate management group, you will also contribute to the design and implementation of the County Council’s strategic objectives. To succeed in this role you will have proven experience of having worked at a senior level in a Public Relations, Communications or Media environment. You will need to show your significant experience of increasing the use of social media and new media channels and of operating in a leadership role. You will have successfully led the delivery of strategic objectives and business plans. You are also required to submit: • Your CV, and • a combined covering letter and supporting statement (of no more than 3 sides of A4 in total), detailing your suitability for the role and how you meet the capability requirements of the role. For an informal discussion about the role with our Chief Executive, please call the Chief Executive’s Office to book an appointment.

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