OUR CLIENT:

The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. It regulates party and election finance and sets standards for well-run elections. It works to support a healthy democracy, where elections and referendums are based on principles of trust, participation, and no undue influence. Voters are at the heart of our democracy and central to the Commission’s work. Everything the Commission does is to help people trust, value and take part in elections. Their vision is a fair democracy fit for the future. This is what they strive towards in every aspect of their work.

THE ROLE:

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead External Communications for an organisation at the very heart of the UK's democracy.

Reporting into the Director of Communications and External Affairs, you will lead delivery of the Commission’s external affairs function. You will engage with the media and parliamentary stakeholders to build support for and understanding of the Commission’s work, objectives and value.

You will advise on and deliver effective communication strategies which reach key audiences.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

As Head of External Communications, you will be responsible for:

• Define, implement and evaluate the Commission’s external communications strategy, ensuring it supports long-term strategic goals
• Proactively address complex communications challenges, balancing transparency, impartiality, accuracy and authority across multiple stakeholder groups including the public, media, and parliamentarians.
• Oversee the Commission’s media engagement approach. Proactively identifying and pursuing media opportunities to promote the Commission’s work and build understanding of the democratic system.
• Lead on the Commission’s public affairs strategy. Alongside senior colleagues, build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the UK’s governments and parliaments.
• Provide strategic leadership on the maintenance of public and stakeholder confidence in the Commission, ensuring complex reputational risks are identified early, and appropriately managed and mitigated.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Extensive experience of leading external communications functions and delivering complex communications strategies, ideally including some experience in the public sector.
• Strong experience working, negotiating, influencing and building relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, including parliamentarians and the media.
• Strong experience of advising on communications best practice, and in maintaining communication standards.
• Experience of using a range of media and public affairs tactics to maximise results in media coverage and awareness amongst key audiences.
• Experience taking other professional disciplines into consideration when developing communication strategies, e.g. regulatory, policy, and legal.
• Strong experience of managing complex projects and large budgets.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

£71,000 - £75,000. Benefits include, Civil Service pension scheme, 28 days annual leave (rising to 30), flexi-time scheme.

HOW TO APPLY:

Vox Partners is working in partnership with the Electoral Commission for this recruitment. For more information and to apply, please visit our website. Closing date for applications, 3rd September.

We are an equal opportunities recruitment partner and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of background.