Head of Police Communications Standards

College of Policing

United Kingdom

Remote

Expires: Expiring in 5 days

Communications

Flexible

£66,360 per year

Job summary

Applications for this role are restricted to existing employees of the College of Policing, the Civil Service and staff of a UK police force or UK policing organisation.

This post can be based at our sites in either Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Harrogate or London . Hybrid working opportunities can also be discussed prior to you taking up your post. This role is also available as a designated homeworking role.

We’re the professional body for the police service in England and Wales. We work with everyone in policing to set standards, to share knowledge and good practice and to support the development of police officers and staff. Our mission is to drive a consistent approach across policing where the public and the service expect it, to boost professionalism and to improve leadership at every level.

Although we're a small organisation, our work has a big reach. We are uniquely placed to work both with national policing organisations and local forces to support frontline officers, staff and volunteers in their day-to-day roles.

We offer a supportive and inclusive environment for people to thrive. Our extensive flexible-working policy, employee wellbeing support, family friendly policies, employers’ network for equality and inclusion membership (ENEI silver award winners), and status as a disability confident leader means everyone can bring their whole self to work.

Vetting

The role requires vetting level NPPV2 and CTC and you may need to complete further vetting forms if you do not already have this level.

Job description

We are looking for an exceptional communications specialist to drive through some of the biggest changes in British policing for communicating with the public. Connecting with communities is essential for the police to build trust and cut crime. This founding principle of policing exists within a landscape of ever-expanding social media, rolling news and a renewed reliance on the police for factual, timely information. As the standards setting body for the police in England and Wales, we have an ambitious plan to build on the award-winning work of police force communications teams and bring consistency across both regions. You will occupy a national communications role which will make tangible difference on the ground for how the public consume news and information from the police. You will have access to police force communications teams across the country and represent the College of Policing in discussions with national and regional journalists to shape and develop guidance for policing. The reach of police communications also goes outside of mainstream and social media and you will be involved in shaping communications for neighbourhood officers; senior investigating officers and gold commanders, ensuring there is the right support in place for police forces to engage with major stakeholders. The College is looking for someone who will match the drive and ambition we have to support communications teams to lead with truth, compassion and public service.

Person specification

Some of your responsibilities will include:

Build and retain credibility internally and externally on current and emerging issues within the subject area and associated application of guidance, policy and standards.
Support national policing and local forces to implement the recommendations of high profile reviews and outcomes from public inquiries, providing leadership to the professional community specific to those relevant to communications.
Develop strong collaborative working relationships at a senior level across policing, the media and wider sectors, to influence and build support for the College’s brand, products and activities.

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

Level 6/7 Qualification in the subject matter or extensive equivalent experience as either a head of communications, head of media or other related senior role within policing.
Ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels and work collaboratively to achieve objectives.
Understanding or potential to develop knowledge of the wider policing landscape with the ability to relate political factors and policy decisions to the development of standards, practice and guidance.

Please see the attached job description which contains full details of the role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Seeing the Big Picture
Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £66,360, College of Policing contributes £19,224 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Learning and development tailored to your role.
An environment with flexible working options.
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

For more information about your benefits and staff networks, visit Guide to your employee benefits

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Vacancy reference: 7074

Anticipated interview dates: w/c 23 Feb 2026

Applications for this role are restricted to existing employees of the College of Policing, the Civil Service and staff of a UK police force or UK policing organisation.

Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the recruitment process, will be given priority over other applicants.

If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Zoe Hebden, Head of Corporate Communications zoe.hebden@college.police.uk

An initial sift based on the Personal Statement may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Salary range

£66,360 per year