Head of Communications

Company: Sussex Police
Apply for the Head of Communications
Location: Lewes
Job Description:

Overview

Sussex Police is looking for a dynamic, creative and highly experienced communications and engagement specialist to lead the force’s Corporate Communications and Engagement team. This role is critical in maintaining the trust and confidence of our communities and you will be pivotal in ensuring that Sussex Police deliver an outstanding service to the public.

Responsibilities

Reporting into the Deputy Chief Constable, you will be an integral member of our extended Chief Officer team. As the Head of Profession and the strategic advisor to our Chief Officers you will experience unique leadership challenges which will see you leading the delivery of external communications ranging from organisational issues such as the force’s ambitious transformation strategy through to operational issues arising from major incidents. You will also be responsible for the effective management of internal communications to ensure that our workforce is highly engaged and motivated to deliver the Chief Constable’s strategy to Protect, Catch, Deliver. Finally, as a collaborated force, you will seek to build upon the close relationships with counterparts in Surrey Police to ensure a joined-up approach to those staff working within joint functions

Location and hours

Based at Police Headquarters in Lewes, East Sussex, you will be expected to travel throughout Sussex and outside of county as required. You will also be required to work evenings and weekends when operational commitments determine. In return we offer a competitive benefits package which includes an excellent pension scheme, mileage allowance, opportunities for flexible and agile working, and executive health checks

Qualifications

  • Public-service centred individual with a track record in building public trust and confidence within communities
  • Exceptional leadership skills with extensive experience of leading outcome-focused teams
  • Substantial experience in a communications discipline or degree-level education or equivalent professional qualification with a commitment to Continued Professional Development
  • Demonstrable experience of delivering major communications projects across multiple channels
  • Exceptional influencing skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships within complex operational environments and across organisations
  • Experience in delivering crisis management responses to emerging and ongoing critical incidents
  • Political acumen to ensure the effective stakeholder management during complex local and national structural change
  • Strong ability to balance and manage conflict between short- and long-term priorities and reactive/proactive work
  • Effective budgetary management to deliver excellent value for money

For more info and to apply please contact the Head of Communications and Engagement. Closing date for applications is 22nd June 2026 and interviews are on Friday 3rd July 2026.

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Posted: June 1st, 2026