Deputy Head of Communications & Engagement and Transformation Lead

Overview

Are you a senior communications professional ready to shape and transform how a major organisation connects, informs and engages?

This is an opportunity to step into a high‑impact leadership role where you’ll drive innovation, strengthen performance and help deliver meaningful change across a dynamic public sector environment.

As Deputy Head of Communications & Engagement and Transformation Lead, you will play a pivotal role in leading the service, modernising how it operates and ensuring communications are insight‑led, high quality and aligned to organisational priorities

Annual Salay: Up to £77,000

About us

Our Communications and Engagement Service is at the heart of how we connect with residents, colleagues, councillors, partners and stakeholders. As a service, we're on an exciting journey to evolve how we communicate and engage - embracing new approaches in how we tell our stories, listening more actively and creating meaningful opportunities for people to shape the decisions that affect them.

About the role

This is a senior leadership position at the heart of the Communications and Engagement function, combining strategic influence with operational delivery. You will deputise for the Head of Communications & Engagement, providing leadership, direction and expert advice on complex and sensitive communications issues. At the same time, you will lead a major programme of transformation - redesigning systems, processes and ways of working to create a modern, efficient and high‑performing service.

The role offers a unique blend of challenge and opportunity. You will oversee service performance, embed consistent standards and introduce innovative approaches, including digital tools and new technologies. You’ll also contribute to major organisational priorities, support emergency communications when required and ensure the service is resilient, responsive and fit for the future.

Key responsibilities include:

• Driving transformation and continuous improvement across systems, processes and frameworks
• Overseeing operational delivery across campaigns, media, digital and internal communications
• Establishing and monitoring KPIs, performance frameworks and quality standards
• Leading and developing teams, building capability and embedding a culture of excellence
• Providing expert advice to senior leaders, Members and partners on communications strategy and risk
• Supporting emergency and high‑profile communications activity
• Acting as senior deputy to the Head of Communications & Engagement and leading the service when required

For a full breakdown of responsibilities, please refer to the detailed Job Description.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

We are looking for a confident, credible and forward‑thinking leader who thrives in a complex, fast‑paced environment. You will bring a strong track record of leading communications or engagement services at a senior level, ideally within the public sector or similarly complex organisation. With exceptional judgement and influencing skills, you will be comfortable advising senior stakeholders and navigating sensitive issues with professionalism and integrity.

You will be highly organised and solutions‑focused, with the ability to translate strategy into clear operational plans and deliver results at pace. A passion for continuous improvement, innovation and developing others will be key to success, along with the ability to build strong relationships and foster collaboration across teams and partners.

You will bring:

• Significant senior‑level experience in communications, engagement or a related field
• Strong knowledge of modern communications practices across media, digital, campaigns and internal communications
• Proven experience of service planning, performance management and delivering improvements
• Demonstrable leadership experience, including developing teams and embedding high standards
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities
• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent professional experience

For full details of the essential and desirable criteria, please refer to the Job Description.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Other information

For more information about this role, please contact Cat Spalton at [email protected] for an informal discussion.

Closing date: Midnight on Thursday 25th June 2026

Interview Date: 1st and 2nd  July 2026.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

a fair and inclusive culture

• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

 

About the Service Area

A key duty of the Deputy Chief Executive directorate is Policy & Communications. This team works with services across the council to provide staff, residents, businesses, members and partners with the information they need, in the way they need it, when they need it. It enables Buckinghamshire Council and Buckinghamshire communities to tell their stories and serves to inform, educate, involve and inspire our community to create a better Buckinghamshire. 

Our Communications team contains a diverse mix of teams with specialist skills covering various channels. These teams include Campaign and Marketing, News and Media, Social Media and Digital Content, Design, and Internal Communications. Working collaboratively, we help to protect and build the reputation of the council, regionally and nationally, so that we are known as a council that is innovative, responsive and efficiently run. 

These teams are supported by our experts in the Policy team, who develop and maintain principles and protocols that underpin our Equality policy, our communication strategies, and our policies of consultation with the public. This ensures that we are able to listen to and engage with Buckinghamshire’s staff, members, business and residents in the most effective way possible.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/