Senior Strategic Communications Lead

Overview

Buckinghamshire Council is seeking an exceptional strategic communications leader to join our award-winning Corporate Communications and Engagement Service as a Senior Strategic Communications Lead.

This is a high-profile leadership role at the heart of the organisation, working alongside senior officers, elected members and programme leaders to shape how we communicate with residents, support major transformation programmes and build trust across our communities. If you are an experienced communications professional who enjoys influencing at a senior level, navigating complex challenges and leading high-performing teams, this is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible impact across Buckinghamshire.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

About the role

As a senior leader within the service, you will help drive the Council's transformation programme and shape how communications and engagement supports organisational success. Leading and developing a high-performing team, you will influence major projects, strategic priorities and key decisions that impact residents and communities across Buckinghamshire.

As Senior Strategic Communications Lead, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic communications and engagement plans that support corporate priorities, transformation programmes and major projects.
• Provide expert communications advice and challenge to senior managers, elected members and programme boards.
• Lead high-profile communications, consultation and engagement programmes that deliver positive outcomes for residents and communities.
• Identify and manage reputational risks, emerging issues and sensitive communications challenges.
• Use insight, research and evaluation to shape communications strategies and improve performance.
• Build strong relationships across the Council and with external stakeholders, partners and community organisations.
• Lead, motivate and develop a team of communications professionals, creating a positive, high-performing culture.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the Communications and Engagement Service, championing innovation, best practice and continuous improvement.

This role offers the opportunity to work on complex and high-impact issues, influence organisational decision-making and help shape how Buckinghamshire Council connects with residents, communities and stakeholders.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need a desk, screen a keyboard to get your job done. 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

You will be an experienced communications leader with:

• Significant experience delivering strategic communications, consultation and engagement activity within a large and complex organisation.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and confidently.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including experience advising senior leaders and elected members.
• Experience leading high-profile, politically sensitive or reputationally significant communications programmes.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience using insight, evaluation and evidence to inform communications strategies and decision-making.
• Sound judgement, political awareness and the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.

You'll also embody our values of Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy, bringing a strategic mindset, a commitment to continuous improvement and a passion for delivering communications that make a difference to residents and communities.

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 Laura Cooper at [email protected] for an informal discussion.

Closing date: Sunday 8th November 2026

Interview Date: w/c 9th November 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 exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

Our values

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

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to providing clear, accessible and engaging information for our staff, residents, businesses and partners. Our Corporate Communications and Engagement Service helps deliver the Council's priorities by promoting our values, supporting organisational change, telling the stories of our communities and strengthening trust with those we serve.

You'll join a collaborative, ambitious multidisciplinary team spanning strategic communications, media relations, campaigns, internal communications, social media, creative design and engagement. Together, we deliver insight-led communications and engagement that support the Council's priorities and improve outcomes for residents.

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/