Senior Communications Manager

Job Introduction

Fixed Term for 12 months 

Create the story. Build confidence. Make positive change happen 

At BCP Council we don’t shy away from challenges as we strive to get the best for our residents.  

We’re a council that puts people at the heart of all we do.  

We’ve navigated one of the most complex local government reorganisations, our transformation programme is complete, and we’ve established the building blocks of a clear vision and strategy. 

We’re now creating a new corporate communications service to support our next chapter and we’re excited by the opportunities ahead.

As Senior Communications Manager, you’ll be at the forefront of shaping BCP Council’s narrative, delivering campaigns with influence and making positive change happen through impactful communications. 

This is an exciting opportunity to influence and help us set the foundations for a modern and forward-thinking central communications team.  

Reporting directly to the Head of Corporate Communications, you’ll play a key role within the senior management team, designing and overseeing communications strategies across the council while collaborating with stakeholders both internally and externally to deliver effective communications.   

This role is ideal for a dynamic leader with a passion for storytelling. You’ll thrive in leading campaigns, and in fast paced reactive situations, ensuring BCP Council’s brand is impactful, authentic, and consistent.

You’ll have a proven track record of interpreting data and insight to influence your decision making.

You’ll enjoy working in an environment that fosters innovation and be able to bring fresh thinking and creative ideas to the table.  

Main responsibilities 

As Senior Communications Manager you will: 

• Navigate complex stakeholder environments and liaise effectively with internal clients to manage competing priorities and align messaging.

• Be a trusted advisor to the council’s senior leadership team providing strategic communications advice, using data-driven insights to guide decisions on key communications.

• Shape BCP Council’s story, showcase our leadership, and the difference we make to our communities.

• Drive team excellence.  You’ll inspire and mentor a team, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate 

•. You’ll have a track record of designing and delivering high-profile communications campaigns.

• Strategic decision-making skills.  You’ll be able to think critically, anticipate challenges, and make informed decisions under pressure, and in a fast-paced environment

• Expertise in issues and crisis communications.  You’ll be able to handle sensitive issues with confidence, providing clarity and guidance to senior stakeholders.

• Strong media relations and storytelling skills.   You’ll have a proven ability to secure high-impact media coverage and craft compelling narratives that resonate with different audiences.

• Senior stakeholder management.  You’ll be comfortable advising senior leaders, navigating complex dynamics, and influencing key decisions.

• You’ll be a self-starter who thrives in fast-paced environments, takes initiative, and consistently delivers results.

• Adaptability and resilience – You’ll have a strong ability to adapt to evolving priorities, challenge constructively and maintain composure in challenging situations.  

If you are interested in the role and would like an informal chat please contact Carly Hoyle, Head of Corporate Communications: carly.hoyle@bcpcouncil.gov.uk 

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

Our Benefits

We offer an excellent benefits package to colleagues. Find out more on our website

As a result of the creation of BCP Council in 2019, we are working on simplifying our terms and conditions of service and will be creating a single pay structure which is to be applicable for all employees. It is important to us that we offer benefits that our colleagues value as part of their total employment package and we are reviewing these to make sure we have it right. We have been in a process of collective bargaining since 2019 and have positively worked forward to reach an agreed position with the unions for the new contractual offer. This has taken longer than we hoped and therefore we are having to consider all alternative avenues available to enable us to remove inequality in the organisation as a result of bringing together 3 councils. 

We are in the process of establishing a timescale for implementation, and all colleagues joining us will be included in these changes. We want to reassure everyone that whichever route is taken to reach the new terms and conditions, we can honour continuous service and there will not be any job reduction as a result of the implementation of Pay and Reward.  If you have any questions at all about this process, please feel free to raise this with the hiring manager.