West Midlands Police
External Relations Manager (Corporate Comms)
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Job Purpose
The External Relations Manager is a key role in West Midlands Police’s mission of ‘Working in partnership, making communities safer’ and our strategic communications and engagement approach, focused on building trust, satisfaction, and confidence among communities, partners, and our workforce.
Acting as a trusted expert within the Corporate Communications Department and strategic advisor to the Force Executive Team, the postholder leads on the development of accessible, inclusive communications and engagement activity that positively influences outcomes, aligned with force objectives, and deepens our ability to develop policy and strategy with partners and senior stakeholders.
This position provides strategic leadership for external and stakeholder engagement across the force, with the aim of identifying, building and maintaining relations to support the force achieve its strategic priorities.
The postholder will be part of our experienced News and External Relations Team, closely working with the Chief of Staff, to maintain positive relationships with strategic stakeholders, such as across local authorities, bluelight services, the Combined Authority, local and regional politicians and members of Government, faith leaders and community advocates. The role will therefore require that the individual cultivates and owns relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders, proactively maintaining positive engagement and seeking out events and visits as advocacy opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Communications: Develop and execute multi-channel external communications and stakeholder engagement strategies. Evaluate external relations and communications performance.
- Political & Stakeholder Landscape: Deep understanding of local and regional governance, including the mechanics of local authorities, the Combined Authority, bluelight services, and central government. Manage complex stakeholder relationships and build and maintain these as well as influencing and negotiating with senior colleagues and external stakeholders.
- Partnership Working: Identify, build and maintain high-level relationships with diverse external groups, including faith leaders, community advocates, and senior politicians. Identify, plan and execute high-impact visits and public events as advocacy opportunities.
- Executive Advising: Act as a trusted advisor to Executive Teams, Chief Officers, or equivalent senior leadership figures.
- Project management: Deliver projects to time, budget, brief and manage risk.
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Hours
Monday - Friday, 0800 - 1600 (36.5 hours), a degree of flexibility may be required.
Location
Lloyd House, B4 6AT
Interviews
W/C 16th November
Vetting
Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Security Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.
Medical
Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a hearing test.
Why Join West Midlands Police?
A career with West Midlands Police is about more than a job, it's an opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of people. Whatever your role, you'll contribute to keeping our communities safe while developing your own skills and career.
When you join us, you'll benefit from:
- Meaningful work that makes a difference every day.
- A diverse range of career opportunities across policing and professional support services.
- High-quality training, development and opportunities to progress.
- A supportive and inclusive working environment where everyone is encouraged to achieve their potential.
- Competitive pay, generous annual leave, excellent pension arrangements and a wide range of employee benefits.
- The opportunity to work alongside dedicated colleagues who share a common purpose.
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Our Commitment to Inclusion
We believe that a diverse workforce helps us better understand and serve the communities we protect. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to succeed.
As a Disability Confident Leader, the highest level of the Government's Disability Confident scheme, we are committed to removing barriers to employment and supporting disabled applicants and employees throughout their careers. Through our Disability Confident Interview Scheme, applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for a role will normally be offered an interview, subject to the scheme's terms and any recruitment constraints.
Our Diversity and Inclusion Vision is to maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness, respect and inclusion, enabling us to deliver the best possible service to our communities.
Professional Standards
Working in policing is a position of trust. Our officers and staff are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability. Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate vetting and are expected to uphold the ethical standards and responsibilities that come with serving the public.
Benefits
We know that supporting our people is essential to delivering the best service to our communities. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of employee benefits, wellbeing support and development opportunities to help you thrive throughout your career.
Visit our Benefits page to find out more about the rewards and support available when you join West Midlands Police.
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