Are you a skilled communicator with a flair for creating engaging content? Experienced in devising and implementing effective communications strategies? A leader with a passion for connecting with diverse audiences and developing your team? If the answer is yes, you could be exactly who we’re looking for.
We’re looking for a fixed term Senior Strategic Communications Manager to help us communicate our activities and connect with our audiences. As an independent public body, the Judicial Appointments Commission is responsible for designing, planning, and running recruitment campaigns to select judges in the courts and tribunals, up to and including the High Court, as well as non-legal tribunal members. You can read more about our work on our website.
With a new recruitment campaign launched every couple of weeks, and statutory responsibilities to make sure we select candidates on merit and through fair and open competition, it’s essential that our processes are robust, inclusive, and attractive to candidates from the widest possible backgrounds. It’s also essential that our audiences and stakeholders understand our work and our commitment to support a diverse judiciary that represents the society it serves.
Our Senior Strategic Communications Manager role is essential for us achieving that ambition. They lead on all aspects of our strategic communication activity for both internal and external audiences, creating content, managing campaigns, and engaging our varied audiences.
They also play a lead role in providing communications advice to the JAC Chair, Chief Executive and Commissioners, as well as working with stakeholders to promote the work of the JAC, highlighting our commitment to diversity and maintaining our reputation as a centre for recruitment excellence. They are also pivotal in helping us to deliver our strategic objectives.
The Senior Strategic Communications Manager will work closely with colleagues across the JAC, and beyond, and will have opportunities to be involved in different cross-JAC projects and initiatives during this 12-month maternity cover opportunity.
Reporting to the Head of Diversity, Engagement and Communications, your main responsibilities will include:
Lead on the implementation of our communication and engagement strategy and evaluating the impact of various priorities within the strategy.
Provide strategic communications advice to the JAC Chair, Commissioners and Senior Leadership team on both internal and external communication issues.
Lead on the delivery of key strategic JAC projects such as the Annual Report and the adoption of the judicial skills and abilities framework.
Manage the relationships and expectations of a range of key external stakeholders, tailoring messages appropriately and paying close attention to detail.
Working closely with stakeholder engagement colleagues to develop communications and engagement plans and with policy and operational teams to implement these plans, including advising on audience targeting, messaging, channels, and evaluation.
Working with the JAC external communications adviser to devise, deliver and oversee all media handling.
Creating digital content such as news items, press releases, social media posts (including X and LinkedIn) and candidate guidance.
Overseeing the strategic direction and delivery of internal communications, in line with our values.
Line managing 2 strategic communication managers (HEO)
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
Experience of providing communications advice within an organisation, ideally to senior leadership teams and stakeholders.
Strong understanding of the communications landscape, including an understanding of, and experience in using a range of communication tools, channels, and evaluation techniques,
Experience of influencing and engaging a wide range of internal and external audiences.
The ability to manage the complex needs of a range of high-profile and influential internal and external stakeholders within a specialist area.
Outstanding oral and written communication skills to deliver high quality briefings for the JAC Chair, Commissions and Chief Executive.
Experience of managing a team to deliver effective communications plans and activities.
Experience of the design and delivery of digital communications, including use of social media and web-editing platforms.
Understanding of legal sector
We offer a range of benefits including an attractive annual leave allowance, flexible and hybrid working opportunities, and choice of pension schemes. We actively encourage all staff to undertake learning and development as part of their personal objectives and have a range of networks to support and promote inclusivity, wellbeing, and dignity at work among other things.
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the recruitment process:
Communicating and Influencing
Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Your CV
A statement of suitability outlining how your skills and experience make you suitable for the post (500 words max).
Written evidence of the 3 core behaviours for this role: Communicating and influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, and Making Effective Decisions (250 words each)
Applications will be sifted based on the CV, Statement of Suitability and the 3 behaviours of Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Big Picture and Making Effective Decisions.
If we receive a high number of applications, applications will be sifted on the CV, Statement of Suitability, and lead behaviour: Communicating and Influencing.
At interview you we will assess you against all 4 behaviours: Communicating and influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, and Working Together. You will also be asked about your experience. You can find out more about the Civil Service success profiles.
Applicants invited for interview may be required to undertake a presentation as part of this interview process. Candidates may be asked to complete this in the week before their scheduled interview slot and present this at the start of the interview. Further information about what task will be required will be provided to candidates shortlisted for interview.
Interviews are expected to take place in mid/late September. Interviews may be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams or face-to-face. More details on the arrangements will be provided to candidates invited to interview.
As well as appointing to the vacancy listed above, we may place other candidates on a 12-month reserve list for future vacancies.
Office Attendance
JAC staff are currently working in a hybrid way with a minimum of 2 days per week in the JAC office in Westminster, London. Applicants for this role should note that they may be required to attend the JAC offices in London office more than 2 days per week in line with business need.
If after reading this job description you require any further information, please contact Reece Pope, Head of Diversity, Engagement and Communications: Reece.Pope@judicialappointments.gov.uk
If you have any questions about the recruitment campaign, or any terms and conditions relating to the role, please contact the JAC Recruitment Team: Recruitment@judicialappointments.gov.uk