Communications and Engagement Lead

Role and team

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) is seeking to appoint two Communications and Engagement Leads, one to support our Strategic Growth & Place Team and another, our Mass Transit Team. Your key responsibilities would be to build public understanding, stakeholder confidence and political support for some of the region’s most significant programmes, shaping how the West of England grows over the coming decades.

We’re looking for a dynamic, strategic communicator who is passionate about inclusive, sustainable growth and the future of our region. This is your opportunity to help craft the story of how we deliver new homes, jobs, infrastructure and a transformational mass transit system.

This is a critical time in our transformation and growth journey, and you’ll be pivotal in helping us achieve our ambitions by:

Supporting the development of compelling narratives around growth, infrastructure, transport and place making.

Developing and delivering proactive engagement and consultation activity across major programmes. Ensuring consistency of messaging and engagement approaches across strategic growth initiatives. Completing high quality public consultations that reach diverse communities across the region. Providing expert advice to senior leaders on communications risks, opportunities and reputation management.

Are you someone who can translate complex technical information into clear messages, build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, and ultimately always focuses on inclusive, meaningful engagement?

• Lead communications, engagement and consultation activity across major growth or transport programmes.
• Build and manage relationships with local, regional and national stakeholders to secure confidence and support.
• Work closely with delivery teams to ensure a coherent, coordinated regional narrative around economic growth.
• Plan and lead public consultations from design and promotion to analysis and dissemination.
• Manage external consultants delivering communications, engagement and consultation work.
• Operate effectively within a matrix managed environment, collaborating across directorates and programmes.
• Support senior leaders with briefings, advice and insight.
• Develop brand identity for major programmes.

You’ll be a confident communicator with:
Strong understanding of communications, engagement and consultation principles in a public sector environment. Experience delivering communications and engagement for complex, high profile transport or infrastructure projects. Proven ability to develop and implement communications and engagement strategies. Experience delivering or overseeing public consultation and community engagement activity. Excellent interpersonal skills, political sensitivity, tact and diplomacy. Ability to develop compelling narratives around complex policy and delivery programmes.

• Understanding of local, regional and national context around strategic growth, place or transport.
• Knowledge of how major projects are developed, approved and funded.
• Experience managing consultation related contracts or project work streams.

This team sits at the heart of shaping the future of the West of England, from new homes and innovation districts to a transformational mass transit system. You’ll join a collaborative, forward thinking organisation committed to inclusive, sustainable growth.

If this sounds like your next opportunity, there’s more information for you in the job description. There’s more role-related information in the job description, but if you have any questions for the recruitment team you can contact us on Resour

The closing date for this role is midnight on Sunday 16th August. The interviews are planned to be held w/c 1st September 2026 but please note the date may change. If you aren’t the right opportunity for you right now, you may keep up to date with future roles.