Lead Strategic Communications Partner

Job title:

Lead Strategic Communications and News Partner Division:
Operations Department:
Strategic Communications and News Salary:
National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from 49,600 to 66,100 and London from 54,500 to 72,500 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
This role is graded as:
Lead Associate - Corporate Your external recruitment contact is Raimonda via raimonda.stankute.ukYour internal recruitment contact is Lauren via Lauren.

McHale.uk Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via social media or email will not be accepted.

About the FCA and team We regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you’ll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth and shaping the future of UK finance services. The Strategic Communications and News Department sits at the heart of the FCA's Communications Division, setting strategic direction and ensuring the FCA's external communications are clear, concise and compelling.

The department comprises three specialist teams:
Strategic Communication Partners, Editorial and Speech writing and Social Media.

The Strategic Communication Partner team is organised into six specialist teams aligned to areas across the FCA. These teams develop and deliver communications strategies that help explain the FCA's work, support organisational priorities and engage the media and other external stakeholders.

This role is responsible for overseeing two of these teams. You will oversee the development and delivery of strategic communications activity, advise senior leaders on complex and sensitive issues and play a key role in protecting and enhancing the FCA’s reputation.

Role responsibilities

Lead, coach and support 5 communications professionals across two Strategic Communication Partner teams while building a collaborative, results-driven culture

Reviewing work to ensure it is delivered to a high standard

Leading the development and delivery of a communication campaign to support one of our four strategic priorities

Taking charge of the most complex and demanding announcements as needed, creating communication plans and materials to a high standard, including press releases, social media posts, internal messages and stakeholder emails, while partnering with communications teams to deliver results

Proactively bringing our stories to life through traditional media, social media or other channels

Acting as a trusted strategic communications adviser to Executive Directors and senior leaders, providing advice on high-profile, politically sensitive and reputationally significant issues

Developing and maintaining effective relationships with senior communicators across Whitehall, Parliament, consumer groups, trade associations and the media

Ensuring media enquiries are handled effectively and leading on the most sensitive reactive issues, including crisis and issues management

Being part of the out-of-hours rota for media queries

Skills required

Minimum:

Demonstrated ability to manage proactive and reactive media relations, including handling media enquiries and responding to sensitive or high-profile issues

Leadership experience, including managing and developing individuals or teams through direct line management and/or matrix management

Essential:

Proven success in developing and delivering communications plans, campaigns or media strategies

Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into clear and compelling messages

Experience overseeing communications activity involving significant reputational, regulatory, political or public-interest considerations

Confidence advising senior leaders…