Welcome Letter

Dear Applicant,

SAFE, RESILIENT AND CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

Thank you for your interest in joining our team as Head of Communications & Customer Engagement.  Historically we are one of the safest areas in the country; we are determined to retain our reputation as a low crime area while addressing the challenges of crime that we face, such as county lines.  Although we are a small team we deliver a wide range of statutory duties, including the Police and Crime Plan and we have a large, ambitious programme of work to ensure that the public get the best service they can from policing across Devon, Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly.

We work at a variety of different levels, from instigating very localised interventions with communities and commissioning services for victims of crime, through to undertaking scrutiny of the police and influencing national policy. We are a very busy team and pride ourselves on being innovative, creative and solution focused.

We are a peninsula and islands and, as the largest geographical police force area in England, we have a unique set of challenges. Supporting our communities to be more connected and more resilient is a fundamental part of our approach.  With over 700 miles of coastline, you start to see the challenges of policing a rural, urban and coastal area with some very isolated communities. Devon and Cornwall Police have been on an improvement journey and our office has never been more vital to ensure the police deliver on public expectations.

The Head of Communications & Engagement is a critical role, which provides the strategic lead for public affairs, media relations and campaigns for the OPCC.  Reporting to me as Chief Executive, the post also leads our customer service function and internal communications.  This is a high profile role, working closely with the Police & Crime Commissioner, Devon and Cornwall Police and regional and national stakeholders and media, and driving pro-active engagement with the community.

To be successful in this role you will need to have experience of working at a leadership level in corporate communications with a background in journalism and a track record of building media profile and maximising brand effectiveness.  Ideally you will have some experience of working with and/or for political stakeholders. A strong, professional, resilient leader, your ability to influence, and build outstanding relationships is essential.  Of course, we want someone who can bring superb written communication skills and a facility to maximise the opportunities presented by social media.

With strong journalistic contacts, it’s a great role for someone who has an eye for detail but also the ability to see the bigger picture. If you’re great at communicating, influencing and care about improving the lives of others then this is the job for you.

The OPCC is based within Devon and Cornwall’s Police Headquarters in Exeter, but there is some flexibility for periodic home working depending on business need.

If you want to find out more about our work, then please visit our website www.devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk

So, if you have a genuine interest in making a difference across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and are willing to rise to the challenge then I really want to hear from you. For an informal conversation about the role then please contact Mark at Tile Hill in the first instance, on 07747 181490, or email mark.bearn@tile-hill.co.uk

Kind regards,

Fran Hughes

Chief Executive

Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly