Deputy Head of Communications
Wandsworth Council
Salary: £57,171 - £72,186
Fixed term maternity cover: Until January 2027
Full time: 36 hours
Wandsworth Town Hall/hybrid (attendance required 3 times a week)
Start date: February 2026. Maternity cover. This role will be working for Wandsworth Council only.
Job Referencerandw/TP/17402/8693
Closing Date: 2 November 2025
Objective of role
Wandsworth Council is a dynamic local authority in London, committed to delivering excellent services and making a positive impact on our diverse community. We are looking for a talented communications professional to join our team and help us effectively communicate our initiatives, engage residents, and drive positive change in the borough.
The Communications Team is at the centre of the Council and has a high impact on the services and audiences it serves. It provides strategic leadership on media relations, public relations, event management, community engagement, publications, social media management and monitoring, branding, design and the council’s website. It is also responsible for the operational oversight, delivery and coordination of all communications activity across the wider Council.
About the role
As the Deputy Head of Communications, you will be responsible for leading a team to develop and implement strategic communication and campaign plans to promote Wandsworth Council's projects, policies and services. You will lead on behaviour change campaign efforts, strategic communications planning across the organisation, and proactive PR initiatives to enhance the council's reputation.
You will be required to:
Deputise for the Head of Communications as required, including attending Director’s board meetings, the Leader’s meeting, and leading communications input into corporate programmes of work.
Lead three busy portfolios, delegating appropriately to your team, and advising senior officers and Cabinet Members on key communication approaches and issues.
Lead on cross-council behaviour change communications and campaigns, ensuring they are properly resourced, based on research and insight and will deliver positive outcomes for residents.
Support our work with the London Borough of Culture and campaign to provide access to all groups within our communities.
Directly manage two Senior Communications and Campaign Officers, and lead the wider team with an additional three members of staff including a Storytelling and Case Studies Officer, Communications Co-ordinator and Digital Comms and Campaigns Officer.
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Outstanding writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Experienced in PR, media relations, or communications, preferably within a public sector or government environment. Previous experience as a journalist would be an advantage.
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute successful PR campaigns, including crisis communications management.
Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a results-driven mindset.
Closing Date: 2nd November 2025
Shortlisting Date: w/c 3 November 2025
Interview Date: 12 and 13 November 2025
Test/Presentation: In person presentation and written task
For an informal conversation about this role please contact Sagar Sharma – Head of Communications via sagar.sharma@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk
We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.
We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.
