Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs
West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
Salary: Commensurate with experience in range £102,000 to £138,000
Location: Bristol
Closing date: Sunday 10 August
Shape the voice of a region. Influence national policy. Build public trust.
This is a rare and high-impact opportunity to lead strategic communications for a public body driving the future of one of England’s most diverse and dynamic regions. As the Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, you will define and amplify the region’s voice - translating the Mayor’s vision into bold, inclusive and nationally resonant communications.
Reporting into the Chief Executive, you will shape and deliver an integrated communications strategy across media, public affairs and digital channels. A key priority is to lead the development of the communications team to optimise impact, ensure that the communications function supports and reinforces the policy and delivery priorities of the organisation in line with the Mayor’s ambition.
What You’ll Do
Craft the Narrative: Shape a compelling story for the West of England that reflects the Mayor’s voice and resonates with diverse communities.
Lead Strategically: Align communications with corporate priorities using cutting-edge digital and traditional channels and drive impact across marketing, media and public affairs.
Advise with Influence: Act as a trusted advisor to the Mayor, Chief Executive and senior leaders on reputation, media strategy and high-stakes issues.
Build Trust: Foster collaboration across political and organisational boundaries, influencing nationally while strengthening regional identity.
Drive Impact: Raise the profile of the organisation and the region with key stakeholders including central government and regional partners, instilling message discipline to ensure that influencers and decision makers better understand the opportunities and needs of the West of England and regard the Combined Authority as a trusted partner.
Who You Are
You will be a visionary and collaborative communicator with a strategic mindset and proven political acumen. Your experience of leading a high-performing communications function in a complex public-facing or political organisation will be critical to our success.
As this role comes with genuine breadth and depth, we need a leader capable of both successful delivery of reputation-shaping campaigns and of effectively handling media crises and managing reputational risk.
For more information or how to apply please contact our retained consultants Andrew Timlin - 07887 777735 or Simon Winspear - 07525 466 357. To arrange a time to speak to the Chief Executive of WECA about the role, please email Stephen.peacock@westofengland-ca.gov.uk
We are committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We ensure all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or citizenship status. We are also proud to have been accredited as a Living Wage Employer and a founding Member of the West of England Good Employment Charter.
