Communications Lead

Communications Lead (Delivery Support)

Location: Mostly Remote (Telford 2 days per month onsite)
Duration: 6 months
Rate: Up to £445/day inside IR35
Clearance: Active SC Clearance required

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Communications Lead to provide strategic leadership and delivery support across a large-scale transformation programme.

You will lead the development and execution of a high-impact communications strategy, ensuring communications are user-centred, insight-driven, and aligned to programme outcomes. This role involves close collaboration with senior stakeholders, delivery teams, and partners to drive consistency, quality, and measurable impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy, Planning & Governance

• Translate organisational communications strategy into clear, deliverable roadmaps
• Establish governance frameworks (planning cycles, approvals, editorial boards, compliance)
• Align communications activity with programme milestones and delivery plans

Capability Uplift & Best Practice

• Lead communications capability improvement initiatives (training, toolkits, coaching)
• Define and embed standards for content, accessibility, and audience engagement
• Coach senior stakeholders on effective communication and messaging

Audience Insight, Content & Channels

• Use audience insight to shape communications strategies and outputs
• Oversee creation of high-quality content across multiple formats and channels
• Optimise internal and external communication channels for reach and effectiveness

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with senior leaders and programme stakeholders
• Provide constructive challenge and influence decision-making
• Ensure alignment across delivery teams, suppliers, and partners

Risk, Assurance & Measurement

• Manage communications risks and mitigation plans
• Define KPIs and evaluate effectiveness of communications activity
• Support audit and assurance processes

Change & Delivery Support

• Align communications with business change and readiness activities
• Support major releases, go-lives, and key programme events
• Plan and deliver large-scale engagement events and briefings

Leadership & Operations

• Lead and mentor communications professionals (where applicable)
• Support operating model development, resourcing, and continuous improvement

Key Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Significant experience in communications leadership within complex, large-scale programmes
• Strong background in government or highly regulated environments
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate at pace
• Experience delivering communications strategies across multiple workstreams
• Excellent writing, editing, and content development skills
• Strong understanding of audience insight, planning, and evaluation frameworks
• Experience working in Agile or hybrid delivery environments

Additional Information

• Additional vetting required - onboarding timelines may be extended

If this matches your background and experience, please apply today!