About us

We are Britain’s national equality regulator and a United Nations accredited ‘A status’ national human rights institution.

We uphold people’s rights without fear or favour. We use the full force of our legal powers to defend people from unfair or unequal treatment and to challenge breaches of the law. We advise on developing laws and provide guidance, training and support to enable compliance.

We bring people together to create change. We work with employers, governments and a wide range of organisations, to promote understanding of equality and human rights and we support them to make improvements in practice.

Our new strategy for 2022-25 gives us a strong platform to show that we will use our powers to protect and promote equality and human rights, and that we have identified the main challenges in society where we can make a difference in our role as a regulator.

Overview of the role and responsibilities

Performing a key leadership role in the Communications Directorate, the Senior Principal Media and Content will be responsible for leading our media relations,  digital communication and internal communication teams.

Working closely with the other members of the Communications Senior Leadership Team you will bring strategic oversight to the delivery of our external communications across all our channels.

Supported by a Head of Media and a Head of Content and Channels, you will work proactively to amplify the voice of the Commission, enhancing our reputation and impact as the equality regulator and globally accredited ‘A’ status National Human Rights Institution. You will work closely with our regulatory function to develop communications as an effective tool to deliver behaviour change. You will also lead a new strategic approach to content development, making our advice and guidance more accessible and increasing its use, and positioning the Commission as a trusted source of data and evidence.

You will:

• Lead the ongoing development of our external profile to amplify and enhance the impact of the Commission’s work.

• Develop and implement a new brand strategy to reflect and support the Commission’s strategic objectives.

• Work proactively with senior managers across the Commission to provide expert advice, and embed communication considerations at the outset of all projects.

• Oversee the delivery of all communication products to ensure quality and timeliness.

• Lead a review and refresh of our digital channel strategy, leveraging opportunities for promotion and engagement to broaden our audience, and increase the use of our advice and guidance. 

• Develop and implement tailored strategies to deliver regulatory outcomes through communication activities. Drawing on evidence-based behaviour change methodologies.

• Provide expert advice on all aspects of the media relations, digital communication and internal communication functions to senior managers across the Commission. 

• Lead and develop direct reports to provide strong leadership for their functions, setting clear goals and expectations, and creating a culture of high performance and excellence.

• Deputise for the Communications Director as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

This is a high profile role within the Commission. You will need to have the confidence of senior managers across the Commission whilst inspiring your teams and supporting them to thrive.

The role requires a breadth and depth of senior leadership experience across multiple communications disciplines. You will need to work proactively to identify new opportunities, and have the resilience to manage diverse and demanding issues at pace.

Essentail Knowledge, Skills and Experience required include

• Demonstrable experience of leading media relations and social media engagement in a complex and high profile organisation.

• Significant experience of leading digital communications and knowledge of best practice in accessible content design.

• High degree of personal credibility with the ability to advise and influence senior colleagues on effective communication strategies and messaging.

• Proven track record of working at a senior level, leading communication teams to plan and deliver impactful, multi-channel communications and engagement campaigns on high profile issues.

• Knowledge of evaluation metrics and best practice in demonstrating the effectiveness of communication products and strategic approaches.

• Ability to prioritise and respond to complex requests, troubleshooting to work at pace and manage multiple competing deadlines.

• Experience of budget and contract management.  

• Knowledge of the stakeholder landscape the Commission operates in both across Great Britain and internationally.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a range of benefits including flexible working patterns, 30 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (full time FTE), access to the Civil Service Pension Scheme and partnership pension schemes, and enhanced parental leave benefits. More information can be found in the candidate pack.

How to apply

If this sounds like the role for you, please review the attached Candidate Pack for more information and submit your application today!

If you have any questions, please contact Moya Alcock, Director of Communications, moya.alcock@equalityhumanrights.com.

Disability Confident Leader

As a Disability Confident Leader, the Equality and Human Rights Commission offers an interview for people with disabilities (as defined by the Equality Act 2010 and The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004) and who meet the minimum criteria for this appointment.

Where high numbers of applications are received, the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria for the role may only be invited to interview. If you wish to apply for consideration under this scheme, please complete the appropriate section on the online application form. This will enable us to make the appropriate arrangements, if necessary.

If you require an alternative accessible version of the application form or wish to discuss your application or reasonable adjustment – please contact us by email at Peoplehelpdesk@equalityhumanrights.com or by telephone on 0161 829 8100

Diversity in our workforce

At the Commission, we are proud of our respectful workplace that values the contribution of all our staff, whatever their background.  We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit. We welcome applications from everyone to ensure we achieve a balanced representation in our workforce in all grades.