AMS PSR

On behalf of DEFRA we are looking for a Head of Communications & Engagement (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract on a hybrid basis at any of the DEFRA locations – York, Bristol, London and Newcastle main offices sites (2-3 days office attendance expectations)

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

Our objectives are:

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (https://www.gov.uk/)

25 Year Environment Plan - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/)

About the role:

The Head of Communications and Engagement provides strategic leadership for communications and stakeholder engagement within a Business Readiness Directorate project area of the high-profile EU Delivery Programme. Operating in a fast-paced and politically sensitive environment, the role is responsible for designing and delivering a thematic communications and engagement strategy aligned to departmental and cross-government priorities.

This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for building and embedding a dedicated engagement and communications team, ensuring alignment with central strategy, and acting as the focal point for coordination across project teams and stakeholders. The role has significant impact across Defra, its delivery partners and wider government, shaping stakeholder confidence and supporting delivery of major programme milestones.

As a Head of Communications & Engagement your main responsibilities will be: 

• Lead the development and delivery of a thematic communications and engagement strategy aligned to Directorate, departmental and cross-government objectives.
• Build, embed and lead a high-performing engagement and communications team within the relevant project area, fostering an inclusive and delivery-focused culture.
• Act as the senior focal point for communications and engagement coordination across project teams, ensuring consistent messaging and alignment with central strategy.
• Lead external-facing engagement within the thematic area, building trusted relationships with key stakeholders and enabling effective two-way communication between stakeholders and policy or project leads.
• Design and oversee production of high-quality communications and engagement products (e.g. briefings, factsheets, stakeholder roundtables, milestone communications).
• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders on communications handling, stakeholder management and reputational risk.
• Lead crisis and reactive communications within the project area, managing sensitive issues and reputational risk in high-profile contexts.
• Analyse complex or incomplete information to inform communications strategy and decision-making under pressure.
• Manage communications budgets and supplier relationships, ensuring value for money and adherence to government procurement and financial controls.
• Ensure compliance with Government Functional Standard GovS 011 and uphold high standards of ethics, propriety and brand governance.
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement, including the use of digital tools and emerging technologies where appropriate.

Essential criteria:

• Significant experience developing and delivering strategic communications and engagement strategies in complex, high-profile or politically sensitive environments.
• Strong leadership capability, with experience building and leading multidisciplinary teams and embedding effective ways of working.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the ability to engage and challenge senior leaders and external partners.
• Proven ability to translate complex or contentious policy issues into clear, credible and persuasive communications.
• Experience leading crisis communications and managing reputational risk.
• Strong decision-making skills, with the ability to analyse complex evidence and operate confidently under pressure.
• Experience managing communications budgets and external suppliers, ensuring value for money and strong governance.
• Demonstrable commitment to inclusive leadership and continuous improvement.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience operating within cross-government programmes or major transformation initiatives.
• Knowledge of behaviour change, public engagement or stakeholder mapping methodologies.
• Experience working with delivery partners such as arm’s length bodies or regulators.
• Familiarity with Government Functional Standards, including GovS 011.
• Experience introducing innovative digital or AI-enabled communications approaches.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following: this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.