Head of Communications and Engagement

The Head of Communications and Engagement will lead the development and delivery of the organisation's communications and engagement strategy, ensuring the delivery of high-quality communications, campaigns and stakeholder engagement activity that effectively reaches, influences and maintains the confidence of priority audiences.

Reporting to the Director of Corporate Operations, the role will translate strategy into delivery, leading a team to plan, execute and evaluate integrated communications and engagement programmes across multiple channels.

Delivery of Communications & Engagement

• Lead the development and implementation of the organisation's communications and engagement strategy, translating organisational priorities into integrated communications and engagement plans.
• Deliver high-impact campaigns, stakeholder engagement activity and public-facing communications.
• Ensure consistent, clear and compelling messaging across all channels, including internally among staff.

Stakeholder & Audience Engagement

• Build and manage relationships with key stakeholders, industry groups, partners and influencers.
• Act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders on communications and engagement matters, shaping organisational messaging and supporting external engagement activities, including speeches, events and stakeholder meetings
• Identify and engage priority audiences through insight-led approaches.

Content, Campaigns & Channels

• Oversee the development of high-quality content, including speeches, briefings and digital communications.
• Drive a digital-first approach to engagement, working closely with digital and media teams.
• Lead the organisation's media relations and reputation management activity, ensuring a proactive and coordinated approach to external communications.
• Manage external events, speaking opportunities and stakeholder forums.

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead and develop a team of communications and engagement professionals (approx. 5 staff).
• Allocate resources effectively to deliver against priorities at pace.
• Coach and support team members to build capability and maintain high standards.

Insight, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Use data, insight and feedback to inform communications activity and improve effectiveness.
• Monitor stakeholder sentiment and flag emerging risks or issues.
• Evaluate campaign and engagement impact against agreed objectives.

Operational & Cross-Organisational Working

• Work closely with policy, operations, and other teams to ensure joined-up delivery.
• Contribute to wider communications planning and prioritisation.
• Lead crisis communications and reputation management activity, providing strategic advice and coordinating organisational responses where required.

Additional responsibilities

• As a senior leader, make a significant and visible contribution to promoting and upholding IAA values and behaviours.
• Play an active role in the senior leadership of the IAA, contributing beyond the immediate remit of the role where needed.
• Provide line management to at least three direct reports.
• Provide recommendations on communications and engagement activity to inform investment decisions, ensuring value for money and the effective use of public resources
• Undertake any other work reasonably required by the Director of Service Corporate Operations, Chief Executive or Commissioner.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV and completed application form (available for download at the bottom of the advert) to recruitment@immigrationadviceauthority.gov.uk by midnight on November 19th 2026.

If you have any issues please contact Recruitment@immigrationadviceauthority.gov.uk

As you apply you will be invited to complete an Equality and Diversity Questionnaire. This is to assist the IAA in ensuring its recruitment processes are fair to all. The questionnaire is not seen by anyone involved in the selection process. Completing the questionnaire is not mandatory, if you do choose to complete please send your completed for too Please send to Astrid.Murray@immigrationadviceauthority.gov.uk

Due to the expected volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual status

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.