The External Relations Manager is a key role in West Midlands Police’s mission of ‘Working in partnership, making communities safer’ and our strategic communications and engagement approach, focused on building trust, satisfaction, and confidence among communities, partners, and our workforce.
Acting as a trusted expert within the Corporate Communications Department and strategic advisor to the Force Executive Team, the postholder leads on the development of accessible, inclusive communications and engagement activity that positively influences outcomes, aligned with force objectives, and deepens our ability to develop policy and strategy with partners and senior stakeholders.
This position provides strategic leadership for external and stakeholder engagement across the force, with the aim of identifying, building and maintaining relations to support the force achieve its strategic priorities.
The postholder will be part of our experienced News and External Relations Team, closely working with the Chief of Staff, to maintain positive relationships with strategic stakeholders, such as across local authorities, bluelight services, the Combined Authority, local and regional politicians and members of Government, faith leaders and community advocates. The role will therefore require that the individual cultivates and owns relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders, proactively maintaining positive engagement and seeking out events and visits as advocacy opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Communications: Develop and execute multi-channel external communications and stakeholder engagement strategies. Evaluate external relations and communications performance;
- Political & Stakeholder Landscape: Deep understanding of local and regional governance, including the mechanics of local authorities, the Combined Authority, bluelight services, and central government. Manage complex stakeholder relationships and build and maintain these as well as influencing and negotiating with senior colleagues and external stakeholders;
- Partnership Working: Identify, build and maintain high-level relationships with diverse external groups, including faith leaders, community advocates, and senior politicians. Identify, plan and execute high-impact visits and public events as advocacy opportunities;
- Executive Advising: Act as a trusted advisor to Executive Teams, Chief Officers, or equivalent senior leadership figures;
- Project Management: Deliver projects to time, budget, brief and manage risk.
About us
West Midlands Police is the second-largest police force in England, serving more than 2.9 million people across Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall. Every day, our people work together to keep our communities safe, protect vulnerable people, prevent crime and bring offenders to justice.
We answer more than 2,000 emergency calls every day and provide policing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether responding to emergencies, supporting victims, investigating crime or working behind the scenes, every role plays a vital part in delivering an outstanding service to the public.
We're proud of the progress we've made in reducing crime, improving emergency response times and increasing arrest rates. These achievements are only possible because of the dedication, professionalism and expertise of our officers, staff and volunteers. As we continue to transform the way we police, we're looking for talented people who are committed to making a real difference.