Head of Communications

Public and Commercial Services Union

Salary
£63,279 - £72,098 per year

About the Organisation

Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) is the UK's largest civil service trade union, representing workers in the civil service and government agencies, as well as those in privatized sectors related to government work. PCS is a democratic, member-run union that campaigns for members' interests, focusing on fair pay, decent working conditions, job security, and equality. They provide legal advice and support to members, advocate for public services, and engage in campaigns on a range of national and international issues.  

About the role

The communications specialists in the PCS campaigns and communications team are dedicated to delivering the most up-to-date services for our members. We are looking for a Head of Communications to lead the team, using up-to-date tech, design systems, and social media engagement to provide the best communications at all times for a diverse audience.

Responsibilities

Key Areas:

• Lead on, develop, and implement internal and external communication strategies that align with the union's overall goals
• Create and oversee communication materials, such as the creation of promotional and informative materials, digital campaigns, print materials, social media, audio, and video
• Conduct quality controls on all communications, ensuring that all union communications and materials have consistent and positive messaging and branding
• Responding to crises or challenging situations quickly and professionally
• Contribute to the strategic development of the Union's policy objectives, including the PCS planning process
• Provide support and have direct involvement through the National Management Team (NMT) in the unions' bargaining, organising, campaigning, equality, learning, and digital agendas
• Manage people and resources in the communications team
• Represent PCS at external meetings
• Provide advice to and lead relevant committees, including the preparation and presentation of reports
• Monitor and report on issues and initiatives as requested
• Provide input into budgetary processes, including bid preparation, monitoring, and control, where relevant

People Management:

• Manage work allocation and workflow, future planning, and support for the officer team/line manager
• Motivate and manage individuals and the team as a whole to provide a high standard of service
• Check work standards and maintain consistent quality of delegated tasks
• Seek to continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the team
• Through induction, the appraisal system, and one-to-ones, identify staff training and development needs, train or organise formal/informal training
• Proactively promote diversity in line with the wider PCS approach
• Apply the staff conduct policies as and when required, discipline, grievance, capability, dignity at work, and IT security policies
• Provide advice and deal with complex issues related to staff management, including disciplinary or grievance, in consultation with the line manager
• Ensure that the health, safety, and welfare of staff are maintained and improved, in accordance with PCS and statutory policies
• Work effectively with lay officials
• Deputise for the line manager when required

Communication:

• Ensure digitalisation, information, and communications methods are effectively implemented and used to generate improvements
• Draft complex communications, including briefs and reports to staff and members
• Communicate with members by producing circulars and briefings, and by addressing meetings and conferences when required
• As necessary, represent PCS and liaise with outside bodies

Team Working:

• Proactively promote teamwork and collaboration across the organisation
• Initiate, organise, lead, and participate in team meetings as appropriate
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality of sensitive issues at all times
• Provide assistance to team members

Equality:

• Contribute to PCS policies on equal opportunities by developing innovative workplace strategies to tackle inequality and discrimination

General:

• Participate and input information into the PCS planning and budgeting processes
• At all times, implement and promote the PCS's equal opportunities policy and adhere to the PCS Values
• Take due and reasonable care of oneself and others in respect of health and safety at work
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development systems
• Act in a manner that enhances the work of the PCS and its overall public image
• In all work activities, comply with data protection legislation and PCSs requirements for the protection of personal information and the privacy of individuals
• Staff at this grade may be assigned or transferred to posts within the grade. A training & development programme will be provided to assist with this, where required
• Such other duties that may reasonably be required and that are within the level of responsibility of this post
• Willing to work outside normal office hours and location on occasion (attendance at Annual Delegate Conference, where required)

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Experience:

• 5 years of experience in the communications field within a complex membership organisation
• People management, including induction, work allocation, appraisal, and conduct
• Leading committees and teams
• High-level project management, problem-solving solving and decision-making
• Responding to crises and challenging situations

Training Including Continuous Professional Development:

• Evidence of ongoing training and continuing professional development
• Commitment to undertake job-related training
• Commitment to participation in the appraisal and development review process
• Commitment to staff development

Knowledge:

• Understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions
• Budget monitoring and control processes
• Employment rights, equality legislation, discrimination law, and working practices, in a communications context
• Impact and use of Digital and IT applications in a trade union
• Methods and techniques for bargaining, campaigning, and organising

Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively using written and oral channels, including reports and presentations, with a variety of audiences
• Ability to negotiate and form effective working relationships internally and externally
• Ability to identify and set standards and priorities
• Ability to provide strategic and policy implementation advice and guidance
• High standard of organisational ability

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, English or a related field or equivalent demonstrable experience

Compensation & Benefits

• 32 days leave and Christmas closure pension scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Childcare and family support
• Generous maternity/paternity leave

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• Apply online

Interviews

• Interviews will be held via Zoom: Tuesday, 4th November 2025

Policies

PCS is working towards equal opportunities and is positive about disabled people.

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