Strategic Communications Lead

Be part of a statutory public inquiry to keep children safer in the future.

The Strategic Communications Lead will be responsible for a discrete area of work, have a key role in shaping the Inquiry’s communications, and have full accountability for hearing delivery, including advising on external content and opportunities to raise awareness of the Inquiry’s work.

You will need to be a creative thinker who works well in a large team, able to take conceptual ideas and present them accessibly through the most appropriate channels, based on an understanding of audiences. You will also play a key role in responding to enquiries and information requests from the public, working closely with Senior Management, Inquiry teams and witnesses.

The Jay Inquiry is a statutory public inquiry set up under the Inquiries Act 2005 to investigate group-based sexual abuse and exploitation of children in Scotland, examine institutional responses to it, and make recommendations to better protect children. The inquiry is independent of Scottish Ministers and is chaired by Professor Alexis Jay. Candidates are asked to consider whether their career history gives rise to any conflict of interest with the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Inquiry’s day-to-day communications, advising on media handling and developing communication plans to engage the public, witnesses and stakeholders.
• Promote the work of the Inquiry through transparent, authoritative, accurate and accessible content, and identify engagement opportunities.
• Provide communications advice to the Chair, Secretary and Inquiry team, with regard to the Inquiries Act 2005 and the Inquiries (Scotland) Rules 2007.
• Facilitate cross-communications working and support consistency of messaging across outputs.
• Oversee delivery of oral hearings, including audio-visual production, social media and news updates.
• Work with the Investigation and Witness Support Teams to give witnesses a trauma-informed, adaptable experience at hearings.
• Distil key messages into engaging content and manage the website in line with brand guidance.
• Manage competing demands and tight deadlines, and continually improve communication efforts.
• Develop and implement escalation protocols for communication crises.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, media outlets and stakeholders.

Success Profile

Behaviours (Level 4): Changing and improving; Making effective decisions; Communicating and influencing; Working together.

Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrable experience of the Inquiries Act 2005 and the Inquiries (Scotland) Rules 2007.
• Experience working with vulnerable individuals and using trauma-informed approaches.

How to Apply

Apply online with a CV and a supporting statement (max 1,000 words) evidencing the behaviours, experience and technical skills in the Success Profile. Further assessment will be an interview and presentation, scheduled for w/c 14 December 2026.

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available; applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK. Candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and may need higher clearance, including a PVG check.

Working Pattern

Full time (35 hours), hybrid, with at least 40% of the working week in the Inquiry offices in central Edinburgh, and more at times. Fixed-term appointment of 47 months; inquiries typically last 5+ years and the successful candidate is expected to stay for the duration.

Salary

£62,111 – £77,439 per annum.

Closing date: 2 December 2026, 23:59.