Head of Marketing, Communications and Engagement

Location

Any FC office (subject to availability in relation to working pattern/blended working arrangements). Travel is required, with occasional overnight stays.

About the job

Job summary

At the Forestry Commission, we are united by a shared vision - to help tackle some of society's biggest challenges through thriving forests, woods and trees. Forest Services, as part of the Forestry Commission, is the Government's expert body for woodland regulation, incentives and advice in England. We support the forestry sector and landowners to protect, improve and expand the country's valuable woodland assets - delivering benefits for biodiversity, climate, people and the rural economy.

We are now seeking an outstanding individual to join our team as Head of Marketing, Communications and Engagement. If you are passionate about the role of trees, woods and forestry in creating a better future for England and want to play a key part in realising that we want to hear from you.

Job description

To lead the strategic development and delivery of marketing, communications and engagement (MC&E) activity required to: (a) drive woodland creation and woodland management amongst existing and new customers in the land management sector; (b) strategically boost our internal engagement; and (c) raise awareness of our work across all key audiences.

You will:

• Oversee the development and delivery of marketing, communications and engagement strategies and implementation plans, both nationally and regionally, internally and externally, in line with agreed timelines and outcomes.
• Take strategic ownership of, and provide direction for, three core sub-teams within MC&E: (1) marketing, communications and stakeholders; (2) internal engagement; and (3) content and digital. Activity includes email marketing; content creation; social media; web management; promotional campaigns; system development; stakeholder engagement; internal communications; guidance development; regional promotional activity; operational communications and announcements.
• Oversee activity across all channels, ensuring consistent, on-brand and impactful messaging that aligns with organisational objectives, and minimising reputational risk
• Lead the Promotion & Engagement project under the Nature for Climate Fund (NCF) programme, overseeing landowner engagement activity across Forest Services and leading on all programme management tasks required under NCF, including risk management and securing funding. Engagement activity includes provision of technical site-specific advice; lead generation and conversion activity; programme of wide range of events, webinars and workshops; key account management; stakeholder collaboration.
• Lead and motivate a core team of 13 staff in national team, and provide direction as 'head of profession' for 18 staff embedded in regional teams. Line manage 3 direct reports, and matrix manage 4 reports within regional teams.
• Ensure the continued alignment of the team's work within the wider organisation and core Defra, to achieve efficient team processes and ways of working, and coherent communication to customers and staff. Also ensure communications alignment within the broader Defra Group.
• Champion MC&E within Forest Services, ensuring the function provides a professional service to the business and delivers against organisational objectives.
• Establish and maintain constructive working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Direct efforts to develop and enhance performance monitoring and audience insight to enhance evidence-based continual improvement.
• Act as MC&E head of profession for Forest Services, steering overall direction of the function and directing activity of all members of the team.
• Manage the team budget to ensure effective resource allocation.
• Provide trusted advice to the executive team on strategic or sensitive communications matters.
• Lead crisis communication efforts as part of the incident management team.
• Play an active role as a senior leader within the wider Strategy and Transformation team and across the organisation, undertaking broader activities and corporate responsibilities as required.

Person specification

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering marketing, communications and engagement strategies - both externally and internally
• Demonstrable experience of successfully influencing behaviour change amongst target audiences
• Excellent leadership skills, with experience of leading diverse and cross-functional teams to succeed in the face of competing priorities and through periods of change
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience of delivering highly sensitive or strategic communications activity, and an understanding of the power of storytelling
• Demonstrable experience of building productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, particularly when there are conflicting priorities
• Excellent project management skills, with a thorough understanding of risk management
• Proven ability to deliver at pace, and a track record of securing business results
• Hands-on experience of the full marketing mix, including use of CRM systems

Desirable:

• Experience working within the forestry or land management sector
• Experience of working with key target audiences within the sector e.g land managers, farmers, agents.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• A presentation to evaluate the candidate's capability in the strategic development and execution of marketing, communications, and engagement initiatives.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,423, Forestry Commission contributes £16,925 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• A Civil Service pension with with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A range of family friendly benefits.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more.
• 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years' service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
• Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave.
• 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).

We aim to provide a great place to work, whichever location you work from. Blended working forms part of our flexible and inclusive approach to future ways of working. It is an informal arrangement which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from our Forestry Commission workplaces, subject to role requirements, business needs, and regular review. Informal blended working arrangements will be available as agreed with the line manager.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

This is a Fixed Term Appointment until 31/03/2026 with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.

As part of the application process, you will complete the following:

1. A tailored CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A 750 word personal statement - showing how you meet the essential criteria and competencies

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using the CV. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Interview

Candidates will be further assessed on Behaviours at interview. Candidates who are invited to interview will be asked to give a presentation.

Applications will be sifted week commencing 1st September 2025.

Interviews will be held week commencing 8th September 2025.

Please note that these dates are subject to change

Interviews are due to be held via Microsoft Teams.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Forestry Service from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website .

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

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