Police AI - Senior Engagement, Internal Comms & Public Affairs Manager

Job summary

Remote working (anywhere in the UK); however, regular travel will be required.

​​This post is open to applicants who can meet the College’s nationality, UK residency and vetting requirements.​

Police AI is a nationally significant technology and transformation programme in UK policing. Backed by central government investment and positioned at the heart of the police reform agenda, Police AI is the new National Centre for AI in Policing, helping to shape how policing uses data, technology and artificial intelligence to tackle crime, protect the public and modernise frontline operations.

We bring together operational policing, technical expertise, product delivery, assurance and the responsible use of AI to develop and scale capabilities that improve public safety outcomes. Our work helps forces respond more effectively to demand, strengthen investigations, identify risk and harm earlier, and free up frontline time for the activities that matter most to communities.

This is an opportunity to contribute to a programme with national reach and meaningful public service impact, helping to define how AI is developed, governed and adopted across one of the UK’s most important public services. The work is varied and complex, moves at pace, and has the potential to deliver better tools for policing, better outcomes for the public, and stronger foundations for the responsible use of AI.

Police AI is hosted within the College of Policing.

Our mission is: Leadership, Standards, Performance. This guides our work with individuals, forces, and policing partners towards our vision. We exist to support police officers, police staff and volunteers to deliver the best service to the public. Only through high quality leadership, consistent standards and continual performance improvement can everyone in policing reach their full potential. Our mission guides our work with individual, forces and partners towards our vision.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

Due to our status as Public Servants, we are not eligible to participate in the Civil Service transfer process. Therefore, while successful candidates can transfer in on their existing terms and conditions, any subsequent transfer out of the College to the Civil Service cannot be guaranteed on existing terms and conditions, and new starter/modernised terms may apply.

The College embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we comply with the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and apply the minimum selection criteria at sift stage of the recruitment process.

Job description

We are looking for people who are motivated by public service, interested in responsible innovation, and comfortable working collaboratively across organisational, operational and technical boundaries. Joining Police AI means contributing to a supportive, multidisciplinary team that is helping to shape the future of policing and ensure AI is used in ways that are effective, responsible, operationally useful and worthy of public trust.

Police AI is at the forefront of one of the most significant modernisation programmes in policing, helping forces across England and Wales adopt artificial intelligence responsibly, effectively and with public trust at its core. As our Senior Engagement, Internal Communications & Public Affairs Manager, you will lead the way we engage with policing leaders, government stakeholders and our own workforce, ensuring our communications and engagement activity supports the successful delivery of organisational priorities and strengthens our national influence.

We're looking for an experienced communications and engagement professional who can build credible relationships with senior stakeholders, provide trusted advice to leaders and navigate complex, high-profile environments with confidence. You'll bring strong strategic thinking, excellent influencing skills and the ability to turn insight into action, while balancing long-term planning with hands-on delivery. If you're motivated by shaping meaningful change across policing and public services, this is an opportunity to play a key role in a nationally important programme.

Please Note:

1. Application

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

Personal Statement (750 words maximum)

Your personal statement should address your experience to date and the following two elements:

1. Provide an example of a communications or engagement strategy you developed and implemented to support organisational priorities or change. What did you do and what impact did it have?
2. Describe a time when you advised senior leaders on a complex or sensitive issue involving external stakeholders, public affairs, communications or organisational reputation. What advice did you provide and how did it influence the outcome?

Behaviour – Communicating and Influencing (250 words maximum)

You will be required to submit a 250-word statement demonstrating the Behaviour Communicating and Influencing in response to the following:

Describe a situation where you led a strategic stakeholder engagement programme involving senior external stakeholders. What was your role, what approach did you take, and what outcomes were achieved?

Person specification

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Leading strategic engagement with senior leaders and communicators across police forces, to strengthen relationships, trust and adoption of Police AI initiatives.

• Developing and delivering internal communications that keep colleagues informed, engaged and aligned with organisational priorities and change.

• Providing strategic communications, engagement and stakeholder management advice to senior leaders, including briefing support and leadership messaging.

• Leading public affairs activity, monitoring government and parliamentary developments, and ensuring organisational messaging reflects wider policy and reform priorities.

• Identifying and delivering events, speaking opportunities and engagement activity that raise PoliceAI’s profile and influence across policing and government.

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• Significant experience leading stakeholder engagement, communications, public affairs or related activity within complex, publicly accountable environments.

• A proven ability to build credibility and influence with senior leaders, external partners and key stakeholders.

• Strong strategic planning, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, engaging messages.

• Experience using insight and stakeholder feedback to shape engagement approaches, communications plans and organisational decision-making.

• The ability to operate effectively in high-profile, fast-changing environments while balancing competing priorities and organisational objectives.

Please see the attached job description which contains full details of the role.

Behaviours

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

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

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £59,440, College of Policing contributes £17,219 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.