SEND Engagement and Partnership Manager

Things are changing in SEND for Hertfordshire County Council. We are making SEND everyone's business.

Do you want to make a positive impact and be part of that change? This is an excellent opportunity to join us as a SEND engagement and partnership manager, to make a real difference in SEND.

We are looking for an expert lead in the area of communications & partnership management, to provide strategic advice and direction on SEND engagement and partnership activity to develop current stakeholder management practice.

Starting Salary: £58,085 with the opportunity to progress to £65,017 pa (pro rata for part-time) - Pay increase pending
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Fixed term / secondment until July 2026

What being our SEND Engagement and Partnership Manager involves

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and manage stakeholder engagement strategies to support the delivery of the SEND improvement programme.
• Develop and deliver a programme of engagement initiatives to promote the SEND improvement programme and secure partnerships. E.g. attend our school forums, DSPL meetings, parent/carer forums.
• Work proactively across the business to identify opportunities for brand awareness and enhancement.
• Manage a programme of internal stakeholder activities for staff and the Board to maintain a high level of engagement and awareness of business activities.
• Feed back to the partnership/programme manager/senior leaders any feedback coming from our key stakeholders regarding SEND Improvement

Strategic Communications

Being the SEND Engagement and Partnership Manager, you will collaborate closely with corporate communications colleagues to:

• Develop and manage a marketing and communications strategy to support the delivery of organisational strategy and messaging to key stakeholders. This action is linked to the development of our ACT (accurate, compassionate, timely) Guidance (our SEND Partnership communications strategy) this role would be responsible for ensuring these are followed in our stakeholder comms and engagement.
• Identify media and PR opportunities, supporting the corporate press office to develop and manage positive relationships with relevant media outlets and manage media relations in the event of issues which could impact organisational reputation.
• Develop and implement a digital and social media strategy, ensuring communication mediums remain current and relevant to the audience.
• Oversee the development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic collateral. To include seeking appropriate approval and management of distribution.
• Provide advice to management on new projects and initiatives - and in new geographical areas of operation, to ensure stakeholder engagement and communication plans are considered in business planning activities.
• Manage and develop partnership relationship with comms leads in NHS and other organisations to deliver joint engagement and communication activity.
• Monitor success of comms and feed back to the partnership on this, adapting our approach as required.
• Maximise engagement opportunities and develop these at pace maximising all channels and platforms for engagement - including web and social media

What we are looking for:

As a communications expert, we are looking for you to have experience in:

• proven experience in developing communication and engagement initiatives to drive improvement
• wealth of experience in managing relationships with senior colleagues and stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and a proactive approach. It would be desirable your experience includes the education, health and social care sectors across multiple organisations, including parent/carer representatives
• identifying the right professional solution and approach with appropriate engagement and communication techniques, including developing and implementing a digital and social media strategy to drive improvement
• developing and managing stakeholder engagement strategies, to manage a programme of internal stakeholders activates for staff and the Board to maintain a high level of engagement and awareness of business activities
• developing positive relationships with relevant media outlets, including managing media relations where it could impact organisational reputation

To find out more and to apply, please follow the apply button.

Closing date: 26th May 2024