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Northumbria Police

Media & Communications Adviser

On site

Newcastle upon tyne, United kingdom

£ 41,028 /year

Freelance

25-02-2026

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Skills

Communication Agile

Job Specifications

Salary: Band 8, £36,066 – £41,028 (Please note it is Northumbria Police policy to appoint at the beginning of the band)

Location: Agile, Middle Engine Lane (Expected to move to Cobalt Business Park Summer 2027) and homeworking

Hours/Contract: 37 hours per week, 12 Months Secondment/FTC (Maternity Cover)

The role

Here at Northumbria Police, we think our region is amazing! It takes a great deal of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area effectively. Think you have what it takes to help us make a difference? This could be the perfect time for you to join us in our Communications and Engagement Department as a Media and Communications Adviser.

Providing a communications service to one of the largest police forces in the country, you’ll relish the opportunity to work in a fast-paced and diverse environment.

You’ll enhance the trust and confidence in Northumbria Police, by producing high quality content across a range of platforms.

One day, you could be joining officers as they tackle crime – and the next you could be supporting a victim tell their story.

From supporting a high-profile investigation to showcasing the amazing work of our officers, staff and volunteers – you’ll be on the front line of delivering communications which make a real difference to the fantastic communities we are privileged to serve.

If you think you have what it takes to help us make that difference, we want to hear from you.

What you’ll do

We are looking for a truly proactive multimedia adviser. You will have the confidence to advise and influence senior officers about the best course of action when dealing with communications activities. Working as part of a team and using your own initiative, you will:

Offer advice and support the delivery of proactive and reactive communications, ensuring policing matters are effectively communicated in an accurate and timely manner.
Develop, design, plan and monitor this content as part of communications activity to drive engagement.
Build strong internal relationships to generate a range of positive creative content for our channels and external media organisations. You will also establish strong relationships with external stakeholders.
Effectively handle media enquiries from local, regional and national outlets to maintain and enhance public confidence.
Organise and run media interviews, press conferences/briefings and co-ordinate the media on operational activities.
Lead, create and implement communications plans and tactics for serious crime investigations and major/critical incidents. Advising and influencing senior leaders over the best course of action to take and developing key messaging.

Sound interesting? For further information, and to support your application, please view the job description.

What you’ll bring

Previous experience of delivering communication activity and plans, able to create creative and engaging content for a range of channels including digital.
You’ll have an understanding and working knowledge of media law and platforms of external engagement, social networks and the ability to create materials for each.
Excellent communication skills – written, oral, presentational and interpersonal. Ensuring that all communications are clear and concise.
Excellent computer literacy and IT skills and the ability to learn new IT systems.
Resilient and able to remain calm while under pressure and working in a fast-paced environment.
You will be able to work as part of a team as well as on your own, prioritising your workload when required.
A proactive, flexible and collaborative approach, able to work independently and as part of a team, share ideas, self‑learn new platforms and tools, respond positively to challenging situations, participating in on‑call out‑of‑hours/weekend rota.
Commitment to professionalism and inclusion, demonstrating resilience, an understanding of diversity, equality and inclusion, and the ability to travel across the Force area as required to fulfil the needs of the role.

Interested to learn more? For further information about the role please contact Stephen Stray, Media & Communications Manager by email at stephen.stray@northumbria.police.uk or Chris Knight, Senior Media Adviser by email at Chris.Knight@northumbria.police.uk.

We know it’s important for you to feel that you’re not only part of a great team, but part of a community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.

What we offer

26 days’ leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays
NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme
Enhance

About the Company

This is the official LinkedIn page for Northumbria Police. Our purpose at Northumbria Police is simple: to keep people safe and to fight crime. But it takes more than officers alone to do the job – and that’s where our 2,000 strong team of police staff come in. As one of England's largest police forces, we offer a wide range of departments and specialisms with endless opportunities. Our support includes mentoring, coaching, online soft skills courses, and leadership programmes to help you achieve your career goals. We value... Know more