Head of Communications and External Engagement

Do you have a talent for crafting stories that inspire action and build trust?

Are you a strategic communicator ready to lead powerful campaigns that drive awareness, growth, and positive social impact?

Do you thrive at the intersection of creativity, insight, and influence — bringing people together through purposeful communication?

The role

We are looking for a Head of Communications and External Engagement who will play a pivotal role leading our Marketing, Design and Digital Services, as well as leading client relationships, developing strategic communications, creating winning proposals/pitches, and driving ICE’s external profile.

ICE’s mission is to work with individuals, communities, and organisations to co-create a well, confident, and resilient society. As an insight-driven organisation, we use data and behavioural understanding to shape impactful strategies and this role is central to driving that mission forward through awareness raising opportunities and direct impact on revenue growth.

You will be responsible for nurturing trusted client partnerships, developing communications and engagement strategies, responding to client/tender opportunities and amplifying ICE’s brand visibility and impact across key markets.

You will lead external engagement and PR initiatives, working closely with the Engagement Director to shape ICE’s voice, build brand reputation, and position ICE as a trusted leading expert in behaviour‑led transformation, public engagement, and creative communications.

You will work as part of a fast paced, agile, creative organisation. You will be expected to drive and have access to a car. You will also be expected to travel to other ICE offices from time to time.

Salary Range: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum.

Day-to-day responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for key clients, building strong, long‑term relationships grounded in trust and impact.
• Lead client account planning, ensuring strategic alignment and delivery excellence across projects.
• Translate client goals into actionable communications and engagement strategies.
• Facilitate clear, consistent communication between clients and internal teams to ensure seamless collaboration.
• Identify opportunities for account growth, renewal, and innovation, supporting proposals and business development activity.
• Develop and oversee multi‑channel communications campaigns (digital, PR, social, print) that deliver measurable impact.
• Craft and review compelling narratives, campaign messages, press releases, and thought leadership content.
• Support the delivery of sales and promotional campaigns that align with ICE’s growth strategy and brand positioning.
• Lead the creation of winning tenders, bids and proposals.
• Ensure consistent messaging, tone, and creative direction across all outputs.
• Lead campaign evaluation, reporting on performance and insights to drive continuous improvement.
• Lead proactive external engagement to strengthen ICE’s presence within the public sector, health, and creative communications communities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media, partners, and sector influencers to generate positive coverage and brand visibility.
• Develop and implement PR and thought leadership strategies to showcase ICE’s expertise and case studies.
• Identify and lead opportunities for speaking engagements, awards submissions, events, and partnerships that elevate ICE’s profile.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to design and execute brand profile‑raising initiatives and campaigns.
• Support new business efforts through compelling storytelling, pitch materials, and strategic input into sales communications.
• Mentor and develop account managers and communications team, fostering a culture of curiosity, creativity, and care.
• Work collaboratively across creative, digital, insight, and behavioural teams to deliver integrated, insight‑led communications.
• Contribute to internal communications to ensure alignment and engagement across the organisation.
• Actively contribute to ICE’s growth strategy and thought leadership within its markets.

Essential existing skills and experience

• Recognised Marketing Qualification
• Business Development
• Agency background – strong client management skills; Understanding of behaviour change concepts and techniques
• Stakeholder management and business development, with sales/growth outcomes
• Cross‑channel end‑to‑end campaign (planning, creation, delivery, evaluation) PR and outreach strategies
• Bid writing and presentation, generating new sales leads and growth opportunities
• Ability to manage your own work and deliver across multiple projects.
• Excellent attention to detail and time management skills.
• A collaborative mindset and willingness to learn and grow.
• Comfortable with a hybrid working model (a mix of office and home‑based).
• Experience in using Zoom, Microsoft Teams and other digital platforms.
• Understanding of Public Sector Procurement, Public Health and Commissioning models.
• NHS or health marketing experience.

About us

ICE is one of the fastest growing behaviour change organisations in the UK. We bring courage, energy, and ambition to equip & enable more organisations & people to move our world forward. To grow our significance as a leading behaviour change practice. By energising organisations & people to find the clarity, courage, & commitment needed to realise their full purpose & potential.

Our Mission

We are social activists driven to unlock your power, purpose and possibility, we are for people and planet.

We Make Better Happen

We are a purpose‑driven organisation; our ethos and beliefs are important to us. As a team we hold and practice three core character traits and set around those character traits are the behaviours that matter to us as a team for our work together.

Whole Heartedness: Bring passion and energy to our work, our colleagues and ourselves.

Trust: Trust and intent to do the right thing.

Being Curious and Creative: Bringing our ideas to add value to what we do.

“We live by what we believe not by what we see.”

Full training for all roles will be provided along with a programme of continued professional development.

Only those shortlisted will be contacted.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing

Industries

• Health and Human Services