Assistant Director for Communication, Insight & Engagement

The Role

This is an exciting and influential opportunity to join Social Work England at a pivotal moment in our development. As the specialist regulator for social workers in England, we are a values‑driven, collaborative and forward‑looking organisation. We set professional standards, promote lifelong learning, and protect the public by ensuring high‑quality social work practice. Our work is grounded in transparency, inclusion and a commitment to improving outcomes for people and communities.

As our new Assistant Director for Communication, Engagement & Insight, you’ll help shape the future direction of a national regulator, strengthening our voice, expanding our influence, and ensuring our work has meaningful impact across the profession. If you are a strategic leader who thrives in high‑profile, purpose‑led environments, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

This senior leadership role leads our organisation‑wide approach to communication, engagement, insight and strategic influence. You'll drive how we communicate, how we listen, and how we understand the social work profession, ensuring our regulatory ambitions translate into genuine impact.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing visible, strategic leadership across communication, engagement, data and insight functions.
• Shaping our external position on social work regulation and aligning organisational messaging with national priorities.
• Leading high‑quality communication strategies across internal and external channels, including public, media and digital engagement.
• Driving strategic developments in data collection, analysis and insight, improving our understanding of the profession.
• Leading authoritative publications on regulatory findings and sector impact.
• Building strong relationships with government departments, regulators and other national stakeholders.
• Acting as a senior decision‑maker, deputising for executive directors and advising on corporate, regulatory and reputational risk.
• Championing coproduction, equality, diversity and inclusion across all aspects of our communication and engagement activity.

 

 

About You

At Social Work England, our values are at the heart of everything we do. We are fearless, independent, ambitious, collaborative, transparent and act with integrity. We’re looking for someone who can embody these values, inspire others, and contribute to our ambition to be an innovative, transparent and responsive regulator that makes a real difference to people’s lives.

For this role we’re looking for an influential, strategic leader who brings credibility, confidence and exceptional communication expertise to a complex, high‑profile environment.

You will bring:

• Extensive senior‑level experience in communication, engagement or public affairs.
• Strong leadership capability, with experience delivering results through others in complex, multi‑disciplinary settings.
• High‑level influencing, interpersonal and representational skills, with credibility among senior stakeholders.
• Experience shaping strategy and translating long‑term plans into operational delivery.
• Political awareness and the ability to anticipate and interpret policy and sector developments.
• Expertise in analysing complex evidence, insight or data to inform strategic decisions.
• Proven ability to build partnerships with government, national bodies and organisations of strategic importance.
• A clear and demonstrable commitment to diversity, inclusion and coproduction.

The Benefits

In addition to your salary, we also offer:

• Hybrid working, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.
• 25 days annual leave, rising with service to 30 days per annum, plus bank holidays.
• The option to purchase up to an additional 5 days of annual leave per annum.
• A TIDE award winning inclusive culture, made up of staff networks, social events and forums.
• A pension scheme, with minimum employer contributions of 6% up to a maximum of 10%.
• Life insurance up to 4 times your salary, an employee recognition scheme and a cycle to work scheme.