**Press and Communications Lead – Grooming Gangs Inquiry


Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Salary:	£76,879 to £88,967 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Leeds
Job type:	Temporary
Posting date:	2 Sept 2026
Closing date:	14 Sept 2026

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Summary

The Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs (IIGG or “the Inquiry”) was established under the Inquiries Act 2005 following Recommendation 2 of Baroness Louise Casey’s National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (June 2025). The Inquiry will examine group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, with a mandate to understand what happened, why institutional failings allowed it to continue, and what must change to protect children in the future.

The Inquiry is led by Baroness Anne Longfield CBE as Chair and supported by Panellists Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE. It has full statutory powers to compel evidence and call witnesses across institutional and geographical boundaries.

The Press and Communications Lead provides a unique and challenging opportunity to lead the communications strategy and implementation for a high profile national Public Inquiry.

Your work will have a significant impact on shaping the Inquiry and its external reputation, and your role will be pivotal in building public trust and confidence in the Inquiry’s independence and operational efficiency.

The work will be wide-ranging, from working with national and regional media, to supporting engagement in affected communities through to major national hearings.

You will work closely with the Chair, panel, and senior Inquiry leadership team to ensure the Inquiry’s communications to the public, survivors and families, national and local media, Parliament, and cross‑government partners are transparent, accurate, and empathetic. You will manage media handling sensitively, advise on reputational risk, and co-ordinate closely with external stakeholders in the press and media.

Key Responsibilities

Leading the Inquiry’s end‑to‑end communications strategy - ensuring transparent, accurate, and empathetic messaging to the public, survivors and families, media, Parliament, and cross‑government partners.
Managing high‑profile media handling in a sensitive context, advising on reputational risk, and co-ordinating closely with external stakeholders in the press and media.
Ensuring the Inquiry’s communications build public trust and confidence in its independence and operational efficiency.
Working closely with the Chair and panel and the senior Inquiry team on communications strategies and media interventions.
Operating with considerable autonomy and having a significant impact on the Inquiry’s external reputation.

Line Management

This role requires effective line management of a small team (3-4 team members).

Working Pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working.

Training

The Inquiry will provide staff with training on Safeguarding and Trauma, as well as core corporate responsibilities.

Travel

Inquiry will have offices in London and Leeds. However, regular travel will be required to London for face-to-face meetings/engagements, subject to business needs.

Fixed Term Appointment (FTA)/Loan

This post is being offered on a 12 months’ basis in order to complete a finite piece of work. Please refer to attached Candidate Information Pack.

The Inquiry timeline is 36 months, and the assignment may be extended subject to relevant approvals.

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