The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is currently recruiting a new Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, offering a substantial salary range of £102,000 to £138,000, depending on experience. Remarkably, the top salary surpasses that of Mayor Helen Godwin by nearly £50,000, and the position also includes discounted bus tickets as a benefit.
WECA is looking for a strategic and skilled communicator to “define and amplify the region’s voice.” The ideal candidate will be an accomplished professional with a collaborative approach and a proven ability to navigate political landscapes. According to the job listing, applicants must demonstrate experience leading a high-performing communications team within complex, public-facing, or political organizations.
The role requires expertise in delivering reputation-enhancing campaigns, managing media crises, and handling reputational risks effectively. The high salary level is based on benchmarking against comparable positions within similar organizations. Additionally, successful candidates will enjoy 31 days of paid annual leave, plus bank holidays. The application window closes on August 10.
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Beyond the salary, the new director will benefit from discounted bus travel through WECA’s participation in the First Bus Commuter Club—a scheme that provides employees across partnering organizations with reduced fare tickets. Other participants include local councils, Avon Fire and Rescue Service, and Aardman Animations.
This recruitment follows recent revelations at a combined authority scrutiny panel, where WECA’s CEO Stephen Peacock admitted to breaching internal procurement rules while hiring external consultants to address communications and organizational challenges. Between July 2024 and mid-2025, WECA spent £150,000 on Kevin Slocombe, former head of Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees' office, and £118,200 on Nicki Beardmore, former communications director for Bristol’s Clean Air Zone. Notably, Mr. Slocombe now serves as deputy to Labour Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody.
Established in 2017, WECA comprises Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, and Bath and North East Somerset Council. The authority primarily manages regional transport but is poised to expand its influence significantly under Labour’s “English Devolution” initiatives.