Available to hire
Hi, I’m Jonathan Byrne, a senior communications and engagement professional with over 20 years’ experience leading complex functions in local government, housing, charity, and sport. I specialise in crisis communications, internal engagement, and reputation management in highly regulated, customer-facing environments. I’m known for calm, assured leadership under pressure and for guiding organisations through disruption, large-scale change and cultural transformation. I bring proven expertise in shaping strategy, supporting executive leaders, and telling stories that connect colleagues, customers and communities.
I thrive on turning strategy into clear, compelling delivery across teams and stakeholders. My track record spans crisis response, digital transformation, stakeholder engagement and culture change, delivering measurable outcomes and sustainable improvements in service and reputation.
Experience Level
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Head of Communications & Engagement at City of York Council
January 1, 2024 - PresentOrganisation’s senior comms lead, advising the Chief Executive, Directors and elected members. Manage a team of 15 across internal comms, media, campaigns, and engagement. Designed and implemented council-wide comms, engagement and crisis protocols. Supported executive leaders with speeches, town halls, and media appearances. Acted as lead on emergency preparedness, resilience, and reputation management.
PR & Communications Manager at Lincolnshire Housing Partnership
January 1, 2024 - October 1, 2025Led all PR & comms for a 12,500-home housing provider (400 staff, 33,000 customers). Directed a team of five and managed intranet, digital comms, and press office. Managed merger comms, crisis scenarios (flooding, tenant complaints, FOIs) and stakeholder engagement with MPs and ministers. Drove internal culture change, engagement campaigns and strategic brand expansion.
Communications Manager at St Andrew’s Hospice
January 1, 2019 - October 1, 2025Senior comms role, managing internal comms, branding, media, and stakeholder relations. Created the hospice’s first comms strategy and implemented digital channels. Crisis comms lead during high-profile visits and sensitive incidents.
Fundraising, Events, Marketing & Comms Manager at YMCA Humber
January 1, 2017 - October 1, 2025Oversaw comms, fundraising and engagement for a regional charity. Managed media relations, brand, digital comms and crisis response. Led Sleep Easy campaign (£200k raised) and secured six-figure donations.
Head of Communications & Engagement at City of York Council
January 1, 2024 - PresentOrganisation’s senior comms lead, advising the Chief Executive, Directors and elected members. Managed a team of 15 across internal comms, media, campaigns, and engagement. Designed and implemented council-wide comms, engagement and crisis protocols. Supported executive leaders with speeches, town halls, and media appearances. Acted as lead on emergency preparedness, resilience, and reputation management.
PR & Communications Manager at Lincolnshire Housing Partnership
January 1, 2024 - October 1, 2025Led all PR & comms for a 12,500-home housing provider (400 staff, 33,000 customers). Directed a team of five and managed intranet, digital comms, and press office. Managed merger comms, crisis scenarios (flooding, tenant complaints, FOIs) and stakeholder engagement with MPs and ministers. Drove internal culture change, engagement campaigns and strategic brand expansion.
Communications Manager at St Andrew’s Hospice
January 1, 2019 - October 1, 2025Senior comms role, managing internal comms, branding, media, and stakeholder relations. Created the hospice’s first comms strategy and implemented digital channels. Crisis comms lead during high-profile visits and sensitive incidents.
Fundraising, Events, Marketing & Comms Manager at YMCA Humber
January 1, 2017 - October 1, 2025Oversaw comms, fundraising and engagement for a regional charity. Managed media relations, brand, digital comms and crisis response. Led Sleep Easy campaign (£200k raised) and secured six-figure donations.
Head of Communications & Engagement at City of York Council
January 1, 2024 - PresentOrganisation’s senior comms lead, advising the Chief Executive, Directors and elected members. Manage a team of 15 across internal comms, media, campaigns, and engagement. Designed and implemented council-wide comms, engagement and crisis protocols. Supported executive leaders with speeches, town halls, and media appearances. Acted as lead on emergency preparedness, resilience, and reputation management.
PR & Communications Manager at Lincolnshire Housing Partnership
December 31, 2024 - October 1, 2025Led all PR & comms for a 12,500-home housing provider (400 staff, 33,000 customers). Directed a team of five and managed intranet, digital comms, and press office. Managed merger comms, crisis scenarios (flooding, tenant complaints, FOIs) and stakeholder engagement with MPs and ministers. Drove internal culture change, engagement campaigns and strategic brand expansion.
Communications Manager at St Andrew’s Hospice
December 31, 2019 - October 1, 2025Senior comms role, managing internal comms, branding, media, and stakeholder relations. Created the hospice’s first comms strategy and implemented digital channels. Crisis comms lead during high-profile visits and sensitive incidents.
Fundraising, Events, Marketing & Comms Manager at YMCA Humber
December 31, 2017 - October 1, 2025Oversaw comms, fundraising and engagement for a regional charity. Managed media relations, brand, digital comms and crisis response. Led Sleep Easy campaign (£200k raised) and secured six- figure donations.
Education
CMI Level 5 Diploma in Business Management & Leadership at University of Huddersfield
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025Level 3 Education & Training at Hull College
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025NVQ Level 4 Journalism at East Coast Media Centre
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025BA (Hons) Journalism at University of Lincolnshire
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025CMI Level 5 Diploma in Business Management & Leadership at University of Huddersfield
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025Level 3 Education & Training at Hull College
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025NVQ Level 4 Journalism at East Coast Media Centre
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025BA (Hons) Journalism at University of Lincolnshire
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025CMI Level 5 Diploma in Business Management & Leadership at University of Huddersfield
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025Level 3 Education & Training at Hull College
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025NVQ Level 4 Journalism at East Coast Media Centre
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025BA (Hons) Journalism at University of Lincolnshire
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025Qualifications
CMI Level 5 Diploma in Business Management & Leadership
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025Level 3 Education & Training
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025NVQ Level 4 Journalism
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025BA (Hons) Journalism
January 11, 2030 - October 1, 2025Industry Experience
Government, Non-Profit Organization, Media & Entertainment, Healthcare, Professional Services, Education
Experience Level
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