Communications Officer

Description:

We are looking for an experienced communicator to join our small, friendly communications and design team, and contribute to the effective planning and delivery of our communications plan. The role includes leading on high profile campaigns, drafting press releases and responding to media queries, as part of our busy press office, and supporting consultation and community engagement across a wide range of policy areas.

The role also involves leading on internal communications. Our internal communications play a crucial part in ensuring that all colleagues feel connected with each other as one council team, and are engaged with the council’s agenda. Effective internal communications helps to create an environment that promotes staff pride, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion.

We are looking for someone to play an active role as part of the wider team, creating and delivering high impact communications materials across digital and traditional channels that clearly articulate the council’s priorities, key messages and calls to action. We are a communications team which prioritises working in partnership and which is always looking to improve, innovate and develop.

About you

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and have a broad knowledge of current issues affecting local government. An understanding of how councils operate would be a bonus. A proactive, “can do” attitude is a must.

You will be a highly effective communicator, with excellent writing and interpersonal skills helping you source and develop ideas for content, with the ability to translate often complex information into clear messages for all staff and councillors, while maintaining high attention to detail and accuracy.

You will need to be able to work on creative multi-channel communication campaigns across digital and print, including production of social media content, videos and e-newsletter content.

This is a role which involves working across all parts of the council and forging effective working relationships with councillors and officers at all levels of the organisation. You'll also need to understand the complexities and sensitivities of working in a political environment, and be able to appreciate and respond to different perspectives. This is a politically-restricted post.