3 months contract with local authority
Job Purpose:
• The communications team needs an experienced and creative communications officer, having worked in other local government comms teams, ready to hit the ground running and work within a small and agile team to deliver proactive campaigns and manage reactive media.
• Must be a good writer and thrive in a political environment.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
1. Communication Strategy:
• Support the development and delivery of the council’s Communication Strategy.
• Develop and deliver key organisational messages and campaigns for external and internal audiences, embedding digital communications in everything we do.
2. Corporate Identity:
• Ensure the use of the council’s corporate identity and correct use by all council staff and partners.
3. Campaign Support:
• Offer support to all services in the council to ensure excellent standards for all campaigns and communications.
• Translate complex messages into readable and engaging copy, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
4. Digital Communication:
• Utilize digital communication, including social media, to engage residents, promote stories, and raise the profile of Thurrock.
5. Media Management:
• Support the delivery of a high standard, comprehensive, and integrated media management service.
• Efficiently distribute council media releases and, where appropriate, organize press conferences and briefings.
6. Research and Audience Focus:
• Use research and knowledge about resident profiles and needs to focus messages and information for differing audiences using a range of channels.
7. Standards and Evaluation:
• Support the development and maintenance of standards, procedures, protocols, performance indicators, and ways of evaluating and measuring communications, marketing activity, and media liaison.
8. Income Generation:
• Support potential income generation, including sponsorship for council campaigns and events, promotion and coordination of filming locations, and identifying new opportunities.
9. Updates and Developments:
• Keep up to date with changes and developments affecting the council and its communications.
10. Crisis Communication:
• Support the team in crisis/emergency and high-profile communications.
• Some evening and weekend working may be required.
11. Managerial Support:
• Deputise for Managers as needed.
Skills/Experience:
• Ability to plan, deliver, and evaluate marketing and communication plans and activities.
• Proven project management and organisational skills.
• Creative flair and ability to translate business needs into high-impact campaigns and communication programs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships across a wide range of contacts.
• Ability to work under pressure, determine priorities, and progress a variety of tasks.
• Team player, able to help deliver team goals.
• Politically astute, sensitive, tactful, and diplomatic.
• Ability to exercise discretion, judgment, and ensure confidentiality when dealing with members and officers at every level.