Job Description
* Suffolk County Council – Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX - Hybrid
* £39,513 per annum (pro rata for part-time)
* 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available
* Fixed-term or secondment for 2 years (project)
A great opportunity to join the Suffolk County Council's Communications and Public Affairs team as a Senior Communications Officer.
At a time of significant change in local government in Suffolk, we seek a truly exceptional individual — politically astute, capable of juggling multiple demands, and an experienced communicator. Does that describe you? If so, you might be the person we are looking for.
Your role
As a Senior Communications Officer, you will have proven experience in developing and delivering high-profile communications campaigns. Collaborating with other communications professionals, politicians, and service experts, you will have expertise in protecting and enhancing reputation—working with the media and communicating effectively with council colleagues.
Our team is rapidly becoming a centre of excellence for delivering campaigns and utilizing behavioural insights. We aim to make a real impact by fostering creativity and turbo-charging communications and campaigns.
You will need
* To be educated to degree level or equivalent, or possess significant professional experience in a communications and campaigns environment
* Ability and experience in devising and implementing creative, audience-focused multidisciplinary communications projects and campaigns
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentations, reports, publicity, digital, and marketing materials
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, we encourage you to apply. We welcome the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
Suffolk County Council’s communications team supports the council in delivering its priorities. We provide technical insight and expertise to develop and deliver campaigns that use behavioural insights to drive positive change, shape and share information with residents, and protect and enhance the council’s reputation.
We prioritize understanding our audiences to deliver effective communications. You may be involved in messaging about the government’s Local Government Reorganisation, infrastructure projects, or stakeholder surveys. You will have opportunities to learn, develop, and thrive in a supportive, creative environment where everyone’s skills and experiences are valued.
Empowering Everyone
We believe in potential, possibility, and the power of diverse ideas. We continually seek ways to encourage, respect, and enable everyone to excel. We aim to reflect the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially from groups underrepresented in our organization, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report (suffolk.gov.uk).
For more information
Please contact Andrew St Ledger for an informal discussion. Reach him at 07779322630 or email andrew.stledger@suffolk.gov.uk. If applying for a secondment, review the secondment policy and obtain your current manager’s permission before applying.
How To Apply
1. Read the Job and Person Profile (docx).
2. Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
3. Upload a supporting statement answering the questions below (no more than 400 words per question) using the Supporting Statement template.
4. Upload a CV (without name and personal details).
Questions:
* Describe a time when you led a high-profile communications campaign. What strategies did you use to ensure its success?
* Describe a crisis communication situation you handled. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?
* How do you stay updated with industry trends and incorporate new ideas into your work?
Note: Applications without a supporting statement and CV will not be considered. All documents should be in PDF or MS Word format. We value authentic applications; those suspected of being AI-generated may be rejected. Please showcase your genuine skills and experiences.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or call 03456 014412. Further adjustments can be requested at subsequent stages.
Closing date: 11:30 pm, 6 May 2025
About Us
As a modern council, we offer diverse careers suited to various skills, abilities, and ambitions. We provide flexible working options and support your individual needs. Our goal is to make a positive impact and encourage driven and focused individuals to join us and build impactful careers. Reimagine possibilities.
Benefits include up to 29 days annual leave (pro-rata), UK bank holidays, volunteering days, membership of the LGPS pension scheme, health and wellbeing benefits, performance-related pay progression, training, career development opportunities, staff networks, and flexible working options. For more information, visit our careers website.
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