Suffolk County Council – Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX - Hybrid £58,270 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 Communications and Public Affairs Manager. At a time of great change with local government in Suffolk, we are looking for someone truly exceptional - politically astute, able to juggle multiple demands, a talented and experienced communicator and an excellent manager of people and money. Does that sound like you? If so, then you could be who we are looking for. Your role We are looking for a Communications and Public Affairs Manager, who (along with the Head of Communications and the other Communications Manager) is responsible for leading the work of the team including the Senior Communications Officers, Communications Officers and Senior Graphic Designer. In this role you will support and empower the team to deliver to their absolute maximum, providing strong, consistent and focused leadership and management. You will manage across the whole team, proactively identifying pinch points well in advance using our forward plan. With extensive experience of working with the media and communicating with colleagues, politicians and stakeholders, the Communications and Public Affairs Managers are also responsible for monitoring and managing campaign budgets and delivering some communications and campaigns themselves. They are critical to the smooth working of the team. If you are a skilled communications professional with extensive experience in delivering a range of high-profile communications campaigns, then what are you waiting for? Your responsibilities To lead a busy and influential integrated communications team, co-ordinating and overseeing the work of our dedicated communications professionals Making strategic decisions about which campaigns and projects the team will commit scarce resources to, driving high performance, closely managing tight campaign budgets and directly managing members of the team With your extensive experience of delivering impactful communications and campaigns activities, you will create an environment in which communications officers can bring our campaigns to life. You will need to be educated to degree level or equivalent, or significant professional experience in a communications and campaigns environment extensive experience managing and commissioning major multidisciplinary communications projects and campaigns excellent written and verbal communications 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, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. The team We think about audiences first and deliver communications activities that achieve agreed results. We like to learn, so evaluate our work to measure its impact and improve in the future. Our team is an environment where people thrive, it is quickly becoming a centre of excellence for delivering campaigns and using behavioural insights to drive change, shaping and sharing information and protecting and enhancing the council's reputation. We strive to make a real difference - bringing creativity and turbo-charging communications and campaign. Empowering Everyone We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report (suffolk.gov.uk). For more information Please contact Andrew St Ledger for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 07779 322630 or emailing andrew.stledgersuffolk.gov.uk If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application. How to apply Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (docx). Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application. Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template. 1. Can you describe a time when you had to lead a team through a challenging project? How did you ensure that the team remained motivated and focused? 2. How do you tailor your communication strategies to different stakeholders, including political and media stakeholders? 3. How do you build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including councillors and senior colleagues? 4. How have you used behavioural techniques in your communications strategies to influence public behaviour? Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details). Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitmentsuffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process. Closing date: 11.30pm, 6 May 2025. This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. LI-Hybrid As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities. In return, you’ll enjoy: up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase training and encouragement to expand your knowledge a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation diverse and active staff networks flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day Plus lots more If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .