Job Description
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 Responsibilities:
1. Communication Strategy:
o Support the development and delivery of the council’s Communication Strategy.
o Develop and deliver key organisational messages and campaigns for external and internal audiences, embedding digital communications in everything we do.
2. Corporate Identity:
o Ensure the use of the council’s corporate identity and correct use by all council staff and partners.
3. Campaign Support:
o Offer support to all services in the council to ensure excellent standards for all campaigns and communications.
o Translate complex messages into readable and engaging copy, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
4. Digital Communication:
o Utilize digital communication, including social media, to engage residents, promote stories, and raise the profile of Thurrock.
5. Media Management:
o Support the delivery of a high standard, comprehensive, and integrated media management service.
o Efficiently distribute council media releases and, where appropriate, organize press conferences and briefings.
6. Research and Audience Focus:
o 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:
o 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:
o 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:
o Keep up to date with changes and developments affecting the council and its communications.
10. Crisis Communication:
o Support the team in crisis/emergency and high-profile communications.
o Some evening and weekend working may be required.
11. Managerial Support:
o Deputise for Managers as needed.
Requirements:
* 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 programmes.
* 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, judgement, and ensure confidentiality when dealing with members and officers at every level.