Communications and Public Affairs Manager

Suffolk County Council - Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk 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 significant change within local government in Suffolk, we seek an exceptional individual — politically astute, capable of managing multiple demands, a talented communicator, and an effective manager of people and resources. Do you see yourself in this description? If so, we would like to hear from you.

Your role

As a Communications and Public Affairs Manager, you will work alongside the Head of Communications and another Communications Manager, leading a team comprising Senior Communications Officers, Communications Officers, and a Senior Graphic Designer.

You will support and empower your team to perform at their best, providing strong leadership and management. Proactively identifying potential challenges through our forward planning is essential.

This role requires extensive experience in media relations and stakeholder communication, including politicians and other key groups. You will also oversee campaign budgets and contribute directly to communications and campaigns. Your role is vital to the team's success.

Your responsibilities

• Lead a dynamic, integrated communications team, overseeing their work and ensuring effective coordination.
• Make strategic decisions on campaign priorities, manage limited resources efficiently, and oversee team members.
• Create an environment that fosters impactful communication campaigns, leveraging your extensive experience in delivering high-profile projects.

You will need

• A degree or equivalent professional experience in communications and campaigns.
• Significant experience managing complex multidisciplinary communication projects and campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentations, reports, publicity, digital, and marketing materials.

For a full list of requirements, refer to the Job and Person Profile (docx). We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, even if you do not meet every requirement.

The team

Our team prioritizes audience-focused strategies, continuous learning, and impact measurement. We aim to be a center of excellence in campaign delivery and behavioral insights, committed to making a meaningful difference through creative and impactful communications.

Empowering Everyone

We believe in potential, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, especially those underrepresented in our organization, as detailed in our Workforce Equality Report (suffolk.gov.uk).

For more information

Contact Andrew St Ledger at 07779 322630 or via email at andrew.stledger@suffolk.gov.uk for an informal chat. If applying for a secondment, please review the 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 application.
3. Upload a supporting statement (answering the specified questions, no more than 400 words per question) using the Supporting Statement template.
4. Upload your CV without personal details.

All documents should be in PDF or MS Word format. Applications without a supporting statement and CV will not be considered. We value authentic applications and discourage AI-generated submissions. For adjustments during the process, contact recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or call 03456 014412.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 6 May 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults. DBS checks or police vetting are required for relevant positions. #LI-Hybrid

We offer diverse career opportunities, flexible working options, and a supportive environment to help you thrive. Benefits include up to 29 days annual leave, pension scheme membership, health and wellbeing benefits, performance-related pay, training, and development opportunities, and more.

For more details about our benefits, values, and commitments to equality, visit our Suffolk County Council careers website.