Communications and Public Affairs Officer

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council; Dudley; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an experienced media relations professional with strong writing skills to protect and enhance the council's reputation. You will manage media enquiries, research and write news releases, prepare media statements and provide expert communications advice to officers, senior leaders and elected members.

You will handle sensitive issues, turn complex information into clear content, and proactively seek positive publicity opportunities while monitoring

Qualifications

• Experience in media relations, journalism, public relations or communications.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging content.
• Calm under pressure with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Responding to media enquiries and acting as a key media contact
• Researching and drafting media statements, press releases and briefing materials
• Securing positive media coverage
• Advising officers, senior managers and councillors on communications matters
• Managing reputational risks and sensitive communications issues
• Monitoring media coverage
• Creating engaging content for social media channels

Skills

Strong writing skills

Media relations

Communications

Job description

Are you an experienced communications professional with excellent media skills who thrives working in a fast-paced environment?

We’re looking for a media relations professional, with strong writing skills who can play a key role in protecting and enhancing Dudley Council’s reputation.

You’ll be managing media enquiries, researching and writing news releases, preparing media statements, identifying positive publicity opportunities and providing expert communications advice to officers, senior leaders and elected members.

You’ll also be handling sensitive and complex issues and ensuring accurate, timely and effective communication with the public and the media.

We’re looking for someone with experience in media relations, journalism, public relations or communications, ideally within a large and complex organisation.

You’ll be confident working under pressure, able to manage competing priorities, skilled at turning complex information into clear, engaging content and creative, proactive and passionate about communications.

Key responsibilities include:

• Responding to media enquiries and acting as a key media contact
• Researching and drafting media statements, press releases and briefing materials
• Securing positive media coverage
• Advising officers, senior managers and councillors on communications matters
• Managing reputational risks and sensitive communications issues
• Monitoring media coverage
• Creating engaging content for social media channels

Workplace Attendance: Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro-rata)

So that we can demonstrate Dudley’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and to improve bias in the recruitment process that could create barriers for candidates. Your personal data will be anonymised when you apply, to ensure that you comply with our anonymisation process, please ensure you have removed your name and date of birth from any attachments prior to uploading them to your application.

Online application forms will only be accepted for this vacancy, online facilities for jobs are available at public libraries within the Dudley Borough.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.

Dudley Council will check the information that you have provided against any details already held for accuracy and completeness. The Council will check, share and cross match your information both internally within the council and with external organisations to protect public funds and prevent or detect crime, only where the law allows us to do so.

The Council’s full Privacy and Disclaimer Statement can be accessed on the website at https://www.dudley.gov.uk/privacy-disclaimer-statement/

N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications

Attached documents
CAPA JD.pdf
Employee Benefits List.pdf