Communications Officer

West of England Combined Authorities; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Volunteer leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working

Flexible working

Job summary

West of England Combined Authorities seeks a Communications Officer to join our Communications team. You will write engaging content across press releases, social media and digital channels, and support campaigns promoting the Mayor’s priorities.

You’ll manage social channels and websites, coordinate with external partners and internal teams, and help deliver communications that raise the profile of the Mayor and the Authority.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience across communications.
• Strong copywriting and ability to adapt messages for different audiences and channels.
• Experience creating content across digital and traditional platforms and coordinating with external partners.
• Ability to develop campaigns, manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Write copy for press releases, social media, blogs and digital content.
• Help manage social media channels and websites to support campaigns and projects.
• Support development and delivery of communications campaigns across channels.
• Build relationships with internal teams, external stakeholders and regional media.
• Monitor issues affecting reputation and respond with timely, accurate messaging.

Skills

Excellent writing

Digital content

Plain English

Stakeholder liaison

Content creation

Campaign management

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

Degree level

Tools

CMS knowledge

Video editing knowledge

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - 70 Redcliff Street, Bristol

Introduction to the role and applicant profile

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) is seeking to appoint aCommunications Officer to join our Communications team. Reporting to the News and Media Manager, you’ll play a key role in supporting the MCA’s communications and campaigns, helping us communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of audiences.

We’re looking for acreative, confident and digitally savvy communicator with strong copywriting skills and a flair for producing engaging content. You’ll be someone who understands how to adapt messages for different audiences and platforms, from social media and digital content to media releases and other communications materials.

You’ll work across the Communications team, helping to coordinate external communications and support activity that raises the profile of the Mayor and the work of the Combined Authority.

This is a critical time in our transformation and growth journey, and you’ll be pivotal in helping us achieve our ambitions by:

• Creating engaging and accessible content across a range of communications channels.
• Supporting communications campaigns that promote the Mayor’s priorities and the work of the MCA.
• Writing copy for press releases, social media, blogs and digital content.
• Supporting the development of positive relationships with regional media.
• Helping to produce briefings, presentations, reports and other communications materials.
• Ensuring our messaging is clear, consistent and appropriate for different audiences.

What you’ll be doing

Are you someone whocan write compelling copy, create engaging digital content and adapt your communication style for different audiences, while working collaboratively and managing competing priorities?

As Communications Officer, you’ll support the delivery of communications activity across the organisation. You’ll write and develop content for a variety of platforms, including press releases, social media, blogs and digital channels, ensuring our communications are engaging, accurate and accessible.

You’ll help manage social media channels and websites, creating content that supports campaigns and projects and helps us connect with our audiences.

You’ll also support the development and delivery of communications campaigns, bringing creative ideas and helping to promote the activities and achievements of the Mayor and the Combined Authority.

Building strong relationships will be an important part of the role. You’ll work with colleagues across the organisation, external stakeholders and regional media, helping to support positive coverage and responding to media queries when required.

You’ll also help monitor and respond to issues that could affect the organisation’s reputation, ensuring responses are timely, accurate and appropriate.

What you’ll bring

You’ll be a communications, marketing or media professional with experience creating engaging content and working across digital and traditional communication channels.

We’re particularly interested in people who can demonstrate:

• Excellent writing skills and the ability to adapt copy for a range of audiences.
• Experience creating successful digital content and managing social media channels.
• The ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, accessible plain English.
• Experience working with multiple external partners and internal stakeholders.
• Creativity and the ability to produce engaging content for online and traditional channels.
• Experience planning and supporting integrated communications campaigns across a range of channels.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage your own workload and meet deadlines.

You’ll be educated to degree level or have equivalent professional experience, with a good understanding of communication principles, tools and techniques across digital and traditional platforms.

It would also be great if you have a recognised professional qualification in communications, PR or marketing, experience using website content management systems, or knowledge of filming, photography and video editing.

Why choose us?

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative Communications team at an exciting time for the West of England.

You’ll have the opportunity to help shape how the MCA communicates with its audiences, bringing your creativity and ideas to campaigns and content that showcase the work of the Mayor and the Combined Authority.

You’ll work across a wide range of communications channels, collaborating with colleagues and external stakeholders to ensure our messages are clear, consistent and engaging.

This is an opportunity to make a real difference — using your communication skills and creativity to help tell the story of the work we’re doing across the West of England.

Find out more

There’s more role-related information in the job description, but if you have any questions for the recruitment team you can contact us on [e-mail] .

About The Company

Our offer

We are based ina new bright and airy office, with all the latest technology, close to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station.

Alongside the opportunity to make a real differenceto the people who visit, live and work in the West of England, we offer an excellent benefits package including:

• 26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous service. There is also the option to increase your annual leave with our annual leave purchase scheme.
• 2 days ofpaid leave each year to volunteer
• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• Flexible, family friendly and hybrid working options to ensure you achieve the best work/life balance and career goals. We followa hybrid working model with typically 2 or 3 days in the office each week
• Reduced bus fare travel across the West of England

We believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, empowering you to thrive in your career. We prioritise your growth and success byprovidinga diverse range of learning and development opportunities. Our goal is to keep you motivated, equipped with essential skills, and confident in delivering excellent services.

The salary for this role is £38,220 - £41,771. This is the full-time equivalent salary, and will be pro-rata for part-time . We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments for external candidates typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.

Good Employment Charter https://www.goodemploymentcharter.co.uk/ As a founding Member of the West of England Good Employment Charter and accredited Living Wage Employer, we’re committed to creating a diverse environment where all our employees can thrive. We make sure all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and we particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or citizenship status.

Fair and Inclusive Recruitment

Reasonable Adjustments
If you have an accessibility need, disability, condition or need any additional support that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Resourcing Team at [e-mail] . We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We want to understand the real person behind each application. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools, these should support your writing rather than replace your own voice. AI can be a helpful aid, but your personal insight and individuality are what matter most to us.

Closing dates Our roles close at midnight on the closing date. Please note this vacancy may close early or be extended depending on the number of applications so please don’t wait to apply.If you have started your application, we’ll give you notice of the new closing date by email.

From a recruitment agency?

We’re not engaging with agencies for this role. Any CVs received from agencies will be considered as unsolicited and the property of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with no obligation to pay agency fees.