Communications Officer

EMEA3 Recruitment; Chichester; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

West Sussex County Council is seeking a Communications officer to deliver a range of communications activities across print, digital and social media. You will work on campaigns, manage media enquiries and build relationships with residents, partners and stakeholders.

You will understand the news agenda locally and nationally, ensuring timely responses and evaluation of outcomes. A full-time post with hybrid working and an on-call rota is included.

Qualifications

• Ability to develop creative ideas across forms of communication and input into platforms.
• Ability to write effectively for diverse audiences and channels.
• Developed communication and interpersonal skills to work with stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and pragmatic decision-making.
• Ability to manage workload and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Deliver communications across campaigns and multiple channels.
• Handle media enquiries and monitor the news agenda.
• Develop and evaluate communications activities for impact.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders across the council.
• Work on several projects simultaneously and participate in an on-call rota.

Skills

Creative communications

Written communications

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Time management

Education

Relevant degree

Job description

Salary: £33,673 to £36,581 per annum Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract for 12 months Working Pattern: Full-time - 37 hours per week Location: Based at County Hall, West Street, Chichester PO19 1RQ with hybrid working.

We are looking for a creative individual to deliver first-class communications to our residents, stakeholders and partners.

Do you understand the media landscape alongside the political one? Do you have knowledge and experience of using communication channels to ensure messages get to the right people in the right way?

If the answer is yes, we want to hear from you! Read on to find out more about this exciting role…

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do. Upon joining us you will have access to a range of benefits including the following:

For a full list, please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.

The opportunity

As a Communications officer, you will deliver a range of communications activities that align with our key strategic plans. You will work on campaigns and engagement work across a variety of channels, including print, digital and social media. You will also support with enquiries from the media on a variety of topics.

You will work on several creative projects at any one time and ensure that all communications activities are evaluated and assessed to ensure they are having the impact we are aiming for.

You will gain a full understanding of council services to successfully support the wider organisation and build and maintain key relationships with a variety of stakeholders. You will understand the news agenda, both locally and nationally, to ensure the council is in a good position to react and respond to anything of relevance.

You’ll be required to participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota, for which an additional allowance is provided.

About you

• Ability and knowledge to develop creative ideas across all forms of communication and inputting this into a range of platforms, including social media.
• Ability to write effectively for a range of audiences and communication channels and the sound and accurate IT knowledge to deliver this.
• Developed communication and interpersonal skills and experience to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders and maintain relationships.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to anticipate and resolve issues, whilst making pragmatic decisions.
• Ability to manage and prioritise your workload effectively when demands and deadlines change.
• Excellent literacy and numeracy skills to understand and interpret research, data and feedback and present analysis accordingly.
• Relevant degree, alternative qualification or relevant professional experience.
• Relevant theoretical and practical knowledge of processes, procedures and
  policies associated with working within a demanding communications service.
• Understand the media and political landscape and the sensitivity of these as well as experience of handing and responding to press enquiries.
• Experience of working on a variety of communications, ideally in the public sector.

For more information on the key skills as well as the qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the job description attached.

About us

West Sussex County Council is a diverse organisation that provides services to more than 900,000 residents every day. The Communication Team is currently supporting the council as we move through a period of change, and our priorities are at the heart of this change.

Further information

The reference number for this role is CRS01128.

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Philippa Terry-Eld (Communication and Engagement Lead) [e-mail]

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.This post is subject to right to work in the UK, 3 years referencing and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.