Communications Officer

local.gov.uk; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

A public sector organization is looking for a proactive Communications Officer to support essential communication activities. This role involves managing internal and external communication plans during a transitional period. Candidates should have strong writing skills, experience in digital content management, and an ability to engage effectively with stakeholders. The position is part-time, working 25 to 28 hours a week, with a salary range of £44,700 to £54,650 pro rata, plus additional benefits.

Benefits

10% non-contributory pension scheme

28 days leave plus bank holidays

Health cash plan

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• Proven experience in delivering communication plans effectively.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing content across digital platforms.

Responsibilities

• Support communication plans during the transition period.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and digital assets.
• Maintain PSAA's reputation through effective communication.

Skills

Delivery of communications

Communication and stakeholder engagement

Content management

Written communication

Project support

Collaboration and initiative

Job description

Overview

Job title: Communications Officer

Role: Fixed term (at least 12 months with potential for extension), part time: 25 to 28 hours per week

Office base: Hybrid, dual location – Westminster in central London and your home address. You will work from the office from time to time. This will not follow a regular pattern as we get together as and when needed to meet business needs. Travel expenses from home to office are funded for required business travel. You must be willing and able to commute into the office as and when required.

Grade: Officer

Salary: £44,700 to £54,650 (pro rata) plus 10% non-contributory pension scheme and pro-rata 28 days leave per year plus bank holidays, and a range of optional benefits such as health cash plan and private medical insurance.

Reports to: Assistant Communications Manager

Please note: recruitment for this role is being administered by the Local Government Association on behalf of Public Sector Audit Appointments.

About PSAA

Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited (PSAA) is an independent company limited by guarantee incorporated by the Local Government Association in August 2014.

We are a not-for-profit company with 35 employees and a Board of six directors.

In July 2016, the Government specified PSAA as an appointing person under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Local Audit (Appointing Person) Regulations 2015. As an appointing person PSAA is responsible for appointing auditors, setting scales of fees for eligible bodies that have chosen to opt into its national scheme, overseeing issues of auditor independence and monitoring contract compliance of the audit firms with whom we contract.

For the period from 2023/24 to 2027/28, over 99% of local government bodies joined our scheme. In late 2022 we completed a major procurement of external audit services for the delivery of an annual audit for the next five years to over 450 local government bodies, our clients.

The company is staffed by a team with significant experience of working within the context of the regulations to appoint auditors, managing contracts with audit firms, and setting and determining audit fees, and a small team providing business and project support services.

In December 2024 the Government announced plans to create the Local Audit Office (LAO) and to transfer all PSAA’s functions into this new organisation. The date of transfer is likely to be between Autumn 2026 and April 2028. The government has begun early discussions with us about PSAA staff transferring into the LAO.

You can find out more about who we are and what we do in the About Us section of our website.

About The Role

This is not a typical Communications Officer role. We are looking to recruit a proactive, highly organised and experienced communications professional who enjoys operating as an all-rounder, to support the delivery of our critical communication and engagement workstreams as we prepare to transition to the LAO. Working collaboratively within a small and busy team, the role will focus on ensuring the smooth delivery of PSAA’s internal and external communication plans over a 12-to-18-month transition period.

Working closely with the Assistant Communications Manager, you will play a supporting role in keeping all stakeholders informed and engaged. You will help manage and maintain digital assets, contribute to the transition programme communications, and support efforts to uphold and enhance PSAA’s reputation.

This is a hands-on, varied role that requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple projects, a curious mindset and a flexible, can-do approach to problem-solving.

About You

Please read the attached job profile, and the role-specific behavioural competencies and technical proficiencies to find out more about the key responsibilities of this exciting new role and the skills and competencies we are looking for in the successful candidate.

You must have the right to work in the UK. PSAA is unable to offer sponsorship. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.

To apply

If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the requirements of the role using the skills described in the job profile, the behavioural competencies framework and technical proficiencies before the closing date.

We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria so ensure that you address them in your supporting statement:

1. Delivery of Communications – demonstrate ability to deliver internal and external communication plans, including creation and distribution of content across channels, ensuring messaging is clear, consistent, timely and engaging.

2. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement - emphasise exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels, adapt messaging for different audiences and proactively encourage feedback and dialogue.

3. Content Management and Digital Assets – detail experience of managing content on digital platforms such as websites and social media accounts, including familiarity with content management systems. Describe your approach to auditing digital assets and your understanding of digital dependencies.

4. Written Communication and Attention to Detail - highlight exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills, and ability to produce highly accurate, clear and engaging content under pressure. Demonstrate ability to maintain high standards of professionalism in all written outputs.

5. Project Support and Data Analysis – showcase ability to manage multiple priorities, support cross-team projects and track actions and deadlines. Provide examples of how you analyse complex data and apply IT and problem-solving skills to deliver effective communication outcomes.

6. Collaboration and Initiative - describe experience of working flexibly and collaboratively across teams, building positive stakeholder relationships and contributing to a culture of trust and collaboration. Show how curiosity, initiative and can-do attitude help you work independently while knowing when to seek advice.

PSAA values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.

We use anonymous recruitment, which is the practice of hiding candidates’ identities. This process involves removing any identifying information from candidates’ applications which includes names.

Please refer to the below documents for a detailed outline of the role.

Job profile

Technical Proficiencies

Behavioural Competencies

Closing Date: 11:59pm, Sunday 19 October 2025

Interview Date: 3 or 4 November 2025, interviews will be virtual, held over MS Teams

Start Date: 17 November 2025 or as soon as possible on a Monday thereafter

For more information on PSAA and what we do, please visit our website.