Communications Officer – Basildon Borough Council

TN United Kingdom; Basildon; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading council is seeking a Communications Officer to enhance its reputation and engage with the community. This role involves managing media inquiries, creating content, and collaborating with teams to ensure effective communication. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills and experience in media management. Join a supportive environment focused on making a tangible impact in Basildon.

Benefits

Professional Development

Flexible Working Arrangements

Collaborative Work Environment

Qualifications

• Proven experience in communications or press relations, ideally in public sector.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft and distribute press releases and statements.
• Monitor media coverage and produce reports on public sentiment.
• Plan and create engaging content for social media.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Media Management

Crisis Communications

Copywriting

Social Media Management

Tools

Microsoft 365

Content Management Systems

Social Media Scheduling Software

Creative Cloud

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Communications Officer – Basildon Borough Council, Basildon

col-narrow-left

Client:

Essex County Council

Location:

Basildon, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

-

EU work permit required:

Yes

col-narrow-right

Job Reference:

7c7e62310a96

Job Views:

3

Posted:

17.05.2025

Expiry Date:

01.07.2025

col-wide

Job Description:

Communications Officer

Full-Time, Temporary

3 Month Contract

Closing Date: Monday 26th May 20235

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Basildon Borough Council to recruit a Communications Officer on a full-time, temporary basis.

About the Role

Basildon Borough Council is seeking a dynamic, skilled and versatile Communications Officer to join our dedicated communications team. This is a unique opportunity to play a vital role in enhancing the Council’s reputation, providing clear and engaging communications principally to external audiences, although there will be a requirement to assist the Senior Internal Communications Officer from time to time when required.

Press Officer Duties

• Point of contact for media inquiries, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
• Draft and distribute press releases, statements, and briefing notes to promote council initiatives and activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Monitor media coverage and produce regular reports on public and media sentiment.
• Prepare and support spokespeople such as the Chief Executive, The Leader and members of the Cabinet, including providing briefing materials and advice for interviews.
• Social media posts, ensuring they reflect the organisation’s values and priorities.
• Plan, create, and schedule engaging and relevant content across all platforms, including text, images, and video.
• Respond to comments, messages, and queries in a timely and professional manner.
• Monitor social media trends and analytics to measure engagement and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Work collaboratively with other teams to ensure alignment of social media messaging with broader council initiatives.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in communications, press relations, or a related field, ideally within a public sector organisation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences and channels.
• Strong knowledge of social media platforms, trends, and best practices.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive working relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in using communication tools, including content management systems, Microsoft 365, email marketing platforms, and social media scheduling software.
• Creative flair and attention to detail, with the ability to produce high-quality content. Copywriting and editing.
• Experience in crisis communications and media management.
• An understanding of, and experience in, a fast-moving political environment either in central government or local government.
• Knowledge of the local government landscape and issues relevant to Basildon Borough.
• Familiarity with graphic design tools, such as Creative Cloud.
• Experience in video production and editing.

What We Offer

• A supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• The chance to make a tangible impact in the community of Basildon.

If you are a proactive and creative communicator with a passion for public service, we want to hear from you. Join us in making a difference for Basildon Borough and its residents.