Communications Officer (Graduate Intern)

WMJobs; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Solihull Council is offering two paid internships for 12 months to train graduates in public relations and communications. You will join the busy Communications Team, handling media enquiries, drafting press releases, and managing social media.

The role includes campaign work to promote council issues and close collaboration with the Mayor of Solihull. As a graduate, you’ll gain a diverse portfolio and real-world experience in a politically restricted post within a democratically accountable

Qualifications

• Great written and spoken communication skills with the ability to interact and engage with people from diverse backgrounds.
• An enquiring mind, with enthusiasm and a real willingness to learn and develop throughout the internship.

Responsibilities

• Take calls from journalists and respond to enquiries.
• Write and issue press releases and statements; use the Council’s social media channels.
• Work on campaigns to promote Council issues via traditional and digital channels.
• Collaborate with the Mayor of Solihull to promote engagements.
• Build a portfolio through varied work during the internship.

Skills

Strong written communication

Spoken communication

Interpersonal engagement

Curiosity and willingness to learn

Education

Strong academic background

Job description

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Are you a university graduate who loves writing, knows your way around social media and is creative and curious? If so, a career in public relations and communications could be for you.

We are offering two paid internships for a 12-month period that will train you in all aspects of a career in PR and comms.

You will have the chance to work in our busy Communications Team, taking calls from journalists, responding to enquiries, writing and issuing press releases and statements; as well as using the Council’s social media channels.

As part of the role, you will also be taking on campaigns to promote Council issues through traditional and digital channels; this could be anything from climate change and community clean-ups to initiatives to encourage healthy lifestyles. You will also work closely with the Mayor of Solihull to promote their engagements.

As a graduate this is a fantastic opportunity to take the first step in your career in a complex and varied workplace. At the end of your contract, you will leave with a great portfolio to help gain permanent employment.

If you are interested in working in a political environment for a democratically accountable organisation and want to build a career in communications, then this is the opportunity for you. These internships are politically restricted posts.

You will have:

• A strong academic background coupled with bags of common sense.
• Great written and spoken communication skills with the ability to interact and engage with people from diverse backgrounds.
• An enquiring mind, with enthusiasm and a real willingness to learn and develop throughout the internship.

Our closing date for completed applications is Tuesday 17 November 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to undertake a psychometric test as part of the selection process.

Successful applicants will then be invited to attend an assessment centre on Tuesday 8 December 2026. The date for our assessment day is fixed, due to seeing multiple applicants. We therefore unfortunately cannot accept applications from candidates who are unable to attend on this day.

If you have a specific question or require further information regarding this post, please email [e-mail]

Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and a commitment to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Attached documents

Comms Intern 2025_26 JDPS FINAL.docx