Community Engagement Manager (Flood Resilience Programme)

Somerset County Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

LGPS pension

Hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council is recruiting a Community Engagement Manager to lead engagement across the Somerset Flood Resilience Programme, coordinating with communities, partners and stakeholders to ensure local insight informs delivery and outcomes.

The role is based in Somerset with flexible and hybrid working; it is a fixed-term contract until October 2028, offering 30 days leave, LGPS pension and a supportive environment for collaboration and resilience across the county.

Qualifications

• Experience leading community and stakeholder engagement in complex organisations, partnerships or programmes.
• Strong understanding of community engagement, stakeholder management and partnership working.
• Experience managing teams, resources and budgets to deliver outcomes.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships with elected members, communities and multi-agency partners.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills to engage diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical, organisational and influencing skills with evidence-based decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of engagement and communications activity across the programme.
• Build strong relationships with communities, councillors, local organisations and partner agencies.
• Ensure community feedback and local insight help shape programme priorities and decisions.
• Bring together stakeholders to support collaboration and community-led resilience initiatives.
• Provide strategic advice on engagement, stakeholder confidence and risk management.
• Lead, develop and support the engagement team to deliver high-quality engagement activity.

Skills

Community engagement

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Relationship building

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Job description

Salary: Grade 10, ranging from £38,510 - £43,149 per annum

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Contract: Fixed-term contract until October 2028

Closing date: 15 October 2026

Help Shape a More Resilient Somerset

Be part of an ambitious programme that will make a real difference to communities across Somerset. This is an opportunity to lead engagement on a high-profile initiative, influence strategic decision-making and help ensure investment is informed by the people and places it is designed to support.

About the Role

As Community Engagement Manager, you'll lead and coordinate engagement activity across the Somerset Flood Resilience Programme, managing relationships with communities, partners and stakeholders while ensuring local insight helps shape programme delivery and outcomes.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Lead the delivery of engagement and communications activity across the programme.
• Build strong relationships with communities, councillors, local organisations and partner agencies.
• Ensure community feedback and local insight help shape programme priorities and decisions.
• Bring together stakeholders to support collaboration and community-led resilience initiatives.
• Provide strategic advice on engagement, stakeholder confidence and risk management.
• Lead, develop and support the engagement team to deliver high-quality engagement activity.

What You'll Bring

• Experience leading and delivering community and stakeholder engagement within a complex organisation, partnership or programme.
• Strong understanding of community engagement, stakeholder management and partnership working.
• Experience managing teams, resources and budgets to deliver successful outcomes.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships with elected members, communities and multi-agency partners.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of audiences.
• Strong analytical, organisational and influencing skills, with the ability to use evidence and insight to inform decision-making.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• 30 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council:

https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/

Further Information

• This role offers flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
• Secondment opportunities will be considered for internal applicants. Please discuss your application with your line manager before applying.
• This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS with barred list check.
• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact James Divall (Head of Service: Climate and Natural Environment) via email: [e-mail]

You can find a copy of the job description here: RP327 Community Engagement Manager.pdf

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