Design and Communications Officer

Taunton Town Council; Taunton; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Perkbox Employee Benefits Platform

Employee Assistance Programme

LGPS pension

25 days holiday

Job summary

Taunton Town Council is seeking a hands-on Design and Communications Officer to lead creative projects and develop engaging internal communications across the organisation. You will design print and digital materials using Adobe Creative Suite, ensure brand consistency, and manage content for SharePoint and staff communications.

You will work with a small team and external partners to deliver accessible, inclusive content that informs and connects residents, councillors and colleagues across the

Qualifications

• Hands-on Design and Communications Officer role requiring strong graphic design and communications skills.
• Proficient use of Adobe Creative Suite to create print and digital materials.
• Experience with SharePoint intranet and internal communications channels.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and production of print/digital communications for Council teams.
• Create engaging internal communications across SharePoint, staff intranet and newsletters.
• Produce content for newsletters, blogs, social media, and digital channels.
• Coordinate printed materials, liaise with printers and suppliers as required.
• Support campaigns, consultations, events and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

SharePoint

Internal communications

Graphic design

Tools

InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join Taunton Town Council and help shape how we communicate with residents, councillors and colleagues. As part of a collaborative communications team, you will lead creative projects, develop engaging internal communications and contribute to initiatives that make a meaningful difference across the town and its communities.

This role offers the opportunity to bring together creativity, graphic design expertise and communications skills in a varied and rewarding position. From designing publications and campaigns to managing internal communications channels, you will create accessible and engaging content that has a positive and visible impact across the organisation and the wider community.

Working with a range of colleagues and stakeholders, you will help ensure our communications are inclusive, effective and reflective of the diverse communities we serve.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

As a hands-on Design and Communications Officer, you’ll help Taunton Town Council connect with colleagues, residents and communities through clear, creative and engaging communications.

You’ll lead the design and production of print and digital materials, using your creative skills and Adobe Creative Suite to bring ideas to life and ensure our communications are accurate, consistent and in line with the Council’s brand.

You’ll also support our internal communications, creating engaging content for SharePoint, the staff intranet and staff communications, helping colleagues feel informed, connected and included.

Working as part of a small, collaborative team, you’ll manage a fast-paced and varied workload, balancing competing priorities and deadlines. You’ll work with colleagues across the Council and external stakeholders, bringing fresh ideas and creativity to projects that make a visible difference

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Internal Communications

• Lead the Council's internal communications through SharePoint, the staff intranet, Teams, employee newsletters, email updates, noticeboards and other communication channels


• Design, build, maintain and continually improve the Council's SharePoint-based intranet


• Develop engaging internal communications that support organisational priorities, employee engagement and Council values


• Ensure colleagues receive clear, timely and accessible information through appropriate channels and formats


• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of internal communications and identify opportunities for improvement.

Design and Publications

• Lead the design and production of print and digital communications materials for teams across the Council


• Use Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop, to create high-quality visual communications


• Lead the design and production of Council publications, including the twice-yearly resident newsletter and the Members' Memo e-newsletter


• Manage design projects from initial brief through to final production, ensuring deadlines, budgets and quality standards are met


• Prepare artwork for professional print production, including print-ready PDFs, bleed, crop marks, colour settings and resolution requirements


• Ensure all communications are accurate, consistent and compliant with the Council's brand guidelines


• Coordinate the production of printed and designed materials, liaising with printers, suppliers and contractors as required.

Communications and Engagement

• Work with colleagues across the Council to develop communications in support of campaigns, consultations, projects, initiatives and events


• Produce engaging content for a variety of channels, including newsletters, blogs, social media, videos and digital communications


• Support email marketing activity, including the creation and distribution of newsletters and campaign communications using platforms such as Mailchimp


• Provide design and communications advice and support to colleagues across the Council


• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders


• Support stakeholder engagement activities and communications associated with Council projects and initiatives


• Ensure communications are accessible, inclusive and easy to understand, applying best practice across print and digital channels


• Use data, analytics and feedback to evaluate communications activity and inform future improvements.

Events and Corporate Support

• Support events, photo opportunities, visits, civic activities and other corporate events


• Attend Council events where required and, on occasion, capture photography and video content to support communications activity


• Maintain awareness of developments in communications, design, digital engagement and emerging technologies


• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the role.

Benefits of working for us

• Work for a Town Council that strives to improve the quality of town life


• A work environment in a town location with excellent travel, bus and rail links


• Perkbox Employee Benefits Platform


• Employee Assistance Programme


• A focus on learning and development opportunities for our employees, including a teambuilding programme


• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. The LGPS is a ‘Career Average Revalued Earnings’ (CARE) scheme, which means your benefits are based on your salary for each year you are in the scheme


• Employee Recognition and Reward Scheme


• 25 days’ holiday per year increasing to 27 days after 2 years’ service, and 30 days after 5 years’ service, plus normal bank holidays. Please note these entitlements include 2 statutory days


• Long Service Awards starting from 5 years’ service


• Additional Purchased Annual Leave Scheme


• Access to a central work car park


• Volunteering Leave


• Sick pay (in accordance with National Joint Councils agreed terms)


• Access to trained workplace Mental Health First Aiders to support your wellbeing


• Caring and compassionate employer, signatory of the Menopause Workplace Pledge, White Ribbon Accredited, The Civility and Respect Pledge, The Charter for Compassion and The Armed Forces Covenant

Accessibility and recruitment support

If you need the application form or recruitment information in a different format, or if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please contact the HR team at [e-mail] or 01823 793637. We are happy to discuss how we can support you.