Digital Communications Officer - CCAREQ006

The Cumbria County Council; Penrith; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Cumbria Combined Authority is seeking a Digital Communications Officer to shape how the authority communicates with residents and stakeholders. You will craft clear content for our website and social media, write press materials, and support campaigns across Cumbria.

You will translate complex information into engaging content for broad audiences, work with partners and media, and help develop communications strategies as the organisation grows.

Qualifications

• Experience in communications, PR, or marketing.
• Strong writing and editing skills for multiple audiences.
• Understanding of digital communications, social media and CMS.

Responsibilities

• Create clear and engaging content for the website and social media channels.
• Write press releases and other media content; support campaigns and events.
• Translate complex information into accessible content for diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation and media to share messages.

Job description

Job reference REQ00000020365 Date posted 08/09/2026 Application closing date 20/09/2026 Location Penrith Salary £42,123 - £43,149 Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Attachments Blank

Job description

Digital Communications Officer – Cumbria Combined Authority

Salary: £42,123

Location: Penrith (including agile working and working from home)

Contract Type: Permanent

Shape the Future of Cumbria

Cumbria is entering a bold new chapter.

The creation of the Cumbria Combined Authority (CCA) marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock the full potential of one of England’s most distinctive places. With devolution bringing new powers, new investment and a directly elected Mayor from May 2027, the Authority will play a central role in driving inclusive growth, improving public services and championing the needs of communities across Cumbria.

As we establish the organisation, we are seeking a Digital Communications Officer to join us on our journey.

About this opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a new and growing communications team at an interesting point in Cumbria’s story.

Despite the job title, this is much more than a purely digital role. You will help us tell people clearly what the combined authority is, what it is doing and what it means for Cumbria, across a wide range of channels and audiences.

You will create clear and engaging content for our website and social media channels, write press releases and other media content, and support communications around campaigns, events and some of the major programmes and investments being delivered across Cumbria.

You will also work with colleagues across the organisation, helping them think about how best to communicate their work and turning sometimes complex information into content that people can understand and engage with.

Because the combined authority is still developing, there is a real opportunity to help shape how we communicate from the outset. We want someone who will bring ideas, understand our different audiences and use insight and performance data to help us keep improving what we do.

You will be part of a small communications team where you will have the opportunity to take ownership of your work, develop your skills and see the impact of what you produce.

Who we are looking for…

We are looking for someone who is a strong communicator and a good writer, with experience of creating content for different audiences and channels.

You will be able to take complicated information and turn it into clear, accurate and interesting content, whether that is a press release, web page, social post, campaign message or internal update.

You will have experience of communications, PR, marketing or a related area, alongside a good understanding of digital communications, social media and content management systems.

You will understand what makes good social content and how this differs across platforms. You will be comfortable creating and adapting content for social media, including visual content, and using basic insight and analytics to see what is working and help improve future content.

You will think about the audience as well as the message: what people need to know, what might interest them and the best way to reach them.

You will be organised and collaborative, with good attention to detail, and comfortable working with colleagues, partners, stakeholders and the media.

Experience of working in the public sector or a politically sensitive environment would be useful, but we are also looking for someone who is curious, keen to learn and develop, and excited by the opportunity to be part of something new.

Why Join Cumbria Combined Authority?

• Be part of a brand-new organisation with real devolved powers
• Work with passionate partners across public, private and community sectors
• Make a tangible difference to places, people and opportunities across Cumbria
• Leave a lasting legacy by preparing the Authority for long‑term success

If you are inspired by the opportunity to build something new, meaningful and impactful, and to help shape the future of Cumbria, we would love to hear from you.

Join us at the start of Cumbria’s journey – and help turn ambition into reality.

Location

This role may be suitable for hybrid working, which means an employee works part of their time in the office and part from home. This is a voluntary and non‑contractual arrangement between you and your manager, and your contractual place of work will remain your office location.

If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for both the role and for you, you will normally be required to spend a minimum of 40% of your working hours in the office. Our main office is at Redhills, near Penrith. We are also able to use offices of our partner authorities across the county to help fulfil this expectation.

Please discuss any caring responsibilities, disabilities, or other circumstances that may affect your ability to meet this minimum office attendance requirement with the recruiting manager.

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 20/09/2026

Final interview date: 13/10/2026

Interview details such as venue/timings will be shared with successful candidates, following the shortlisting process. If you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.