Lead Community Conversations Officer

South Gloucestershire Council; Yate; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Lead Community Conversations Officer to foster community development and engagement. In this full-time, hybrid role, you will lead projects, manage relationships with community partners, and provide essential support to ensure that community needs are met. Your expertise in community engagement will be pivotal in driving initiatives that make a tangible difference in people's lives. Join a team that values diversity and offers flexible working arrangements, generous leave, and career development opportunities. Be part of a mission that truly impacts the community!

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Employee wellbeing support

Staff discounts on various services

Flexible working arrangements

Comprehensive training and development programs

Qualifications

• Practical experience in community engagement is essential.
• Relevant degree or postgraduate qualification required.

Responsibilities

• Lead community conversations project and manage actions.
• Provide advice and support to community groups and partners.

Skills

Community Engagement

Project Management

Communication

Decision-Making Support

Education

Degree in Community Development

Postgraduate Qualification in Engagement

Job description

How You'll Make a Difference

Building new relationships with communities, partners, and town and parish councils, the information and support you provide will help ensure the activities of the council deliver what communities need and support them to develop their own solutions.

To support community growth, it is key that you develop good relationships and build conversations within communities to understand their lived experiences and strengths.

What You Will Be Doing

• You will be responsible for leading the community conversations project, managing actions, and driving the internal champions group.
• Working in partnership with internal and external agencies, you will co-ordinate and deliver projects, programmes, and initiatives in a specialist service area.
• Identifying issues, you will support decision-making by providing advice and recommendations through presentations, reports, and consultations.
• Providing advice, guidance, and support to community groups, partners, and customers to foster community development will be a key part of your role.
• You will provide specialist information and training to colleagues, other departments, and partner organizations.
• Using your experience and knowledge, you will lead project team initiatives to ensure objectives are achieved in response to change.
• Occasionally, you will represent the council at partnership meetings and events.

What We Need From You

• Relevant practical experience in community engagement and evidence of appropriate specialist knowledge are essential.
• You will hold a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification related to community development, engagement, or participation.
• Demonstrated detailed knowledge of community engagement, including functionality, capability, and available services, is required.
• You will have experience planning work activities within general professional guidelines or organizational policy.

What You Need To Know

• This is a full-time role, working 37 hours per week.
• This is a limited-term contract ending on 31st March 2027.
• The role is hybrid, involving a mix of working at our office in Badminton Road and from home.

Interviews will be held on 2nd June 2025.

How a Career At South Gloucestershire Council Is Different

• Our benefits include generous annual leave (pro-rata), employee wellbeing support, and access to staff discounts on eye tests, travel, shopping, and leisure activities.
• We value diversity and welcome applications from everyone, ensuring fair opportunities for all based on merit and ability.
• We offer flexible working arrangements to support work/life balance.
• We invest in our staff's careers through comprehensive training and development programs that make a long-term difference.

Our teams are making a real difference in the lives of those who live, work, and learn here:

• Building and shaping proud communities.
• Planning for the future by improving infrastructure, schools, green spaces, and housing.
• Providing essential services to keep communities safe and well-maintained.

We've achieved a lot, but we need talented and dedicated people to continue making a difference.

We’re making a difference—be part of it!

To view the full job description, please click this link: Lead Community Conversations Officer - Job Description