OR6347(SJ) – Communications Officer

To support the Head of Policy & External Relations in developing the Council’s communications and marketing service to enable the council to communicate effectively both internally and externally through social media, intranet, press and media, and stakeholder engagement.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

Press and Media

1. Responsible for a scheduled plan of Council news stories and activities to promote the Council and its services.
2. Provide a pro-active press service for the Council, including writing press releases, blogs, case studies, feature articles and facilitating media interviews and associated briefing notes for use by local, regional and national press to promote the Council and its services.
3. To manage and respond to media enquiries in a professional and effective manner to uphold the Council’s and the City of Preston’s reputation.
4. To engage and respond to public enquiries on behalf of the City Council in a professional and effective manner to uphold the council’s and the city’s reputation.
5. Responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of media coverage and the performance of the press office service, and for recording all proactive and reactive media spokesperson comments.

Social Media and Digital

1. Responsible for the planning, content and maintenance of all Council websites, social media platforms and accounts including Facebook, X, Linked In and Instagram.
2. Support directorates and Council officers in the effective use of the Council’s social media channels.
3. To support Council events and activities through the Council websites and social media channels through the use of written articles, photographs and videos.
4. To prepare and edit video and audio content for publications on the Council digital channels to promote Council initiatives, events and services.
5. To drive engagement, follower numbers and increase awareness through the Council’s social media platforms and to drive traffic to the Council’s websites.
6. To monitor and evaluate all social media activity and the success rate of digital campaigns.
7. To contribute to the content, management and distribution of the monthly ‘Prestonian and Visit e-newsletters.

Internal Communications

1. To support in the continued development of the Council’s internal communications resources and to increase staff engagement including the content and delivery for an intranet site, Facebook staff page and the staff e-newsletter.
2. To support, advise and train Council directorates and Cabinet Members in the development and management of their communication and reputational requirements.

Key Projects / Portfolio Responsibilities

1. Enhance the reputation of the Council by creating high quality digital and creative communications including print editorial and social media content, photography, videography and promotional materials.
2. To support the Council’s extensive annual events calendar, corporate projects, campaigns and services through the development and implementation of strategic and effective communications plans that employ a wide range of marketing and PR methods.
3. Advise and support Council colleagues and Cabinet Members regarding communication and reputational issues and assist in any crisis communications if and when required.
4. To promote the Council’s strategic priorities and the city as growing and vibrant city with a thriving and fair economy.
5. To drive engagement, manage and grow awareness of the Council’s different brands and to support, implement, monitor and evaluate communications campaigns and strategies that promote Preston to key stakeholders including investor and developer markets, and the visitor audience.

Other duties

1. To keep up-to-date with the latest professional development and to undertake training as required.
2. To attend launches, events and other relevant Council occasions to take photos or provide live event support for the team.
3. To attend meetings and participate in networking activities as necessary.
4. To undertake a range of administrative tasks on behalf of the Communications team.

Umbrella hourly rate

£19.85