Senior Communications Officer

Sefton Council; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking a Senior Communications Officer to act as a communications business partner to the Regeneration, Economy and Assets Directorate. The role spans internal/external communications, media and PR, stakeholder engagement and reputation management.

You will work with senior leaders, services and partners to turn priorities into clear messages for diverse audiences and support major strategic priorities including Sefton 2030 and housing/regeneration

Qualifications

• Experience delivering internal and external communications.
• Ability to translate complex activity into clear messages for diverse audiences.
• Experience advising senior leaders and building stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Act as communications business partner to Sefton Council's Regeneration, Economy and Assets Directorate.
• Balance planned communications with emerging issues and proactive storytelling.
• Provide senior communications support and cover when required.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Media relations

Strategic communications

Public sector experience

Job description

• Employer: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
• Location: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Magdalen House
• Contract: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Full Time
• Hours: 36 hours per week.
• DBS Check: No
• Closing Date: 20/10/2026 at 23:59
• Reference: SS/26/346538

About the Role
As Senior Communications Officer, you’ll act as a communications business partner to our Regeneration, Economy and Assets Directorate, working as part of Sefton Council’s wider Corporate Communications team.
It’s a varied role spanning internal and external communications, media and PR, stakeholder engagement and reputation management. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, elected members, services and partners to understand their priorities, provide trusted communications advice and turn complex activity into clear and engaging messages for different audiences.
A key focus will be supporting some of Sefton’s major strategic priorities, including Sefton 2030, our strategic housing partnership with The Sovini Group, alongside significant regeneration, capital and property programmes. This will give you the opportunity to work across high-profile activity with real impact for our places and communities.

You’ll be comfortable balancing planned communications with emerging issues, identifying opportunities for proactive storytelling and ensuring our communications are coordinated, evidence-led and aligned to wider Council priorities.
You’ll also work closely with the Marketing and Communications Lead and Corporate Communications Manager, contributing to forward planning across the team and, when required, providing senior communications support and cover.

This role would suit someone who combines strong communications delivery with the confidence to advise, influence and build relationships and someone who can see the bigger picture while still making things happen.
Please see Appendix A and B for a full copy of the Job Description and Person Specification.

The closing date for this vacancy is Tuesday 20th October 2026.

Interviews will be held week beginning Interviews will be held week beginning 26th October 2026 – In Person at Magdalen House

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody’s identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential.We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview.

If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.