3 months contract with local authority

Job Purpose:

• The communications team needs an experienced and creative communications officer, having worked in other local government comms teams, ready to hit the ground running and work within a small and agile team to deliver proactive campaigns and manage reactive media.
  
• Must be a good writer and thrive in a political environment.
  

Key Responsibilities:

1. Communication Strategy:
   

   • Support the development and delivery of the council’s Communication Strategy.
     
   • Develop and deliver key organisational messages and campaigns for external and internal audiences, embedding digital communications in everything we do.
     

2. Corporate Identity:
   

   • Ensure the use of the council’s corporate identity and correct use by all council staff and partners.
     

3. Campaign Support:
   

   • Offer support to all services in the council to ensure excellent standards for all campaigns and communications.
     
   • Translate complex messages into readable and engaging copy, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
     

4. Digital Communication:
   

   • Utilize digital communication, including social media, to engage residents, promote stories, and raise the profile of Thurrock.
     

5. Media Management:
   

   • Support the delivery of a high standard, comprehensive, and integrated media management service.
     
   • Efficiently distribute council media releases and, where appropriate, organize press conferences and briefings.
     

6. Research and Audience Focus:
   

   • Use research and knowledge about resident profiles and needs to focus messages and information for differing audiences using a range of channels.
     

7. Standards and Evaluation:
   

   • Support the development and maintenance of standards, procedures, protocols, performance indicators, and ways of evaluating and measuring communications, marketing activity, and media liaison.
     

8. Income Generation:
   

   • Support potential income generation, including sponsorship for council campaigns and events, promotion and coordination of filming locations, and identifying new opportunities.
     

9. Updates and Developments:
   

   • Keep up to date with changes and developments affecting the council and its communications.
     

10. Crisis Communication:
    

    • Support the team in crisis/emergency and high-profile communications.
      
    • Some evening and weekend working may be required.
      

11. Managerial Support:
    

    • Deputise for Managers as needed.
      

Requirements:

• Ability to plan, deliver, and evaluate marketing and communication plans and activities.
  
• Proven project management and organisational skills.
  
• Creative flair and ability to translate business needs into high-impact campaigns and communication programmes.
  
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  
• Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships across a wide range of contacts.
  
• Ability to work under pressure, determine priorities, and progress a variety of tasks.
  
• Team player, able to help deliver team goals.
  
• Politically astute, sensitive, tactful, and diplomatic.
  
• Ability to exercise discretion, judgement, and ensure confidentiality when dealing with members and officers at every level.