Communications Officer - Fixed term for up to 12 months

About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in enhancing the reputation of the council and ensuring residents are accurately informed of key projects and initiatives. Working closely with senior officers and councillors, you will provide transparent, positive, proactive and responsive communications via press and publicity, social media, website channels and our residents’ and internal digital newsletters for which you will write and edit content. You will monitor and evaluate the council’s social media accounts and identify and act on positive PR opportunities and national and local conversations when planning and devising content for all digital and print, including arranging media photo calls and events, and attending high profile events when required.

You will use: your communications expertise to advise officers and councillors on all aspects of media and public relations including reputation management; and your engaging persona to build and sustain effective relationships with the media and partner organisations, always responding in a helpful and timely manner.

This post is politically restricted.

About you
A degree or equivalent qualification / experience in a relevant subject is essential, as is the requirement to have excellent written and verbal communication skills. With proven experience in a challenging communications environment, you will have a strong knowledge of managing social media accounts and working effectively with the media. You will need to be organised, prioritise issues at a moment’s notice and keep a cool head when managing challenging deadlines and conflicting priorities.

Experience of scheduling / writing / publishing content on the web and in print for the public or significant target readership; using social media platforms; and creating photographic/video material for websites and social media channels is essential; as is the ability to plan, prioritise and co-ordinate your own work.
A background of working in the public sector or similar multi-functional environment would be an advantage.

A knowledge of process development would be helpful, as would an understanding of power apps, power automation and Microsoft 365 packages such as Power BI and a general knowledge of current web technologies, trends and Gov.uk design principles.

Click on the link to find out more about Working at East Devon District Council

For further details of the role please see the attached Job Pack