Communications Officer

Job Purpose

• Engage and connect with a dispersed workforce that is office-based, remote and hybrid
• Create and produce clear, compelling communications with strong calls to action, to help support the Transformation Plan, the Culture Change programme and the Council and City Plans
• Showcase compelling, creative, authentic content which boosts engagement across channels to drive next level performance
• Produce purpose-driven content and engagement that embeds the Councils vision and values into strategies to motivate employees and deliver long-term engagement
• Work closely with the HR & L&D teams to help promote vacancies, staff learning opportunities
• Work closely with OH and the Wellbeing team to promote staff networks, wellbeing services and organisational values as part of organisational change
• To support the Internal & Sector Relations Manager in the maintenance of excellent working relationships with chief officers, their leadership teams, portfolio members, and external partners, to ensure the delivery of high-quality communication advice, strategy, products and research
• To draw upon research to ensure the delivery of advice and support
• To create high-quality written material, concepts and advice, specifically articles, blogs, news releases, advertising copy, radio copy, advice notes and summaries of research
• To carry out research as necessary in the support of communication outcomes
• To provide challenge and innovative thinking that will ensure the delivery of key strategic outcomes
• To support the development and provide overall editorial control to key communication channels as agreed
• To always act in ways that enhance the reputation of the City Council and the City of Liverpool

Directly Responsible For:

Nobody

Directly Responsible To:

Internal & Sector Relations Manager

Main Areas of Responsibility:

• Support the Leader, Cabinet, members, CMT and other stakeholders through the provision of communication strategies, advice and compelling content
• Provide support to the Internal & Sector Relations Manager in delivering Liverpool City Councils aims, core values and business objectives
• Create high-quality written materials, concepts and advice, specifically articles, blogs, news releases and social media copy
• Build relationships with members, corporate management team, staff and local partners
• Craft and produce compelling video, graphic assets and podcasts
• To contribute to the effective delivery of the Communications teams objectives of internal communications.
• To assist in the strategic support to Management team, elected members and portfolio members through the provision of communication strategies, products, advice and channels to key audiences
• To provide support to the Internal & Sector Relations Manager in the provision of management and leadership action to deliver Liverpool City Council aims, core values and business objectives
• To develop the City Councils commitment to equal opportunities and to promote non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken

Supervision and Management Responsibility:

• No supervisory responsibilities
• Being fully accountable for managing the Councils resources well and complying with statutory requirements. This includes managing time, avoiding unnecessary waste, reuse and recycle resources to reduce personal impact.
• Drive for social value through all activities, ensuring wider social, economic and environmental benefits for the Council, residents and communities
• Some outdoor working will be required when organising site visits or other external engagement sessions

Corporate Responsibility:

• Contribute to the delivery of the Council Plan
• Delivering and promoting excellent customer service, externally and internally
• Commitment to customer excellence by dealing with customer feedback, including complaints, and learning from feedback in the drive for continuous improvement
• Making the council a great place to work, living the councils values, actively engaging in regular communications including team meetings, undertaking training as required and being responsible for managing own performance
• Develop the City Councils commitment to equal opportunities and to promote non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken
• To ensure that all work functions are undertaken in accordance with health and safety legislation, codes of practice and the City Councils safety plan

Competency Framework:

We operate a competency framework, a set of core behaviours which define how we are expected to approach our work, how we perform in certain situations and how we treat each other. Each competency details the standards of behaviours and skills required by all staff and this in turn supports delivery of our aim and our council plans linking them together with our values.

Person Specification

Assessment methods used: I = Interview, P = Presentation, A = Application, E = Exercise, T = Test, AC = Assessment Centre

Qualification and training
Essential

• Degree relevant qualification, or comparable experience communications (A,I)

Desirable

• Qualifications/training that demonstrate computer literacy

Experience
Essential

• Substantial experience of working in a comparable role in communications (A,I)

Skills/Abilities
Essential

• High level organisational skills and attention to detail (A,I)
• Professional telephone manner and verbal communication skills (A,I)
• Experience of using content management systems such as Umbraco, SharePoint (A,I)
• Understanding of communications with employees (internal communications) (A,I)

Desirable

• Ability to approach communications from a customer/audience perspective
• A self-starter with a high level of initiative and the abilities to act independently
• Working outside traditional working hours at times
• Ability and enthusiasm to get involved in the wider work of the team
• Creative flair
• A passion for, and deep knowledge, of modern communications methods, including digital communication

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