Communications Officer

Job description

To provide a high quality communications service for key council activities, including campaign planning and delivery, press and public relations, advertising, and corporate internal and change communications.

To contribute to the effective teamwork of the Communications Service.

In conjunction with the designated manager and as part of council wide corporate Communications Service work, to contribute to the delivery of an effective, efficient, value for money Communications Service.

To work with the designated manager and colleagues to prepare, implement, monitor, review and evaluate communications campaigns, plans and activities (both internal and external) for key council priorities and other work which may be done as traded activity.

To work to ensure that the service’s business plan, and any associated plans and strategies are delivered.

To work with the designated manager and colleagues to ensure that communications campaigns, plans and activities are delivered on time and on budget.

To manage communication projects and teams as required, and to be responsible for full evaluation of campaigns to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and learning and development within campaigns work and the broader team.

To help deliver the council’s Communications Strategy, and campaigns within the agreed corporate communications plans (both internal and external) as well as others allocated under the service’s traded work.

To ensure that agreed service level standards and targets and agreed campaigns outcomes are met.

As part of campaigns delivery and in order to achieve campaign outcomes, or when otherwise required, to gain positive media coverage for key council campaigns, priorities and services by developing and preparing media releases, photo opportunities, features, media briefs and handling reactive media enquiries.

To manage the appropriate tools, channels and events (as required) to ensure the successful delivery of communications work (both internal and external).

To contribute to the development and dissemination of key corporate messages and information, in association with key colleagues, ensuring they support and reflect the Council’s priorities

To work closely with colleagues to develop the council’s web, intranet sites and other digital and social media channels.

To provide communications advice to colleagues, change programme directors, Executive Directors and other senior officers and elected members, continuously seeking ways to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of that communication.

To share best practice and provide information to colleagues within the Communications Service for broader dissemination and learning.

To maintain up-to-date expertise and skills across the full range of communications activities and be responsible for continuous professional development and to contribute to the design, delivery and evaluation of communications training for key spokespeople and partners.

To deputise for the designated manager as and when agreed.

Any other related duties and responsibilities as may arise.

The post holder will be required to work flexibly. Some out of hours work may be required.

To undertake all duties and responsibilities in line with current Council Policies and Procedures, including those relating to health and safety; equalities, diversity and inclusion; safeguarding procedures; financial instructions; procurement and commissioning.

To undertake any other duties in agreement with the post holder and manager. Significant changes that may affect the role and responsibilities of the post or the job description would be managed through an agreed process in consultation with the Trade Unions.

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may resul