Communications Officer

Primary Purpose of Job

This role sits within the newly created Corporate & Support Services Directorate, and you will be working in one of the three functional areas. (Citizen focus, Business support or Finance)

You will be responsible for collaborating with our delivery teams and stakeholders to support delivery of the Council’s corporate communications and marketing functions and processes and support adherence to our policy and legislative duties. Your role will include responsibility for ensuring organisation wide compliance across a range of functions related to Councils statutory duties as appropriate.

You will be planning and implementing strategic communications, marketing and media relations programmes and campaigns to promote Council services, project, initiatives, ensuring a positive profile for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Your role will include ensuring processes are followed, deadlines are met, processing information and data, report writing, resolving issues and managing relationships. You may be attending events, and meeting with stakeholders and partners from across local government and beyond to support the achievement of Council priorities. The post holder will be expected to be flexible and adaptable to meet the changing needs and requirements of the organisation and duties and responsibilities may vary without changing the purpose of the job or level of responsibility.

Main Duties

1. Support the Communications Team in relation to all media relations activity, upholding and protecting the image and reputation of Council and ensuring compliance with Council policy and guidelines including drafting social media posts, identifying positive news stories.

2. Provide a photography and videography service in relation to projects, corporate programmes, or issues that arise.

3. Deal with press enquiries and comments received in relation to Council activities and ensure they are brought to the attention of the relevant officers, ensuring an appropriate and timely response is provided.

4. Generate high-quality, well-designed digital marketing collateral and evaluate the effectiveness of digital communications channels.

5. Support all media invitations on behalf of Council and any media familiarisation trips or similar opportunities as they arise.

6. Provide media advice, support and training to management and staff, including inputting to media briefings, training materials and presentations as required.

7. Develop high quality content in all relevant formats and update online communications, maintaining Council’s social media profiles in support of Council services, projects, initiatives, and wider strategies, including the department’s intranet, website and social media channels ensuring online platforms are monitored and back-end systems and processes are appropriately maintained.

8. Monitor social media analytics to track performance metrics, analyse campaign effectiveness and provide insights for continuous improvement purposes to include regular reporting on media impact.

9. Source best value and cost options for marketing campaigns, publications, printing, promotional materials, branding, graphic design, signage, liaising internally and externally to source and provide advice and guidance as required.

10. Effectively handle emerging social media issues and carry out crisis communications as necessary, in conjunction with management and communications staff.

11. Attend Council and Committee meetings as required.

12. Provide support for a range of events, public awareness messaging and any other internal and external communications projects as required.

13. Manage the Council brand internally and externally to ensure a consistent and high standard approach. Manage the Council brand in line with ongoing updates of brand guidelines. Develop concepts and artwork creation on brand/sub brand style. Manage brand presence e.g. large-scale events; workwear; council facilities.

14. Develop, design, and edit Council publications e.g. Connections Magazine from concept through to publication, monitoring performance and current news to generate content ideas for future issues.

15. Keep up to date and ensure compliance with legislation, policy and guidance relevant to your role in Council.

16. Provide financial and risk management support to line manager and team and assist in financial and risk management processes and monitoring and maintaining financial and risk management records.

17. Undertake any other duties which may be required in line with the level of the post as required.

18. Ensure correspondence, systems and records are always maintained with confidentiality and discretion and following GDPR.

Closing caveat:

The responsibilities set out in this document, in the advert and any additional information are intended to provide a representation of the work you will carry out. It is not possible to include everything you will be asked to undertake, and we expect all colleagues to work flexibly according to business needs and to embrace the opportunities offered by Council to enhance your own development. Your skills, abilities and training needs will be considered and discussed with you when any significant changes to your role are needed. In line with our flexible approach, you may be required to work from home for a proportion of your time or from any of the Council's sites across the Borough.

The Council values the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and, as an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from individuals across all aspects of our community. We will support you where you need it by implementing reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform your role.

Qualifications and training

A degree in any discipline.

Experience

2 years’ experience of working effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders to support achievement of organisational outcomes.

2 years’ experience working in a communications, marketing or public relations role.

2 years’ experience of developing and delivering successful targeted communications, public relations and marketing campaigns designed to engage a wide audience, delivering and evaluating results against clear objectives.

2 years’ experience of effective use of social media and online media management to deliver positive outcomes for an organisation.

Alternatively, if you do not have a degree you should demonstrate 4 years’ experience in each of these areas.

Transport

A full current driving licence valid in the UK and access to a vehicle OR have access to a form of transport that enables you to carry out the duties of the post[i].

[i] Applies only to applicants who have a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Working arrangements/ Flexibility

37 hours per week Monday – Friday. The post holder may be required to work outside of normal office hours as required.