Senior Communications Officer – AR

Job Details

Job Description: Senior Communications Officer

Job Title:

Senior Communications Officer

Grade:

Officer / Senior Officer level

Service Area:

Communications and Engagement

Responsible to:

Communications Manager / Head of Communications

Job Purpose

To lead the planning and delivery of communications activity for a defined portfolio of work, translating organisational and communications strategies into effective, audience-focused delivery across multiple channels. The postholder will support the delivery of high-quality communications campaigns, manage media relations activity, and contribute to stakeholder and public engagement across the organisation. The role also involves supporting and guiding junior communications staff to ensure consistent and effective delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Delivery

  • Develop and implement communications plans aligned to organisational priorities and service objectives
  • Translate strategic priorities into clear, targeted communications activity and campaigns
  • Ensure consistent messaging across internal and external communications channels

Media Relations & Reputation Management

  • Prepare and issue press releases and media statements
  • Manage day-to-day media enquiries and support reactive communications
  • Build and maintain effective relationships with journalists and media outlets
  • Support reputational management and crisis communications where required

Campaigns & Content Delivery

  • Plan and deliver multi-channel communications campaigns across digital, print, and social media
  • Produce high-quality content including news stories, web copy, newsletters, and digital assets
  • Ensure communications are audience-focused, accessible, and engaging

Stakeholder & Internal Engagement

  • Engage effectively with internal teams, senior leaders, and external stakeholders
  • Develop communications materials to support staff engagement and organisational priorities
  • Support public-facing engagement activity and consultation exercises

Digital Communications

  • Manage and update website content using CMS platforms (e.g. WordPress, Umbraco or equivalent)
  • Manage social media channels and grow audience engagement
  • Use analytics to evaluate performance and improve communications effectiveness

Team Support & Delivery

  • Support and guide junior communications officers in delivery of work
  • Contribute to quality assurance of communications outputs
  • Assist in prioritising workload across a defined portfolio

Experience Required

  • Proven experience delivering communications activity at a senior officer level
  • Experience developing and implementing communications plans and campaigns
  • Strong background in media relations, including writing press releases and handling media enquiries
  • Experience working within a government, local authority, housing, NHS, or other politically sensitive environment
  • Experience managing multi-channel communications including digital, social media, and internal communications

Skills & Knowledge

  • Strong strategic communications planning ability
  • Excellent written communication and content creation skills
  • Proven media handling and reputation management capability
  • Strong stakeholder engagement and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities within a defined portfolio
  • Understanding of digital communications tools and analytics

Personal Attributes

  • Politically aware and able to handle sensitive communications appropriately
  • Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
  • Collaborative team player with ability to support others
  • Proactive, creative, and audience-focused approach