Communications Officer (Press Office)

at  BCP Council

Job Introduction
From housing to health, social care to schools and finances to fly-tipping, we work with the media on a huge range of stories that matter to our residents, visitors, businesses and communities.
We’re looking for a talented and tenacious Communications Officer to join our busy press office, to respond to enquires, react to the news agenda and proactively push out positive stories.
You’ll be a PR professional or journalist who can spot a good story, make the most of the current news agenda, spot opportunities and identify reputational risks. We also want someone who can take a proactive and creative approach to PR and build positive and constructive relationships with local, regional and national journalists.
You’ll enjoy talking to people and be as happy picking up the phone or on email. You’ll provide Officers and Councillors with communications advice, making sure we get the right message, to the right people, at the right time.
This is an opportunity to be part of a passionate and committed communications team at an exciting time for BCP Council. The work is professionally stimulating: the challenges are real, but so are the opportunities and our determination to succeed.
Confident and adept in dealing with breaking news stories across different channels you will need the ability to think on your feet, remain calm under pressure, prioritise and make informed decisions drawing on your communications experience. You will help deliver proactive media relations activities, plan and secure coverage and support colleagues across the team, which means there will be a requirement to work some weekends and evenings as part of the team’s out of hours rota.
The role requires a communications qualification (or equivalent experience) with recent relevant experience. Experience of working with the media is essential as well as excellent writing skills. We aspire to produce compelling, multi-media communications, so basic photo and video editing would be an advantage.
If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, have a keen news sense and can translate policy into punchy and compelling stories, then we’d love to hear from you.

ROLE PURPOSE

A tactical and operational communications role that will help to deliver campaigns to support the organisation’s priorities. This will include producing and/or managing production of targeted content for external and internal audiences, including engaging written work for online and print, and creative visual and video content. Responsive communications is also key, alongside the ability to defend and promote the councils’ position on a range of topics and issues. The post-holder will contribute to the management and development of a variety of communications channels, including social media and websites.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with the team to develop and deliver impactful, audience-focused communications activities
• Work with the wider team to contribute to the development, monitoring and management of communication channels, including web and social media content
• Monitoring the performance and effectiveness of communications projects and materials, by gathering and analysing audience engagement through analytics and qualitative means
• Produce, issue and publish media releases, responsive statements and quotes, social media content, and other materials including web content and email newsletters.
• Advise managers on proactive and reactive communications activities, attending meetings where required to advise and update
• Monitor and evaluate media coverage, and advise on possible responses to inaccuracy.
• Must prioritise discharging the council’s warning and informing duties, as part of the team’s incident response requirements