Programme Communications Officer

at  Essex County Council

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Working alongside the Communications Manager to develop strategic documents and presentations, effectively communicating the value of our initiatives.
• Create and manage content for social media, newsletters, websites, and other communication channels, ensuring alignment with our digital strategy and brand guidelines.
• Engage and interact with stakeholders, communicating the value of our initiatives and fostering strong relationships.
• Develop and manage marketing campaigns and social media strategies, with a focus on paid advertising on LinkedIn and Facebook.
• Manage and respond to customer enquiries from members of the public and external stakeholders, ensuring timely and accurate communication.
• Regular travel across Essex to attend and represent Digital Essex at various events, to interact face-to-face with members of the public and stakeholders. This will include some evening and weekend engagements.
• Assist with governance activities such as project meetings, programme boards, and steering boards. Undertake routine administrative tasks to support the programme’s governance and operations.
• Perform other ad hoc tasks related to communications, engagement, and project management as required to support the overall objectives of Digital Essex.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Educated to diploma/degree level or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional areas, particularly in communications and marketing.
• Advanced skills in written and in-person communication. Confident in engaging with a broad variety of stakeholders at different levels via a range of channels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint at an intermediate level. An understanding of other relevant software applications such as image or video editing or mapping software is beneficial.
• Competent user of social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook) and scheduling platforms (e.g. Hootsuite). Experience in social media and website analytics.
• Experience of working with brand guidelines when creating communications materials. Ability to work creatively and effectively, managing a range of complex situations and issues; highly organised with good attention to detail.
• Proven experience in creating and managing paid advertising campaigns on LinkedIn and Facebook.
• Ability to travel across Essex to engage with stakeholders and attend events, including some evening and weekend work.
• Understands how to plan events, including engaging stakeholders, organising venues, and liaising with attendees on the day.
• Familiarity with project management principles and practices, with the ability to support project activities and governance.
• Previous experience working with community groups, voluntary organisations, or in public sector roles, enhancing stakeholder engagement and outreach efforts is desirable.
  To read more about us please visit: Economy, Investment and Public Health
  Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
  Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us.
  Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
  We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service