Senior Communications Officer

Job Purpose:

To lead on communications from Southwark Council and its partners on Planning and Growth, including strategy, planning and delivery, covering all communications disciplines including campaigns, digital, marketing and media.

Job Context:

The Senior Communications Officer is the Organization's lead for all communications on Planning and Growth. The Senior Communications Officer will work closely with relevant Directors, Cabinet Members and service heads and liaise closely with the wider communications team, including the media and campaigns teams and events officer, to ensure well-planned, creative and effective communications.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Lead on communications for Planning and Growth (includes investment in major local projects like health centres and leisure centres, Southwark’s employment support services, and town centres).
• Lead on strategic communcations planning and relationships for both areas both internally eg with Cabinet, Directors and service heads, and externally eg with development partners, Transport for London and housing associations.
• Deliver excellent communications to local people and stakeholders on Planning and Growth projects across all communications disciplines.
• Work closely with the wider communications team to ensure accurate and consistent messaging across all channels including digital and media.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Significant experience of providing direct advice and briefing to senior managers and/or elected members on communications.
• Significant experience of working in a highly pressured environment and delivering results to tight deadlines.
• Experience of working with the media, both proactively pitching stories and managing inquiries and issues
• Experience of using insight and data to create communications plans and evaluate results.
• Experience and understanding of how to handle communications for a business, organisation, public sector or third sector body in a crisis.
• A good understanding of local government, the services provided by local councils, and the responsibilities a council has to its residents
• Excellent writing skills with a clear, concise and lively prose style, and the ability to write clearly for a range of different audiences.
• Excellent oral communications skills and the ability to maintain effective relationships at every level of an organisation.

Pay Rates - £300.00 (Umbrella)

Work Type - Hybrid (Minimum of 2 days in Office)

Location - 160, Tooley Street, Southwark, London. SE1 2QH