*JOB OF THE WEEK* head of communications and engagement, gateshead council

Head of Communications and Engagement

Gateshead Council

Salary range: £73,625 - £83,400.

Contract length: Permanent recruitment

Location: Gateshead/hybrid

Closing date: Sunday 29th June 2025  

Gateshead is at the heart of the north-east, and one of the most vibrant, passionate communities in the UK. Nestled along the River Tyne, and overlooked by the world-class tilting Gateshead Millennium Bridge, we have massive ambition for the future.

 We're looking for a strategic, dynamic Head of Communications & Engagement who can match that ambition and help put communications & engagement at the centre of our work, as we undertake an ambitious plan focused on our local environment, housing development and regenerating one of the country's highest-profile metropolitan boroughs.

 You'll be a confident, ambitious and experienced communications leader, who can win hearts and minds and lead a team of multi-discipline communications staff to ensure our messaging to residents and staff is at the heart of everything we do.

 If you think you're up to the challenge, we want to hear from you.

To Apply

CV’s are to be emailed to Iainburns@gateshead.gov.uk

digital communications lead, east midlands combined county authority

Digital Communications Lead

East Midlands Combined County Authority

Salary: £42,708 – £47,754

Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Ref: 0T855

Closing date: 22nd June

Join us as our Digital Communications Lead and play a creative role in help us engage with the East Midlands community across multiple channels.

Welcome to EMCCA

EMCCA is the UK’s first mayor-led combined county authority. The East Midlands is a great region. But it deserves to be better. Better connected, better funded and better prepared for a future of opportunity, growth, and hope. EMCCA will oversee devolved powers around transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic development, and net zero. We will conceive the strategies and create the connections that will empower local partners, people and businesses – maximising the impact of billions of pounds of funding. Together, our new EMCCA team can put the East Midlands on the map as a place to live, work and study.

Your role in elevating the East Midlands

You will have the opportunity to use your creative skills and experience across multiple channels, including social media, email marketing, SEO and beyond. This includes the planning, delivery and evaluation of our campaigns and messaging. It will be your objective to develop our digital channels to engage key audiences and grow our reach.

This is also a creative role and you will need extensive experience of both photography and videography, as well as post-production editing, to be able to create a range of digital content.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the development of digital channels and technology used by the communications team to deliver successful communications activity that engages key audiences, maximises reach and achieves communications objectives.

• Developing, implementing, tracking and optimising digital marketing campaigns including social media advertising, email marketing, display ads, search engine optimisation (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM) and pay per click (PPC) to ensure digital growth.

• Assisting with the development and maintenance of websites, managing conversion rate optimisation, quality assurance and SEO reviews as necessary.

• Contributing to the development and maintenance of strategy for paid-digital advertising, social media and content

• Scheduling and forward planning of social media posts and digital communications activity

• Creation and editing of digital content, such a video and design.

• Evaluation of all digital marketing, measuring key performance metrics, including website traffic, audience engagement, service quotas, bounce rate and ad spend return on investment

• Advise colleagues across the organisation on the effective use of digital and social media channels in communications

Your profile:

• A relevant degree or equivalent experience

• Skills and experience across marketing, digital communications, planning and evaluation, video creation and editing and photography

• Knowledge of and ability to use appropriate social and digital channels to reach specific audiences and encourage engagement

• Well-developed, proven organisational skills with the ability to manage time effectively, work to tight deadlines, and thrive under pressure.

• Excellent ICT skills - including experience of using Microsoft Office, email marketing software, CMS, digital advertising platforms.

• Strong design and editing skills, with experience in Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud Suite including InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Lightroom and Illustrator

• Knowledge and experience of using social and digital media scheduling tools and systems, analytics, intelligence and event tracking on digital platforms including Google Analytics, Tag manager, Search console, Looker studio and Meta Events Manager.

• Experience of copywriting and proof reading, and excellent attention to detail.

Please note, this post is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the post holder may not have any active political role either in or outside of work.

For more details on EMCCA including our rewards and benefits, please visit: https://eastmidscareers.co.uk

Office location – all roles are based at NGEC, Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 1UT unless stated otherwise.

Please note – at this time EMCCA cannot offer sponsorship. For more details on EMCCA, our rewards and benefits, and to apply, please visit: https://eastmidscareers.co.uk

Closing date: 22nd June

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press and media officer, east midlands combined county authority

Press and Media Officer

East Midlands Combined County Authority

Salary: £37,938 - £42,708

Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Ref: OT809

Closing date: 22nd June

Join us as Press and Media Officer and play a key role in helping us effectively communicate with our residents and the media, shaping and enhancing the profile and reputation of EMCCA. 

Welcome to EMCCA

EMCCA is the UK’s first mayor-led combined county authority. The East Midlands is a great region. But it deserves to be better. Better connected, better funded and better prepared for a future of opportunity, growth, and hope. EMCCA will oversee devolved powers around transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic development, and net zero. We will conceive the strategies and create the connections that will empower local partners, people and businesses – maximising the impact of billions of pounds of funding. Together, our new EMCCA team can put the East Midlands on the map as a place to live, work and study.

Your role in elevating the East Midlands  

A key member of the busy and dynamic Communications team, you will be responsible for  responding to, and help shape, the daily news agenda. This includes writing press releases, responding to media requests, monitoring coverage and spotting opportunities for the Mayor and EMCCA to make an impact.

In this politically restricted post, your overall objective will be to raise the profile of the Mayor and EMCCA, informing the media, public and partners about the ways in which the organisation is working to improve lives in the East Midlands.

Key responsibilities include:

• Playing a key role in delivering reactive and proactive press and media for EMCCA and the Mayor of the East Midlands.

• Forming strong relationships with journalists while raising the profile of EMCCA and the East Midlands Mayor.

• Promoting the work and successes of the Mayor and EMCCA to key audiences through the media, including writing press releases, social media copy and op-ed articles.

• Monitoring the media and political landscape to inform responses to events and provide sound, timely advice to the Mayoral Office and colleagues.

• Identifying upcoming opportunities and reputational risks, while responding to and shaping the daily news agenda.

• Developing the communications and media approach based on the media agenda and priorities of the Mayor and EMCCA

• Facilitating press conferences and manage the media during interviews with local, regional and national journalists.

• Evaluating and monitor media success and coverage.

Your profile:

• A degree or equivalent experience in a relevant subject area (e.g. PR, journalism, media or English)

• Experience of planning and delivering integrated communications campaigns across a range of channels including print, digital, events and PR

• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to generate compelling content,  turn complex information into easy to relatable

• Excellent news generation skills with ability to show examples of projects that created impact.

• Practical experience in a busy and fast-paced press office, agency and/or political or news environment, with experience balancing juggling priorities and working to tight deadlines.

• Experience of working with social media and digital content.

• Experience in forming and developing effective working relationships internally and externally to achieve the best outcomes for the organisation.

• Proven track record of delivering against targets with the ability to work under pressure.

• A passion and understanding for news, media and the 24/7 rolling agenda, as well as an understanding of the complexities of the political landscape

Please note, this post is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the post holder may not have any active political role either in or outside of work.

For more details on EMCCA including our rewards and benefits, please visit: https://eastmidscareers.co.uk

Office location – all roles are based at NGEC, Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 1UT unless stated otherwise.

Please note – at this time EMCCA cannot offer sponsorship. For more details on EMCCA, our rewards and benefits, and to apply, please visit: https://eastmidscareers.co.uk

Closing date: 22nd June

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digital communications assistant, east midlands combined county authority

Digital Communications Assistant

East Midlands Combined County Authority

Salary: £29,093 – £30,559

Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Ref: OT808

Closing date: 22nd June

A great opportunity to join our Communications team and help us deliver our digital campaigns across a variety of channels.

Welcome to EMCCA

EMCCA is the UK’s first mayor-led combined county authority. The East Midlands is a great region. But it deserves to be better. Better connected, better funded and better prepared for a future of opportunity, growth, and hope. EMCCA will oversee devolved powers around transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic development, and net zero. We will conceive the strategies and create the connections that will empower local partners, people and businesses – maximising the impact of billions of pounds of funding. Together, our new EMCCA team can put the East Midlands on the map as a place to live, work and study.

Your role in elevating the East Midlands  

You will help to deliver a range of digital and online communications including social media and video content, ensuring our channels are a source of timely, accurate, and relevant information for our audiences.

The role includes the monitoring and updating of our social media channels, including creating content, videos, photos, and other materials for our digital and online platforms. You will also help to build our reputation by supporting communications colleges to find creative and engaging way of promoting our news, key messages, and achievements through our digital channels.

Key responsibilities include:

• The monitoring and management of EMCCA’s social media channels, providing responses to messages and monitoring comments and engagements.

• Working with the Digital Communications Officer and other colleagues in Communications team to post and schedule social media posts and ensure a digital presence is part of any campaign.

• Carrying out filming and editing of video content for social channels.

• Attending events and providing photographs and content that can used to support the activity of the Communications service.

• Supporting the Communications team in the delivery of the communications and marketing strategy linked to EMCCA priorities and Corporate Plan.

• Helping develop and update the EMCCA website.

• Using analytics and sentiment to improve content across our social media channels and support the production of monthly reports on how channels and campaigns are performing

• Keeping up to date with developments in digital and social media, as well as emerging platforms and tools which EMCCA may benefit from using.

Your profile:

• Relevant A-levels or equivalent with vocational training in a relevant subject.

• Knowledge of digital media platforms, including social media and video, and their analytical tools

• Good video creation / editing and photography skills

• Good understanding of systems including Word, Excel and databases

• Knowledge of social media monitoring/listening

• Experience of planning and using a wide range of digital communications techniques to ensure messages and information reach a wide range of audiences.

• Experience of working with a team to deliver digital campaigns and handing enquiries and complaints via social media.

• Experience of scheduling social media content and optimising for different channels and platforms.

• Experience of creating and briefing design materials that support digital content and campaigns – using software such as Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud.

• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage time effectively, work to tight deadlines, and thrive under pressure.

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required and able to travel throughout the region.

Please note, this post is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the post holder may not have any active political role either in or outside of work.

For more details on EMCCA including our rewards and benefits, please visit: https://eastmidscareers.co.uk

Office location – all roles are based at NGEC, Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 1UT unless stated otherwise.

Please note – at this time EMCCA cannot offer sponsorship. For more details on EMCCA, our rewards and benefits, and to apply, please visit: https://eastmidscareers.co.uk

Closing date: 22nd June

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communications manager – place, sandwell council

Communications Manager – Place

Sandwell Council

Salary: Director: £53,885 - £57,195 per annum

Contract Type: Full time – Permanent

Hours: Full time – 37 hours per week

Location: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Closing date: 9 June 2025

Join us at this exciting time as we build on our rapid improvements made over the last few years and set our sights on becoming an outstanding council.

In this role you will play a key part in leading our communications team and delivering effective campaigns and guidance to support the achievement of council priorities, aims and objectives.

Deliver innovation and improvement that maximises the impact of communications

Our organisation has been on a successful journey of change over the last three years. We have made huge progress in service delivery for the residents of Sandwell, a vibrant Black Country community with a young, diverse and rapidly growing population.

A strategic communications service is critical to the next phase of our development, as we focus on embedding a culture of continuous improvement, embracing transformational change, and becoming a modern, efficient, agile and highly customer-focused organisation. You will work with our Head of Communications to maximise the effectiveness and impact of our communications service provision, ensuring it is aligned with our organisational-wide commitment to modernisation and innovation.

Your role

Bringing fresh thinking and new ideas, you will play a proactive and influential role in managing our communications team and resources across the council. Key responsibilities include:

·  Leading on all communications activity within Place directorate – to support the delivery of council objectives and priorities.

·  Embedding a campaign-led approach to communications, working with the Head of Communications to deliver a strategic communications service that measures impact and learns lessons.

·  Taking a forward-thinking approach to planning communications to create, update and maintain an organisational narrative that can be deployed tactically to optimum effect.

·  Developing and maintaining a clear forward plan for communications and resident engagement.

·  Adopting a collaborative, supportive, challenging and hands on approach to providing advice, support and guidance to senior leaders.

·  Bringing an impactful approach to wide-raging aspects of communications such as stakeholder management, media relations, audience research/mapping and behavioural change.

·  Acting as a role model within the team for effective communications, and for the council’s values and behaviours.

Your profile

·  Educated to degree level and qualified to Chartered Institute of Marketing Level 4 or Chartered Institute of Public Relations Level 4 (or demonstrable relevant experience).

·  A proven record of working in a complex environment, including experience of advising senior leaders, negotiating with stakeholders and planning services within a political and partnership context.

·  Experience of leading employees and allocating workloads.

·  Experience of negotiating and consulting with internal and external stakeholders

·  Knowledge of campaign planning frameworks and a passion for creating meaningful narratives and delivering communications activities that make a tangible difference.

·  A well-developed understanding of the workings of a local authority and how it operates at a corporate and community level.

·  The ability to motivate, influence and inspire others through positive relationship-building, your commitment to excellence and your desire to gain the best possible outcomes for residents.

·  An understanding / previous experience of marketing communications is desirable.

Our hybrid working involves a minimum two days a week in the office. There will be a requirement to travel to attend meetings, including public meetings and occasional working outside normal hours.

Apply now

For more information, and to apply, please contact Osborne Thomas at sandwell@osbornethomas.org or call 020 3280 3671.

Closing date: 9th June

external communications officer (x 2), wakefield council

External Communications Officer (x 2)

Wakefield Council

Salary: £31,067 – £33,366 (Grade 7)

Full-time

Hybrid working

Closing date: 22 June

Ready to make an impact?
We’re looking for two talented communications professionals to join our award-winning team at Wakefield Council.

You’ll be part of a team that’s proud to champion our diverse communities, promote local services, and tell stories that matter; from funky food festivals and world-class sculpture, to vital campaigns on health, wellbeing, and community support.

About the role

This is a varied role where no two days are the same. One minute you’ll be launching a cross-platform campaign, the next drafting a sharp press release or creating social content that cuts through.

You’ll work across the Council to:

• plan and deliver campaigns that drive real results

• create engaging content for web, social and media

• spot and shape stories that shine a light on Wakefield’s people and places

• support stakeholder engagement

Who we’re looking for

We’re after experienced, well-rounded communicators. People who know their way around a campaign plan and can roll their sleeves up to deliver great content.

You’ll bring a solid set of core comms skills, such as writing for different platforms, developing creative content, managing media queries, and running social media. But more importantly, you’ll be a natural project manager: organised, digitally confident, and able to see a campaign through from idea to impact.

We’re looking for:

• a communications all-rounder with a track record of making things happen

• strong writing and content creation skills – across web, social, print and more

• someone who’s digitally savvy, with a good eye for what works online

• a creative thinker who can turn a brief into bold ideas

• confidence to lead on projects and show the results they deliver

You don’t need to have done it all, but if you’ve led on comms projects, delivered real outcomes, and are excited by the idea of using communications to make a difference, we want to hear from you.

What we offer

When you join our team, you’ll have the opportunity to shape how we communicate.  You’ll be a part of influencing the perception of our Council while working alongside a supportive and collaborative team.

We are committed to a great work life balance and have a strong focus on equality, diversity and inclusion. You’ll received a generous annual leave entitlement, alongside a range of other employee benefits like public transport and gym memberships discounts. We offer competitive pay, great benefits, and a work environment that fosters creativity and growth.

If this is something you’re interested in, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information you can contact Jane Gardner-Florence, External Communications Manager on jgardnerflorence@wakefield.gov.uk

Shortlisting for this post will take place w/c 16 June. And interviews will be held on Thu 4 and Fri 5 July.

MORE INFORMATION AND APPLY