*JOB OF THE WEEK* deputy external communications business partner, central bedfordshire council

Deputy External Communications Business Partner

Central Bedfordshire Council

Job Family: Providing - CBG12

Salary: £43,920 - £48,872 per annum pro rata

Hours: 37 hours per week, includes one week in four out of hours duty cover

Location: You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month

Contract Type: Hybrid - Permanent 

Closing Date: 14th July 2025

Interview Date: w/c 28th July 2025

 About the role:

Are you a passionate and experienced communicator looking for a role where your work can truly make a difference? We’re seeking a dynamic External Communications professional to join our Communications and Consultation team.

In this role, you'll help promote and explain our services while ensuring residents are well-informed about changes—some of which are sensitive and complex. Your work will directly shape the way we engage with the community and strengthen public trust.

You'll support the External Communications Business Partner in managing a busy, multi-channel team to develop and implement effective communication strategies to support council priorities and services.

Working within a busy multi channel team - 

• you will have experience of supporting and advising services, senior leaders and elected members on a range of communications activity, ensuring clarity, consistency and alignment with corporate priorities.

• experience in developing and delivering effective and sometimes complex communication plans and campaigns across multiple channels, all tailored to diverse audiences.

• proven experience of writing engaging, high-quality content for internal and external platforms, including press releases, web copy, social media (for business use), and staff communications.

• contributing to creative input and developing digital content to ensure communications are timely, accessible, on brand, and audience-focused.

• the ability to respond to media enquiries with professionalism and accuracy, helping to protect and promote the council’s reputation.

• you will be able to advise on complex or sensitive issues, using sound judgement to manage reputational risks and support our senior leaders.

• driven to identify and develop new communication approaches and channels to improve reach and engagement.

• proven experience of building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, particularly when managing difficult or high-profile issues.

• excellent writing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt tone and style for different audiences.

• a high attention to detail and sound judgement in ensuring communications are appropriate to their audience and effective.

• ability to deputise for the Communications Business Partner as required, supporting team coordination and assiting with strategic priorities.

You will also lead on high-profile media relations, crisis communications, and reputation management.

It is important you are an experienced communications professional with excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills to work closely with our councillors, senior officers, and external partners.

Our Offer

We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our Rewards and Benefits page

Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer.  We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.

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You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this Recruitment Pack.

Our Competency Framework and Qualification Guidance are to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack.

For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: Karen Aspinall, Head of Communications and Consultations at karen.aspinall@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk  or call 0300 300 6286.

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To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline.

Our National Careers Service team offer a free weekly workshop covering CV writing and how to complete the statement sections of the Central Bedfordshire Council online application form. This MS Teams workshop is open to anyone from the UK and lasts around 1.5 hours.  Please book your place here.

More information about this service can be found here: Support getting into work or learning | Central Bedfordshire Council

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*JOB OF THE WEEK* digital and e-communications officer, coventry city council

Digital and E-Communications Officer

Coventry City Council

Salary: Grade 5: £27,711 – £33,366

One Year Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

Closing date: Thursday 17 July

Shape digital communications for Coventry

Join Coventry City Council's Communications Team as a Digital and E-Communications Officer on a one-year fixed term contract to cover maternity leave. You'll manage our online presence and help make public services more accessible to our diverse community.

What you'll do

• Manage website and social media content using our Content Management System

• Ensure all content meets editorial standards and accessibility requirements

• Provide training and support to council departments on web content creation

• Develop online forms and digital solutions to improve service delivery

• Create usage reports and analytics to drive continuous improvement

What we're looking for

• Experience editing and presenting complex information in user-friendly formats

• Strong web authoring skills and understanding of HTML

• Excellent written communication skills with ability to use plain English

• Proficiency with content management systems and Microsoft packages

• Experience creating and maintaining social media content

• Knowledge of government standards for local authority websites and accessibility legislation

• Ability to deliver training to groups with mixed technical abilities

• Confidence with various communication methods including social media

Why Join Us?

Work in a supportive environment where your skills directly impact how residents access vital council services. This role offers excellent opportunities for professional development and the chance to drive digital innovation in local government.

Application deadline: Thursday 17 July Interview date: Thursday 24 July

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communications and marketing manager - place, luton council

Communications and Marketing Manager - Place

Luton Council

Salary: £45,718 - £48,710 a year plus £3,203 car benefit allowance

Hours per week: 37

Contract type: Permanent

Job number: LBC04024

Closing Date: 8 July 2025

We’re looking for an experienced and creative Communications and Marketing Manager to lead on the promotion of our borough and key council services within the “Place” portfolio. This exciting role sits at the heart of our dynamic Communications and Marketing Team, responsible for managing a diverse portfolio and leading high-profile campaigns that make a real impact on local communities.

You will drive forward a strategic and creative programme of work that showcases our inclusive growth ambitions, from neighbourhood development and skills to sustainability, arts, and culture. With a strong emphasis on delivering well-planned, multi-channel campaigns, you will lead project teams across marketing, digital, design, and media disciplines to influence public perceptions, drive behaviour change, and support council priorities.

Acting as a senior point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including partner organisations, you’ll play a key role in shaping the council’s narrative and ensuring consistent, effective communication across all platforms. You’ll also support the Head of Communications and Marketing to identify service priorities, deliver business-critical projects, and provide expert insight and advice to senior leaders and elected members.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

About you

You’ll bring a wealth of experience in delivering innovative and effective communications and marketing strategies that align with broader service goals. You’re confident leading end-to-end campaigns, managing multiple priorities, and using your in-depth knowledge of place marketing to influence audiences and drive results.

Your ability to lead and inspire project teams is matched by your hands-on approach to campaign delivery. You’ll be highly skilled in client and stakeholder management, using strong interpersonal and negotiation skills to secure buy-in and guide collaborative projects to success. You are comfortable working under pressure, managing competing demands, and ensuring high standards at every stage.

An excellent communicator, you’ll be able to present complex information clearly and compellingly to a range of audiences. You’ll be adept at using data and insight to shape and evaluate your work, ensuring communications are evidence-led and outcomes-focused. With a solid understanding of equalities and inclusive practice, you’ll embed these values in everything you do.

You’ll have a degree or professional qualification in marketing or communications (or equivalent experience), with a strong grasp of the legal and practical frameworks that underpin communications and marketing in the public sector.

About us

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough

Application Process

On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.

Benefits

We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:

- From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
- Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
- Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
- Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
- Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
- Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
- Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
- Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
- Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
- Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel

How to apply

We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!

Our ‘How to apply' page has more tips to help with your application: How to apply

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communications and public affairs officer, northern health science alliance and health equity north

Communications and Public Affairs Officer

Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) and Health Equity North (HEN)

Location: Home working (with travel across the North of England as required)

Reports to: Head of Public Affairs

Salary: £26,500 – £29,500 dependent on experience

Contract Type: Full-time, fixed-term contract of 12 months

Closing date: Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 23:59

The Role

We are seeking a proactive and highly organised Communications and Public Affairs Officer to join our collaborative team supporting both the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) and Health Equity North (HEN).

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of health and life science research, policy, and regional advocacy, helping to shape the narrative around health innovation and inequality across the North of England.

The post holder will support the Heads of Communications and Public Affairs on a range of communications and public affairs activities positioning of the NHSA and HEN, raising their profile and reputation.

As our Communications and Public Affairs Officer, you will play a key role in delivering impactful communications strategies, engaging with stakeholders across health, academia, government, industry and media, and supporting our mission to improve health outcomes and address inequalities across the North.

We’re looking for someone who can write clear and compelling content across a range of communications channels and media, with an interest and awareness of the political landscape in which we operate.

Key Responsibilities

Communications

• Support the communications team in the delivery of effective NHSA-wide media and communications strategies.

• Take ownership of the NHSA’s social media channels – developing engaging content for our audiences, identifying opportunities grow reach and keeping abreast of the latest trends.

• Write the NHSA and HEN monthly newsletters

• Manage and maintain website content

• Monitor and evaluate social media, newsletter and website engagement and PR coverage

• Develop and maintain good relationships with stakeholders, partnership organisations and research councils

Public Affairs

• Monitor relevant policy developments, parliamentary activity, and health/science news

• Support stakeholder mapping and engagement with regional and national policymakers

• Support drafting policy briefings, consultation responses and communications to stakeholders

• Develop and maintain relationships with political, academic, NHS, and industry stakeholders

• Support senior team members in strategic advocacy work and external engagements

• Support the team with planning and executing internal and external events

Person Specification

Essential

• A degree and/or experience in a communications, public affairs, or media relations role

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to craft clear, impactful copy

• Strong understanding of how Parliament works and the UK health, science and innovation landscape

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines

• Proficient in digital communications such as social media management/websites

Desirable

• Knowledge of regional inequalities, public health issues and the life science sector across the North of England

About NHSA and HEN

The Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) is a partnership of leading NHS trusts and universities across the North of England, driving innovation in health and life sciences and championing the North’s role in UK health research.

Health Equity North (HEN) is a research and advocacy partnership focused on tackling health inequalities across the North through evidence, policy engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.

To Apply:
To be considered for the role, you must send both a CV and a covering letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role. Please send to: ruth.boston@theNHSA.co.uk

Deadline for applications: Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 23:59
Interviews to be held: Early August

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digital communications executive, oldham council

Digital Communications Executive

Oldham Council

Ref: 000864

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £27,711 - £30,060 per annum (Grade 4)

Hours: 36.66 per week

Location: Spindles Shopping Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1LF

Closing Date: Sunday 6th July 2025

Shortlisting and Interview Dates: TBC

Role Overview:

Do you live and breathe content creation? Are you ready to step up and join a fast-paced communications team responsible for keeping our residents and staff up to date with all the latest information? Then we could have just the role for you!

We are on the lookout for a great all-rounder with a creative flair and a passion for driving engaging content. A real team player, you’ll have the ability to manage a varied workload and support the wider team day-to-day.

It’s an exciting time to join the team at Oldham Council with lots of exciting transformation happening across the borough and great opportunities to get creative, shape the narrative and make a real difference to the lives of our residents and teams.

If you’re a motivated self-starter who’s either looking for the next challenge or fresh out of university ready to turbo charge your career please get in touch today!

Key Responsibilities:

• To provide practical support and deliver tasks for specific projects, with development support, eg:

• Create digital and social media content filming, editing and publishing

• Design of products such as leaflets, social media assets, posters as briefed

• Research and analysis of various digital platforms and social media data

• Communications and marketing campaigns, both internal and external

• Publications and newsletters, both online and in print

• Administrative and practical support for events, print/production, and general team requirements

Key Requirements:

• Experience in using social and digital media channels and/or design software to create content in an educational, workplace or personal capacity

• Proven interest and experience in digital communications and/or graphic design

• Ability to communicate effectively via written and verbal means and work in a team environment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

About Us:

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:

A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information.

Our Values and Behaviours:

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are ‘Proud, Ambitious, and Together’, and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:

• Work with a resident focus

• Support local leaders

• Committed to the borough

• Delivery high performance

• Take ownership and drive change

You can find out more about our values and behaviours on our greater.jobs Oldham page

Our Benefits Package:

At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following:

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years’ service

• The option to purchase additional annual leave.

• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.

• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.

• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.

• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.

• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.Staff recognition and celebration events.

• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment:

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

If you’re an applicant with disabilities, anyone aged 24 or under and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer or someone who has served in the Armed Forces and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.

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corporate communications officer, oldham council

Corporate Communications Officer

Oldham Council

Ref: 000865

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £33,366 - £37,035 per annum (Grade 6)

Hours: 36.66 per week

Location: Spindles Shopping Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1LF

Closing Date: Sunday 6th July 2025

Shortlisting and Interview Dates: TBC.

Role Overview:

Do you have a genuine passion for communications? Do you want to step out of your comfort zone and be at the heart of a fast-paced team responsible for keeping our residents and staff up to date with all the latest information? Then we could have just the role for you!

We’re on the lookout for a motivated and confident Corporate Communications Officer to work closely with the Senior Communications Manager and the wider team to further boost the success of our internal communications and corporate communication functions.

Our staff are the representatives for all the services and interactions we have with local communities, and you will play a crucial part in ensuring our people feel connected and engaged through storytelling and culture change projects.

It’s an exciting time to join the team at Oldham Council with lots of exciting transformation happening across the borough and great opportunities to get creative, shape the narrative and make a real difference to the lives of our residents and teams.

If you’re a highly organised, dynamic, people person who’s looking for the next step up with either previous agency or in-house experience please get in touch today!

Key Responsibilities:

• To deliver high-quality core products and outputs across internal and external corporate communications, which meet strategic objectives

• To support development and delivery of modern, proactive and creative multi-channel communications strategies to achieve corporate objectives and priorities, and to lead development of specific campaigns end-to-end working with colleagues such as HR/OD, Democratic Services and other services.

• Work with the Corporate Communications Manager to develop and deliver an effective internal communications strategy that embeds values and behaviours and achieves agreed objectives

• To use staff and customer insight to shape effective messaging and activity, and use evaluation techniques to monitor success of activity and return on investment on all spend, undertaking ongoing monitoring, evaluation and producing reports as required.

• To deliver internal and external communications products, undertaking planning, research, copywriting and production of internal and external e-newsletters, intranet content, video content, photography and offline communications products as required, maintaining a high standard of quality and accuracy

• To support and where appropriate lead event management including planning, project management, internal and external stakeholder liaison, organisation and all elements of delivery including administrative tasks, budget, data management and in-person presence and involvement at events

• To work effectively with Communications service colleagues to commission, co-develop and create high quality communications content and products

Key Requirements:

• Experience of delivering internal communications content, products and campaigns in-house for a large, complex organisation in the public sector and/or private sector.

• Ability to deliver a range of core communications activities including copywriting, video content, events.

• Skilled at implementing key digital / online communications products such as e-newsletter software and databases.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

About Us:

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:

A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information.

Our Values and Behaviours:

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are ‘Proud, Ambitious, and Together’, and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:

• Work with a resident focus

• Support local leaders

• Committed to the borough

• Delivery high performance

• Take ownership and drive change

You can find out more about our values and behaviours on our greater.jobs Oldham page

Our Benefits Package:

At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following:

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years’ service

• The option to purchase additional annual leave.

• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.

• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.

• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.

• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.

• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.

• Staff recognition and celebration events.

• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment:

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

If you’re an applicant with disabilities, anyone aged 24 or under and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer or someone who has served in the Armed Forces and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.

MORE INFORMATION AND APPLY