Communications Officer
West Oxfordshire District Council
Location: Witney
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term
Salary Details: £34,033 Per Annum
Hours Per Week: 37
Closing date: 4 Feb 2026
About The Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join West Oxfordshire District Council’s Communications team on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave.
Working closely with the Communications Manager, communications colleagues and teams across the council, you will help deliver clear, engaging and effective communications that support local residents, businesses, stakeholders and communities across West Oxfordshire.
This is a busy and varied role, supporting the planning and delivery of both internal and external communications activity across a wide range of council services. You will play an important part in ensuring council messages are accurate, accessible and timely, while contributing to the protection and enhancement of the council’s reputation.
As a Communications Officer you will take a hands-on role in delivering campaigns, media activity, digital and social content, and internal communications. Working to agreed priorities and deadlines, the role also involves providing expert communications advice and support to councillors and officers, helping to deliver a modern and effective communications service.
This is a hybrid role, with a mix of working from home and from our offices in Witney, so you will need to live within a reasonable commuting distance.
The post is offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract for maternity cover, or until the postholder returns – whichever is sooner. The working pattern is Monday to Friday.
We are looking for someone who is confident communicating at all levels, with excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong news sense, and experience of delivering effective communications across a range of channels. You will be comfortable building relationships with colleagues, Councillors and external partners, and confident providing professional advice in a fast-paced environment.
If you are a proactive, creative communicator looking to make a real impact in a public sector setting, we would love to hear from you.
You will need
Experience in a communications, marketing or other related role with required skillsets
Demonstrable up-to-date understanding and experience of effective communications techniques and practices across a wide range of channels including digital, print, out-of-house, etc
Excellent standards of written and verbal communication with the ability to produce copy for a wide variety of audiences and communicate complex information
Creative, self-starter with the confidence and ability to take ownership and responsibility for work
Ability to influence and inspire colleagues to successfully deliver high quality communications and marketing
A degree in communications, marketing, public relations or a related subject, and preferably at least two years’ experience working in a communications, marketing or related role
Special Conditions
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
This post designated as politically restricted in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Politically restricted post holders are restricted from canvassing on behalf of a political party or for a person who is, or seeks to be, a candidate for election to a local authority, the House of Commons, or the European Parliament.
For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.
Interview Date: 16th, 17th & 18th February 2026
What we can do for you
Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years’ service and 33 days following 10 years’ continuous service
In addition you will have an extra two volunteering days a year for you to support a charity of your choice
Renewed again for another year there is a Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
Generous contributory local government pension scheme
Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
Cycle to work scheme
Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
About Us
West Oxfordshire District Council is a forward-looking council, putting residents first and working in partnership to support our communities. We are delivering an ambitious Council Plan for the district that is focused on important local priorities including affordable housing, climate and ecological action, helping our economy to grow and building communities.
We also provide a range of important local services that make a positive impact to our district on a daily basis including planning, housing, waste and recycling collections, leisure centres, community safety and environmental health.
Joining West Oxfordshire District Council you will be helping us achieve our goals for the district and play a part in supporting our communities, our businesses and our environment.
Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.
Our organisation is committed to meeting its statutory and moral duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people under 18 years of age and adults at risk who are the recipients of its services and/or activities.
Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references; proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.
