Job Description

Job Title: Communications & Events Officer Post No: BTC 016 Team: Corporate Communications Team Responsible to: Administration & HR Manager Number of direct reports: 0 Budgetary responsibility: None Salary Range: SCP 18-23 (\xc2\xa329,269 - \xc2\xa332,076) Contract Type: Permanent Hours (e.g., full or part time): Full time Location: The Town Council Offices, The Old Court House, 4 Saffron Road, Biggleswade Name:
Overall Purpose
The Council is looking to improve and update how it promotes itself and its activities and how it communicates with its residents and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will take the lead on improving and then maintaining how we engage and consult; how we promote our services, amenities and civic profile; and focusing on developing our digital profile. They will in addition play a lead role in managing, developing and marketing the Councils civic events. Key Outcomes and accountabilities:

• Producing and distributing the Biggleswade Town Council newsletter, corporate announcements, and other key messages as well as working on other council publications and publicity materials.
• Ensuring the effective communication of Council policies, initiatives and news across a range of audiences through the Council website and social media pages.
• Setting up and managing consultations on proposed Council policies.
• Responding to media enquiries with appropriate statements and information, and researching/producing media releases on specific issues and to promote, protect and develop the reputation of the council.
• Supporting the council\xe2\x80\x99s social media presence and generating specific content and materials.
• Identifying opportunities for positive internal and external publicity and providing associated photographic and video support where appropriate.
• To develop innovative marketing campaigns to promote our activities, performances and participatory events to audiences, stakeholders and the wider public, building brand awareness as well as audience loyalty and retention.
• To support our marketing and sales functions to ensure audience development and income targets are achieved.
• Use market intelligence tools (e.g. Google Analytics, Campaign Monitor, Facebook Insights) and box office sales data, to analyse the effectiveness of our communications.
• Managing and uploading content on the Town Council website (with particular emphasis on the latest news and media centre pages).
• Use customer and employee insight to drive innovation and to ensure that all appropriate channels are used to reach and engage with different target audiences.
• To Assist the Town Clerk in maintaining compliance of the Council\xe2\x80\x99s data management procedures, including data protection, freedom of information requests, and complaints procedure. As well as ensuring permissions and accreditation for imagery and materials.
• Noticeboards \xe2\x80\x93 to keep information up to date and produce monthly events calendars, which should be promoted across all Council platforms.
• Keeping all employees up to date with changes in the organisation that will affect or interest them as well as celebrating their professional and personal successes.
• Manage civic events, some of which fall outside normal working days and hours, particularly the Mayor\xe2\x80\x99s Civic Service, Remembrance Parade and Service and Armistice Service.. Duties will also include the marketing of Council events, issuing of event invitations and other support required in the planning and running of these events.
• To promote the civic life of the Council including keeping a diary of civic events, liaising with the Mayor & Deputy Mayor over their diaries and ensuring all external invitations are responded to.
• Within a small Team, to undertake a full range of office support services to management and councillors in accordance with operating procedures and to bring about continuous improvement.
• To promote the principles of customer care, equality, quality management and good health and safety standards.
• To carry out other such duties as may be required by the Council.

ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL/ DESIRABLE REQUIREMENT METHOD OF ASSESSMENT QUALIFICATIONS Desirable Educational qualifications to at least A level or equivalent Relevant degree and/or professional qualification(s) Application Form Essential A demonstrable understanding and experience of external and internal communication techniques, practices and current thinking. Application Form and Interview EXPERIENCE/ KNOWLEDGE Desirable Understanding of the workings of local government, current issues and challenges. Application Form and Interview Essential Experience with drafting communications, press releases and newsletters. Application Form and Interview Essential Experience of working in a busy office environment, providing a wide range of clerical and administrative support. Application Form and Interview Essential Experience in posting information on websites and social media. Application Form and Interview Essential Excellent interpersonal skills enabling communicate with diverse groups \xe2\x80\x93 councillors, colleagues, partners including other parish councils, public, press etc. Application Form and Interview Essential Able to use hardware and publishing software to prepare and present the town council\xe2\x80\x99s communications in an exciting, informative and professional manner. Application Form and Interview Desirable Experience in local government administration. Application Form and Interview Desirable Experience in promotion and exhibitions. Application Form and Interview Essential Experience of Microsoft Office packages. Application Form and Interview Essential A knowledge of good customer care practice. Application Form and Interview Desirable Knowledge of working within a quality management system with a \xe2\x80\x9cright first time\xe2\x80\x9d ethos Application Form and Interview ABILITY/SKILLS Essential Ability to be self-motivated, innovative and have a flexible approach to work. Application form and Interview Essential Ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment. Application form and Interview Essential Excellent communication skills and ability to deal tactfully and confidentially with sensitive situations. Application Form and Interview Desirable Familiar with local government services. Application Form OTHER Essential Commitment to improving efficiency and effectiveness. Application form and Interview Essential Commitment to customer care & equal opportunities in service delivery. Interview Job Type: Full-time Salary: \xc2\xa329,269.00-\xc2\xa332,076.00 per year Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Biggleswade: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person