Job Description

Suffolk County Council - Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX - Hybrid

39,513 per annum (pro rata for part time)

37 hours per week - Flexible working options available

Fixed term or secondment for 2 years (project)

A great opportunity to join the Suffolk County Council's Communications and Public Affairs team as a

Senior Communications Officer

.



At a time of great change with local government in Suffolk, we are looking for someone truly exceptional - politically astute, able to juggle multiple demands, a talented and experienced communicator. Does that sound like you? If so, then you could be who we are looking for.

Your role

As a Senior Communications Officer you will have proven experience of developing and delivering high-profile communications campaigns. Working with other communications professionals, politicians and service experts, you will have experience in protecting and enhancing reputation - working with the media and communicating effectively with council colleagues.



Our team is quickly becoming a centre of excellence for delivering campaigns and using behavioural insights. We strive to make a real difference - bringing creativity and turbo-charging communications and campaigns.

You will need

to be educated to degree level or equivalent, or significant professional experience in a communications and campaigns environment ability and experience of devising and implementing creative and audience-focused multidisciplinary communications projects and campaigns excellent written and verbal communications skills, including presentations, reports, publicity, digital and marketing materials.

You can view a full list of requirements in the

Job and Person Profile (docx)

.

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

Suffolk County Council's communications team supports the council to deliver its priorities. We provide technical insight and expertise into developing and delivering campaigns that use behavioural insights to drive positive change, shaping and sharing information with residents across the county and protecting and enhancing the council's reputation.



We place great emphasis in thinking about our audiences first to deliver communications activities that achieve successful results. You may be communicating important messages about the government's Local Government Reorganisation, planning for the opening of multi-million pound infrastructure project or developing messages for promoting a stakeholder survey. You will get the opportunity to learn, develop and thrive in a supportive, creative environment where everyone is valued for the skills and experience they bring.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our

Workforce Equality Report (suffolk.gov.uk)

.

For more information

Please contact

Andrew St Ledger

for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling

07779322630

or emailing

andrew.stledger@suffolk.gov.uk

.

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply

Step 1 -

Read the

Job and Person Profile (docx)

.

Step 2 -

Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 -

Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the

Supporting Statement template

.


1. Can you describe a time when you led a high-profile communications campaign? What strategies did you use to ensure its success?



2. Describe a time when you had to handle a crisis communication situation. What steps did you take to manage the situation and what was the outcome?



3. How do you stay updated with industry trends and incorporate new ideas into your work?.

Step 4 -

Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note:

Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.


If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing

recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk

or calling

03456 014412

.If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 6 May 2025

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we

offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of

skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that

flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to

understand and support your individual needs. We're driven

to make a positive difference to the world around us and

encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:



up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase training and encouragement to expand your knowledge a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation diverse and active staff networks flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).