Communications Officer

Description

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

This role has a starting salary of £34,356 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week. This is a 12-month fixed term/secondment opportunity. 

We are looking to recruit a new Communications Officer to join our fantastic Corporate Communications Team. We are a team that look out for each other and enjoy flexible working, so you'll always feel supported and part of a communications family. Our team is based in Reigate and is open to hybrid working. 

This is a 12-month fixed term/secondment opportunity. 

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

You will be working in the council's Corporate Communications team, within a wider multi-disciplined team. There will be lots of opportunity for development and cross-working on a range of Surrey County Council communications, but your primary focus will be working on the council's award winning newsletters.

We look out for each other and enjoy flexible working, so you'll always feel supported and part of a communications family. The role will be a minimum contract of twelve months, with potential for an extension.

About the Role

Do you have a passion for communications? Do you have great ideas that can help turn the issues affecting our 10,000 staff into compelling stories and campaigns they will notice? This is an exciting role within Surrey County Council's corporate communications team.

Every day is different in this team. One day you will be writing articles for the Surrey Matters newsletter, going out to over 200k residents, the next you will be helping to plan a behaviour change campaign.

You will play an important part in ensuring all our newsletters are engaging with their audiences, working with colleagues in the wider Communications Directorate and with services. As a vital member of the team, you will support the Senior Communications Officer and Head of Production to communicate to our 1.2m residents.

Newsletters are a core channel for our organisation. You will plan and write articles, upload them to our website, build newsletters in our online platform and support services to improve their own newsletters. You will also have opportunities to write and proof social media posts, support with content creation and help find positive stories.

We are looking for a creative and proactive individual, with excellent writing and planning skills who will help us make a positive impact for our residents.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Experience of working within a fast-paced communications team
• Proven experience writing engaging content
• Able to work on and prioritise multiple projects at once
• Flexibility to adapt writing styles and techniques to suit different audiences, and to work creatively to develop and design communication campaigns

Contact us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Richard Neale by e-mail at richard.neale@surreycc.gov.uk.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 10/03/2024. We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Our Values

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values. 

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also attached provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council. 

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where: 

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application 
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form 

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.