Community Engagement Officer

Job Introduction

No two days are the same for the award-winning Milton Keynes City Council communications team, as we cover public relations, branding and marketing, social media, video production and so much more, helping to engage local people and build trust in what the city council does. We're an enthusiastic and friendly team with lots of exciting projects on the go, including a new opportunity to involve residents and businesses in the regeneration of Bletchley and Fenny Stratford, famous as the ‘home of the codebreakers’.

Milton Keynes City Council has secured national funding to invest in Bletchley and Fenny Stratford and deliver seven projects that will improve facilities for residents and businesses, such as making the most of the East-West rail route at Bletchley Station and building new council homes. Due to the level of development taking place, we need to make sure communities are kept informed and know how they can help shape their area’s future.

As Community Engagement Officer, you’ll proactively engage with local people and stakeholders, keeping them involved and informed. You’ll help to create memorable campaign materials, be responsible for pop-up consultation events, find and share local news and stories, and much more. This is a full-time role, fixed term for a minimum of 18 months.

Main Responsibility

• Work with colleagues in the communications and economic development teams to deliver a communication plan that engages local people and stakeholders.
• Get to know local stakeholders and make sure you're the first person they tell when there's useful news to share.
• Plan and deliver Community Engagement events, including the management of a dedicated events budget.
• Deliver and grow effective and engaging social and direct channels.
• Create memorable content - written, graphics, and video/animation.

The Ideal Candidate

• Someone who enjoys talking to people and can put them at ease.
• Someone who is experienced in planning and delivering events.
• Someone who can write in Plain English and turn complicated material into short and snappy text.
• Someone who can pick practical and technical points up quickly, ideally with experience of video production and/or internet creation.
• Someone who has experience in a communications or similar role.

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years.  In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.

• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.

• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.

• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.

• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week.  Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference. 

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.