Levelling Up External Communications Adviser

Please note this role will be offered on a 12 month fixed-term contract or secondment basis.

Full-time and part-time working arrangements will be considered.

Levelling Up disadvantaged places and cohorts is a priority for Essex County Council, and our partners across the county, as reflected in our four-year strategy for the Council, Everyone's Essex, and in our Levelling Up Essex White Paper published in January 2022.

We are looking for a dynamic and passionate comms professional to join us to help raise the profile, and tell the story, of this important work. Levelling Up is fundamentally about widening access to opportunity for residents and businesses across Essex and comms is a critical enabler in helping us to achieve that goal.

The External Communications Advisor will be responsible for delivering external communications activities for Essex County Council's Levelling Up programme. They will work across all communication channels, implementing a planned programme of comms activity and develop content in appropriate and accessible formats for a range of audiences.

The role will be responsible for creating, curating and sharing content that aligns to the strategic objectives and increases levels of understanding and engagement with the initiatives within the Levelling Up programme; sharing the real life impact via a range ofmulti-media content (photo/video) that can be shared across channels.

The role requires an individual who is adaptable, adept at working in a fast-moving environment. You will understand how to collaborate, working with stakeholders at every level and be comfortable navigating shifting priorities and complex work to deliver impact.

Accountabilities

Work with the programme communications lead to create and deliver an external communications programme for Levelling Up.

Responsible for delivering communications strategies and campaigns, writing and producing on and offline content including press releases, videos, events and working closely with the media, stakeholders and partners.

Working collaboratively with other colleagues across Communications and Marketing the Levelling Up team and partner communications teams, sharing knowledge, insight and data.

Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience.

Evidence of continuing professional development and knowledge.

Experience of working on publicity campaigns on a local and national level, on behalf of a large, complex organisation. Experience of working in a political or public sector environment is desirable.

Strong news judgment and pitching skills, excellent writing and communication skills.

Experience of managing relationships with senior leaders, internally and externally.

Experience of multidisciplinary and cross-functional working.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.