Media Communications Officer

About the Role:

There’s a lot going on in Swale, and we want to let people know about it.

We want a creative storyteller with an analytical eye and willingness to keep learning to join our small team.

We’re looking for someone to create engaging (and effective!) news content, who is comfortable working with journalists to tell our story.

You’ll help us engage, inform and support residents, businesses and visitors by:

•writing news release copy that journalists actually use

•crafting social media content that gets to the right audience at the right time with the right messages

•replying to breaking news queries professionally

•organising photo and filming opportunites that produce compelling visuals

About You:

The role works closely with councillors and senior officers, so you’ll need to be comfortable offering expert advice on how to best to engage with residents, visitors, and businesses.

Having a good understanding of how councils work would be helpful, but experience in similar organisations could be relevant so please tell us about that.

Similarly, qualifications in related disciplines are welcome, but we want you to show us that you can put yourself in the audience’s shoes and understand how to really engage them.

Selection Process:

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.

About Us:

Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, located less than an hour from Central London in an attractive and diverse part of Kent involving urban, rural, and coastal areas. The Borough is facing an exciting period of change, with plans for major growth, which brings challenges and opportunities over the next few years for placemaking professionals.

Our Offer:

A range of benefits including:

•Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities

•Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors

•Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

•Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)

•Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy additional leave

•Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work

•Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.

•A wide range of flexible working opportunities

•Annual flu vaccine

•Cycle to work scheme

•Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping

•Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals

•A professional fee payment, if required for the role

Swale Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.

Swale Borough Council has a Sponsor License which enables successful candidates in eligible roles to be sponsored for work Visa purposes.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact communications and policy manager Philip Sutcliffe on 01795 417228 or email philipsutcliffe@swale.gov.uk.

To apply for the position please visit www.swale.gov.uk/jobs and complete the online application form or by phone on 01622 602555.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £29,974.00-£33,718.00 per year

Work Location: In person