Media and Communications Manager Reading, England
Job description
Full Time - Fixed Term for 23 Months
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced media and communications manager to join the busy communications team at Reading Borough Council.
The award-winning team deliver campaigns to support the corporate plan objectives as well as respond to media enquiries and help tell the story of the Council and the work we deliver to support our community.
The role is scoped as full time, but we would encourage individuals with flexible working requirements to apply. This role is a fixed term contract and will be responsible for communications for some short-term projects.
We offer an agile workforce approach, including home working. We will make sure you have everything in place to do this effectively. There may be some evening and weekend working due to the nature of the communications team.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
We develop and deliver engaging content from social media graphics and content to videos which helps tells our story as well as produce our residents’ magazine, Your Reading and the monthly email newsletter.
We are looking for someone to plan and deliver campaigns which will use a range of communication channels both internally and externally as well as using blogs, video and social media content alongside press releases and newsletter articles. We also need someone who can deal with reactive media enquiries from a range of local, national and international media and deal with a crisis in a calm and professional manner.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
About you
You’ll have outstanding communications skills, a sharp news sense, excellent judgement, and be politically aware. You’ll also have the ability to build effective relationships and networks internally, with partners and media providers, virtually as well as in person.
The following will also help you to hit the ground running:
- Applied understanding of the full range of modern communications channels and techniques and how they can be evaluated.
- Evidence and experience of creating content and evaluating its impact.
- Ability to manage tight deadlines and pressures in a fast-moving environment.
- To be resilient and highly motivated.
- Skilled in planning in the short and long term and managing changing priorities as well as knowledge of behaviour changes and consultation.
- An understanding of how local government and the public sector works.
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- 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, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position please contact Louisa Dean, Head of Communications and Marketing at [email protected]
Closing Date:27th October 2023
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment
