Press and Communications Officer

Luton, Bedfordshire
Connect2Luton

Connect2Luton are excited to recruit a Press and Communications Officer on behalf of Luton Borough Council.

Main purpose of position:

The Press and Communications Officer works as part of the Communications and Marketing team. This role is responsible for media relations and delivering well planned and evaluated communications campaigns as part of the corporate team which is responsible for managing the press office and the council’s social media accounts.

The post holder will be responsible for developing high quality, professional media relations advice and strategies – both proactive and reactive – to enhance and protect the reputation of the council and the borough.

The role also has a focus on external communications, delivering campaigns focused on value for money, housing, financial support for households, social justice and new ways of doing business with the council, changing perceptions, attitudes and behaviours.

As a Press and Communications Officer, you will be responsible to:

• Develop and delivering a comprehensive media plan, ensuring proactive management with local, national and trade media, and the effective management of enquiries.
• Build and manage the relationships with local, national and trade media – digital, print, broadcast, social media – and provide expert support and advice to spokespeople in the delivery of the council’s key messages.
• Support the council’s media activity for emergency and crisis situations and help develop the crisis communications plan for the council.
• Produce content for a range of external audiences, using a range of channels and editing and proof-reading items supplied by others to ensure a high standard of communication.
• Build good, productive relationships with key people in directorates to ensure that the communications service understands service needs, and is influential in determining and delivering new ways of meeting those needs.
• Engaging with other professionals in the communications and marketing team to co-develop campaigns and to ensure that the right communications channels are used to achieve campaign objectives.
• Contribute as a team member to the work of the Communications and Marketing Service, keeping abreast of new developments in the field and making recommendations and provide expert knowledge and reports to directors, politicians, CLMT, cabinet, partners and stakeholders.
• Challenge existing activity and service delivery standards to strive for continuous improvement.
• Maintenance of the team’s systems and processes to record activity and measure outcomes and impact in relation to external communications and social media.

Skills and Experience:

• Experience of operating in a press office or media environment and developing and implementing effective media strategies
• Experience in developing and delivering creative communications and marketing strategies, campaigns and projects, including the use of social media, with an ability to demonstrate the impact of those campaigns
• Able to use well developed communication skills to present complex/sensitive information in an understandable way, to a range of audiences
• Able to develop, manage and deliver complex campaigns and projects, supported by research and data, to meet service requirements and to ensure the best outcomes for both customers and the Council
• Able to work independently within clear guidelines and regularly use initiative to make decisions, referring to more senior officers for advice on policy/resource issues
• Able to deal with high levels of work-related pressure, for example from deadlines, interruptions or conflicting demands
• In-depth current knowledge of marketing, media, social media and communications theory and best practice
• In-depth current knowledge of legislative requirements in the context of trading opportunities, marketing, PR and media relations, copywriting and publishing
• Qualified to degree level in marketing or communications (or equivalent relevant workplace experience
• Recognised professional qualification in Media, Marketing, Public Relations and/or equivalent verifiable experience or training
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development

About Us

Luton Borough Council have partnered with Kent County Council to create Connect2Luton, a recruitment managed service for all contingent temporary agency, contract, and interim roles at the Council.

Our heritage and being local government owned which means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the public sector, with many of our employees having previously worked for the Council or have supplied previously into the Council, for several years.

We are an equal opportunities employment agency and business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Connect2Luton is a trading style of Luton & Kent Commercial Services LLP – A joint venture between Luton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Luton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.