Communications Manager
We have a fantastic opportunity for someone looking for a varied, interesting and fulfilling communications job. We are looking for a creative and dynamic individual to become our new Communications Manager.
Reporting to the Head of Communications and Engagement, you will be responsible for the management and delivery of the council’s internal and external communications. But your influence will be far greater, making a real impact corporately and within our communities.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.
Leading a small, friendly team of busy communications professionals, who strive to deliver stand-out communications activity, you will be responsible for producing a broad range of written communications to the highest standard; using expertise and experience to identify the right channels and styles for specific audiences and managing local media enquiries and campaigns.
You will be helping to achieve important goals by managing a wide range of communications projects (testing your excellent management skills), providing communications advice and support (spotting potential issues or opportunities), planning, prioritising, scheduling and handling lots of communications activities, often at the same time (while keeping calm and focused) and building good relationships to get things done.
As Communications Manager, you will have the drive and expertise required to work with councillors, the Senior Management Team, our partners and our staff to help us to deliver our new Borough Plan.
You will be a trusted source of advice and guidance on all communications issues, but also have a keen sense of what will make the news and be able to tell a compelling story of where and how the Council is delivering high quality services.
This is an exciting role and a great opportunity for a creative and experienced Communications Manager to contribute to and manage a wide range of communications, marketing and resident experience projects and issues.
If you want a role that is different every day, that challenges you but also brings huge opportunities, then please apply. We would love to hear from you.
Our ideal candidate:
- Is extremely IT literate, have relevant communications experience and be able to build effective relationships across the Council and with external stakeholders.
- Is an energetic, agile and responsive leader, able to work collaboratively with staff, members and stakeholders across the full range of council interests
- Is passionate about the work of councils and the role of local democracy
- Is someone with an existing track record of driving continuous improvement in performance and culture, delivering new solutions and approaches within a complex environment
- Is great at working out what communications and marketing activity is needed and turning this into an effective and measurable plan.
- can spot potential issues and have the experience and expertise to lead an effective communications response.
- Has excellent track record of successfully delivering multiple, concurrent communications projects and priorities
- Is confident in building good relationships with colleagues and know when to resolve issues yourself and when to escalate.
- Is able to influence, motivate and direct colleagues that you don’t directly manage.
- is not afraid to challenge or to be challenged, you’re curious to know how things can be improved and you work exceptionally well as part of a multi-disciplinary team, focused on shared goals.
- Is a team player.
In return you will be playing your part to make a difference to our colleague experience at a high performing Council. You will also receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays after 5 years’ service, and have access to a range of benefits in terms of reward, wellbeing, and development.
To find out more information about what it is like to work for Cheshire West and Chester Council including our rewards and benefits please see www.cwcrecruitment.co.uk
No candidate will meet every single requirement - if your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!
Cheshire West and Chester Council are committed to equality and diversity in employment. Please see the Equality Policy for more information.
Cheshire West and Chester Council have adopted a Local Living Wage for our employees which means that all employees will receive a minimum of £12 per hour for all contracted hours.
For any technical enquiries please email Sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk and quote job reference number in all correspondence.