Communications Business Partner – PR and Media Strategy in Alconbury

We are looking for an experienced, forward-thinking Communications Business Partner - PR and Media Strategy to join our Communications team at a pivotal moment. This is a senior, high profile role in our Communications Team and at the heart of the council's strategic direction, helping us communicate clearly, confidently and transparently with our residents, partners and colleagues.

As one of our senior communication leaders, you will design and deliver integrated communications that support our Strategic Framework and CARE values: Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful and Excellent. You will act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and elected members, provide expert guidance on complex and sensitive matters, and help shape the organisation's narrative through high quality, insight led communication.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast paced media environment, who enjoys balancing proactive and reactive storytelling in response to media issues. You will be passionate about shaping the organisation's public voice while protecting its reputation. You will be ready to lead on the communication challenges and opportunities that come with major organisational change, including Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

This is a rare opportunity to:

• Influence the strategic direction of a large, high profile council.
• Lead communications that genuinely improve outcomes for residents.
• Shape a modern, digital first approach to engagement and public service.
• Be part of a supportive, ambitious team that values innovation, learning and professional growth.

If you want a role where your expertise has real impact, we would love to hear from you.

What will you be doing? As our Communications Business Partner for PR & Media Strategy, you will:

• Lead our media approach and our media team, balancing proactive storytelling with robust, rapid response to emerging issues.
• Deliver forward planning as well overseeing and handling real time media handling.
• Oversee reputation management, providing strategic advice during crises and contributing to our 24/7 out of hours rota.
• Develop and deliver cross council communication, media and digital strategies aligned to corporate outcomes.
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior officers and elected members, ensuring communications support effective decision making and democratic transparency.
• Horizon scanning to protect the council's interests and strengthen relationships with partners and government.
• Support local democracy by communicating committee policy decisions.
• Mentor and develop colleagues to create a high performing, innovative communications function.
• Drive creative thinking, professional standards and communication excellence across the organisation.

This role includes line management responsibilities and the expectation to lead a business unit delivering against a forward communications plan.

About you: You will be a confident, resilient communications leader with:

• Extensive experience delivering strategic communications in a complex organisational environment.
• A proven track record in media handling, crisis response and reputation management.
• Expertise in strategic planning across digital, media, campaigns and internal communications.
• Strong political awareness and an ability to advise senior stakeholders with credibility.
• Excellent writing, editing and influencing skills, with the ability to simplify complexity for diverse audiences.
• Experience of leading high performing teams and encouraging innovation and continuous improvement.
• Strong financial and project management skills.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to supporting our ambition to become a Net Zero organisation by 2030.

Relevant degree level study is essential; CIPR/CIM or postgraduate qualifications are desirable.

About us: Cambridgeshire is a great place to work and live with a diverse population, an urban centre in Cambridge, historic Isle of Ely, Huntingdon and St Ives as well as more rural landscapes. Our four values are central to our culture, driving everything we do. We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we firmly believe benefits our colleagues, the organisation and our communities.

If you don’t meet every single requirement in the job role but think this could be you, please don’t be put off. We are committed to building a workplace that is compassionate and inclusive as well as diverse, so if you think you could be a good candidate for this role please consider applying and speak to the recruiting manager if you have any questions.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We fully support providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, as well as when you join us, and we encourage candidates to contact the Hiring Manager to discuss any adjustment needs.