Digital Communications Officer - Hybrid in Cirencester

Digital Communications Officer - Hybrid in Cirencester

Cirencester Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Cotswold District Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Create engaging digital content and tell impactful stories for our community.
  • Company: Cotswold District Council, dedicated to serving and connecting with local residents.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, 27 days annual leave, health cash plan, and a supportive team environment.
  • Other info: Agile working with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in your community through creative communications and digital storytelling.
  • Qualifications: Strong storytelling skills and experience in digital content creation.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

Clear, trusted communication has never been more important. In a fast moving digital world, we need to ensure our messages cut through - helping people feel informed, supported and connected to the place they live.

Currently, Cotswold District Council is collaborating with other councils across Gloucestershire as part of an exciting, once in a generation programme of Local Government Reorganisation, bringing new challenges and opportunities to engage our residents, staff and stakeholders. But as we prepare for this future, we continue to deliver vital services that matter to our communities today from planning for sustainable growth and improving recycling and waste services, to tackling climate change, supporting residents through the cost of living, and working with partners to promote health and wellbeing. Strong, creative communication is essential to in bringing this all to life.

We are now looking for a proactive and creative Communications Officer to help tell these stories producing engaging, high-quality digital content that connects with our audiences. As a Communications Officer, you will play a hands-on role in supporting the delivery of effective, engaging communications across a variety of channels. This will include a strong focus on digital content creation - including video, social media and visual storytelling.

You will work with colleagues across the council to support campaigns, create high-impact content, support media activity and deliver communications that promote the council's priorities and keep our audiences informed. This is a varied and rewarding role in a supportive team, ideal for someone who enjoys working at pace, has a strong creative instinct, and is confident bringing stories to life through digital formats. This role is full time but for a fixed term up until March 31st 2028.

  • The ability and skills to create engaging digital content, including video and social media
  • Strong storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt content for different platforms and audiences
  • Good technical skills in content creation tools (e.g. video editing, social media platforms)
  • An understanding of digital channels, analytics and audience engagement
  • The ability to use insight and data to improve communications activity
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • A genuine interest in how creative communications can support communities and services
  • Use of a car for work purposes

This post is designated as politically restricted in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Politically restricted post holders are restricted from canvassing on behalf of a political party or for a person who is, or seeks to be, a candidate for election to a local authority, the House of Commons, or the European Parliament.

Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working.

  • Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
  • 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years of service
  • An extra two volunteering days per year to support a charity of your choice
  • A health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
  • Generous contributory local government pension scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars

We are rightly proud of the businesses, communities and residents who live in this beautiful part of the world, putting them first and at the heart of everything we do. We are busy recreating a council set up for success, which can deliver for the needs of our communities in a fast-changing environment. That means we need to be fleet of foot and look for innovative and creative ways to deliver against our Corporate Plan priorities. That plan focuses on a range of important priorities including delivering good services for residents, responding to the climate emergency, supporting strong local communities, and evolving the district's vibrant economy.

Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email. Our organisation is committed to meeting its statutory and moral duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people under 18 years of age and adults at risk who are the recipients of its services and/or activities. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; nationality and immigration status; three years employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.

Digital Communications Officer - Hybrid in Cirencester employer: Cotswold District Council

Cotswold District Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises creativity and community engagement. With flexible hybrid working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we empower our staff to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of our residents. Join us in shaping the future of our communities through innovative communication strategies in the beautiful Cotswolds.

Cotswold District Council

Contact Details:

Cotswold District Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Digital Communications Officer - Hybrid in Cirencester

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Tailor Your Approach

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We think you need these skills to ace Digital Communications Officer - Hybrid in Cirencester

Digital Content Creation
Video Editing
Social Media Management
Storytelling Skills
Audience Engagement
Data Analysis
Written Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!

Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Cotswold District Council. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.

Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Cotswold District Council.

How to prepare for a job interview at Cotswold District Council

Master the Art of Storytelling

In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.

Know Your PR Tools Inside Out

Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.

Stay Current with Industry Trends

We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.

Showcase Our Versatility

As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.