At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic communications team and shape impactful messages for the community.
- Company: Join Epping Forest District Council, a forward-thinking local government organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of an exciting transformation in local government services.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in how the Council communicates with residents.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications and team leadership is essential.
The predicted salary is between 56413 - 56413 £ per year.
We are delighted to be working with Epping Forest District Council to recruit a Corporate Communications Team Manager. Are you an experienced communications professional ready to step up and make a real impact? We’re offering a 12-month secondment or fixed term contract opportunity to cover maternity leave within our communications team as Corporate Communications Team Manager. This is a great opportunity to lead a high-performing team, shape service delivery, and play a key role in wider organisational priorities, including exposure to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) activity.
It’s a busy, varied, and hands-on role, ideal for someone who enjoys working at pace, getting involved in all sorts of communications activity, and working closely with colleagues across the organisation. You’ll be leading a talented comms team, but this isn’t just about management; you will be right in the middle of things, helping shape messages, jumping on reactive issues, supporting senior leaders and making sure we’re communicating clearly and confidently with our residents.
About the role
Reporting to the Service Manager, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and management of the Corporate Communications function, ensuring delivery of high-quality outcomes for our residents. You’ll be part of the wider management team, working collaboratively across the Council to drive continuous improvement, innovation, and transformation. Alongside leading the team, you’ll also be actively involved in delivering communications, helping to shape messages, support services, and respond to emerging issues.
No two days are the same, but you can expect to:
- Lead and support the comms team day-to-day
- Get stuck into the detail as well as the bigger picture
- Work closely with services across the Council
- Manage a mix of planned and reactive communications
- Support senior leaders and Councillors
- Oversee our digital channels
- Play a key role in wider organisational work
- Keep an eye on what’s working (and what isn’t)
What you’ll be doing
You’ll be working in a fast-paced Communications team, where service delivery and clear, effective communication are at the heart of what we do. You’ll work with a great team who are supportive, proactive and happy to get stuck in. It’s the kind of role where you can genuinely make a difference, both in how the Council communicates and how people experience our services.
About you
We’re looking for a confident, organised and forward-thinking communications leader who can motivate and support a team to deliver excellent services for our communities. You’ll set clear expectations, create a positive and accountable culture, recognise success and address performance issues constructively. With strong organisational skills and sound judgement, you’ll be comfortable deputising for the Service Manager, balancing strategic priorities with hands-on communications activity, and making effective decisions in a fast-paced environment.
You’ll bring experience of customer-focused, multi-channel communications, including websites, digital platforms, social media and internal channels, and use insight, technology and continuous improvement to strengthen how we communicate and deliver services. An excellent communicator, you’ll build strong relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, partners, senior leaders and elected Members, representing the Council professionally while maintaining high standards of governance, risk management, safeguarding and compliance.
Previous experience in communications and team leadership is important, but your attitude is just as important. We are looking for someone who’s proactive, level-headed, and enjoys working as part of a team.
Why this role?
This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a high-performing Communications team, gain valuable experience in strategic and organisational change work, work across a wide range of communications activity in a genuinely varied role, play a key part in how the Council communicates with and supports its residents, get exposure to strategic and change work, including Local Government Reorganisation, build experience across a wide range of communications activity, and make a real impact in a short space of time.
Epping Forest District Council is a place of opportunity and it is a great time to join us - we’re changing how we deliver our services ensuring we are a place that people are proud of and which delivers its priorities to high standards. Epping Forest District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Team Manager – Corporate Communications – Epping Forest District Council in Colchester employer: Essex County Counci
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer for Adults Social Workers, offering a community-focused work environment in the diverse areas of Colchester and Tendring. With a commitment to employee wellbeing, ongoing professional development, and flexible working options, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive culture that values collaboration and innovation. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to helping individuals achieve independence and live fulfilling lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager – Corporate Communications – Epping Forest District Council in Colchester
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like Essex County Counci. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like Essex County Counci, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research Essex County Counci inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager – Corporate Communications – Epping Forest District Council in Colchester
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 Essex County Counci. 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 Essex County Counci.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Counci
✨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.
