At a Glance
- Tasks: Create engaging content and communicate Essex Highways' work to residents and stakeholders.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Essex County Council, making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, sick pay, extra leave options, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Be a proactive communicator and showcase your creativity while impacting local communities.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in creating engaging content are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Communications Officer to report to the Stakeholder Communications Manager and provide high‑quality communications advice, content and engagement for Essex Highways’ key audiences, including residents, politicians and staff. This proactive role will use creative and innovative communications to clearly tell the story of what Essex Highways delivers.
The Role
- Proactively communicate the work of Essex Highways through a variety of content, including social media, written communications, video filming and website updates.
- Provide communications advice and handling to highways colleagues, ensuring messaging is timely, clear and risks are managed.
- Draft and deliver stakeholder communications to keep residents, local politicians and businesses informed about highways improvement works.
- Draft and deliver internal communications, including staff updates and support for staff engagement events.
- Produce communications updates across multiple channels, including social media, press releases, reactive media statements and website content.
- Visit sites of highways works to capture photo and video content for use across Essex Highways’ channels.
- Draft and deliver updates on upcoming highways works for key external audiences.
- Support the Press and PR function through drafting press releases, media statements and contributing to communications plans.
About You
- You will be a proactive communicator who is confident building relationships, providing advice and creating engaging communications content.
- You will be comfortable bringing new ideas forward and trying new approaches, while remaining calm and clear‑headed under pressure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience delivering communications handling plans and content.
- Experience of collaborative working and a proactive, self‑starting approach.
- Ability to work calmly under pressure within a small, dynamic team.
- Some experience or understanding of creating graphics (for example Canva, Adobe Express or Creative Suite).
- Some experience or understanding of basic short‑form video editing.
- Some experience or understanding of using analytics tools (such as Orlo) to inform content decisions.
- Strong organisation and planning skills, with the ability to monitor delivery.
- Standard office ICT skills.
- A full driving licence.
Benefits
- Sick Pay
- Competitive salary
- Opportunity to purchase up to 5 days extra leave
- A variety of discounts through the RJ Rewards app, including restaurants, holidays, days out etc.
- Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Pension scheme
Ringway Jacobs is an equal opportunities employer. We wish to ensure equality of opportunity in employment and the fair treatment of all our employees.
Stakeholder Communications Officer in Chelmsford employer: Essex Highways
Ringway Jacobs is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, making it an ideal place for a Stakeholder Communications Officer. With a commitment to employee growth, competitive benefits including sick pay, extra leave options, and a supportive environment for creative communication, you will thrive in a role that directly impacts the community. Located in Essex, you will have the opportunity to engage with diverse audiences while enjoying a range of discounts and a strong focus on equality and support for the Armed Forces Community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Stakeholder Communications Officer in Chelmsford
✨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 Highways. 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 Highways, 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 Highways 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 Stakeholder Communications Officer in Chelmsford
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 Highways. 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 Highways.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex Highways
✨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.
