At a Glance
- Tasks: Create engaging communications and manage internal messaging for a public sector transformation programme.
- Company: Join a large public sector organisation in Birmingham with a hybrid working model.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities to lead engaging campaigns and drive change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming complex information into accessible content for diverse audiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications, exceptional writing skills, and proficiency in digital platforms required.
The predicted salary is between 44709 - 54645 £ per year.
Location: Birmingham Hybrid Working (Minimum 1 day per week in the office)
Contract Length: Until March 2027
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Communications Officer to join a large public sector organisation on a high-profile transformation programme. This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and has a proven track record of delivering high-quality communications at pace.
The successful candidate will be an experienced communications practitioner with exceptional attention to detail, outstanding writing skills, and the ability to translate complex information into engaging and accessible content. You will play a key role in supporting the Finance Directorate, driving behavioural change through effective communication and ensuring key messages reach colleagues, customers, and suppliers in a clear and compelling way.
Key Responsibilities
- Internal Communications Management
- Develop and continuously improve the Communications Plan for the Finance Directorate.
- Create, edit and distribute newsletters, bulletins, updates and key organisational announcements.
- Manage and support intranet, SharePoint and Microsoft Teams content to facilitate effective information sharing and collaboration.
- Coordinate messaging across internal channels to ensure consistency, clarity and alignment with directorate objectives and organisational priorities.
- Content Creation and Writing
- Produce high-quality written communications for a variety of internal audiences.
- Translate complex financial information into engaging, easy-to-understand content that drives behavioural change.
- Develop and maintain communications templates, style guides and content standards.
- Create engaging visual communications, workflows, infographics and supporting materials, working closely with design and communications specialists where required.
- Customer-Focused Communications
- Rewrite and improve customer-facing correspondence to be benefit-led and customer-centric.
- Convert complex financial and council terminology into plain English.
- Create accessible communications that explain council and financial processes clearly and effectively.
- Develop messaging that positions the Finance Directorate as supportive, customer-focused and solution-oriented.
- Supplier Communications
- Design and deliver campaigns supporting procurement and finance initiatives, including 'No PO, No Pay'.
- Develop supplier communications explaining new processes and requirements.
- Create behavioural change and compliance-focused messaging.
- Produce guidance materials, updates and engagement content for suppliers.
- Colleague Engagement and Change Communications
- Deliver communications that support organisational and cultural change.
- Develop campaigns that encourage adoption of new systems, processes and ways of working.
- Create messaging that promotes compliance, accountability and effective budget management.
- Support change programmes by building awareness, understanding and engagement among colleagues.
- Events and Engagement
- Plan and coordinate directorate meetings, staff briefings, away days, training events and workshops.
- Manage logistics and communications for staff engagement activities.
- Support staff suggestion schemes, surveys and feedback initiatives.
- Monitor engagement and recommend improvements to communication effectiveness.
Essential Requirements
- Experience working as a Communications Officer, Internal Communications Officer, Communications Business Partner or Communications Manager.
- Proven experience within a large public sector organisation, such as a Local Authority, NHS Trust, Government Department, Combined Authority, Public Body or Housing Association.
- Professional communications qualification or equivalent communications experience.
- Exceptional written communication skills with strong attention to detail.
- Demonstrable experience producing internal communications, engagement campaigns and change communications.
- Experience translating complex or technical information into engaging, audience-focused content.
- Proficiency with SharePoint, Microsoft Teams and digital communication platforms.
- Experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities within tight deadlines.
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
If you are an experienced communications professional with a public sector background and a passion for creating impactful, engaging content, we would love to hear from you.
Communications Officer in Birmingham employer: Hays Accounts and Finance
Join a leading international organisation that prioritises payroll as a strategic function, offering a dynamic work culture where your expertise will drive meaningful process improvements across multiple European countries. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, this role provides unique opportunities to enhance vendor relationships and ensure operational excellence in a supportive environment. Located in a vibrant region, you will benefit from a collaborative atmosphere that values innovation and compliance, making it an excellent place for professionals seeking rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Officer in Birmingham
✨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 Hays Accounts and Finance. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
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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 Hays Accounts and Finance, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
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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
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We think you need these skills to ace Communications Officer in Birmingham
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 Hays Accounts and Finance. 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 Hays Accounts and Finance.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Accounts and Finance
✨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.