Communication Officer

Fixed Term Contract /Secondment Opportunity until 30 April 2027

Hackney Council is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated communications professional for a key new role in its award‑winning Communications team.

Hackney is changing. The borough has undergone massive public and private investment, transforming transport, education and opportunities for residents. Some residents feel they are not seeing the benefits of this change and are worried about the future as housing costs rise and high streets evolve.

Building a fairer Hackney is at the heart of the Council’s work. The Regeneration team is responding to the challenge with one of the biggest in‑house Council house building programmes in the UK, and work to ensure the growth of areas such as Dalston and Shoreditch brings opportunities to residents, better high streets, public spaces, jobs and affordable workspace.

This post will engage and involve residents in that change, ensuring the Council’s regeneration programme reflects their ambitions for their communities. It will work as part of a team to deliver communications, media relations and stakeholder engagement, and will campaign for the policy changes that will help the Council achieve its goals.

Responsibilities

• Work in the Communications and Regeneration teams, establishing relationships across both.
• Manage relationships with residents, businesses and major developers.
• Provide strategic communications advice to officers and politicians.
• Deliver first‑class communications: manage the press, create engaging social media content and respond to the local community.
• Campaign for policy changes to advance the Council’s regeneration programme.
• Ensure a consistent message to stakeholders across multiple projects.

Qualifications

• Track record of providing excellent communications support and stakeholder management.
• Experience operating successfully in a large and ideally political organisation.
• Ability to work with a range of external organisations to deliver communications goals.
• Experience in local government communications or the regeneration sector is preferable but not essential.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences.

Application Process

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs. To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application. As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency‑based questions that allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to consider the value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Prior to applying for a vacancy for a secondment opportunity, please liaise with your line manager and inform them of your interest in applying for the role.

Closing date for applications: 25 November 2025 (22:59)
Interview and assessment date: W/C 08 December 2025

Contact

Email: Kristoffer.Backer-Rowley@hackney.gov.uk

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under‑represented in our workforce. We also welcome those interested in flexible working.

Support for Residents

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk