At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop public information strategies for Birmingham City Council.
- Company: Join the Birmingham City Council and make a difference in your community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits plans, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to lead a team and manage crisis communications.
- Why this job: Shape public perception and engage with the community through impactful communication.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and extensive experience in public information or communications.
The predicted salary is between 44348 - 54204 £ per year.
As the Senior Public Information Officer for the Public Information Team of the Birmingham City Council, the primary role is to lead, develop, and plan for the dissemination of information to the general public and key stakeholders. Overall, this role is important to ensure that the Birmingham City Council's advocacy and engagement are presented to the public accurately, timely, and consistently with widely accepted professional communication standards.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $95,000.00 + voluntary participation in the defined and fringe benefits plans.
Education and Experience Requirements
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university with at least ten (10) years of public information, journalism, corporate communications, and management experience.
- We reserve the right to consider applicants with a master's degree from an accredited college/university, consistent employment history, and seven (7) years of management experience.
Communication Skills
Superior written and verbal communication skills. Ability to translate complex, technical data into easily understood information for the general public.
Technical Proficiency
Demonstrable experience with digital content management systems, social media analytics, and basic desktop publishing or multimedia software.
Temperament
Ability to work well under pressure, meet tight deadlines, flexible work schedule, and navigate stressful situations with tact and professionalism.
Core Responsibilities
- Media Relations & Strategy: Act as the official department spokesperson in the absence of an elected official (i.e., city councilor). Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and broadcasting professionals.
- Crisis Communications: Lead communication efforts during critical incidents, emergencies, or public relations crises. Draft timely and effective awareness campaigns, alerts, and statements to mitigate reputational risks and refute inaccurate information.
- Content Creation & Management: Oversee the drafting and distribution of press releases, speeches, newsletters, executive communications, and social media content. Ensure all outgoing materials are accurate and reflect the desired public image of the Birmingham City Council.
- Team Leadership: Supervise and train other Public Information team members as appropriate. Assign tasks, monitor the quality of work, and ensure deadlines are met efficiently.
- Public Outreach: Develop and implement community outreach initiatives and public awareness campaigns in partnership with the Birmingham City Council. Oversee the Birmingham City Council's website, video production, social media platforms, and digital presence.
EEO Statement
The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Accommodation
To request an accommodation in the application or hiring process due to your own ongoing medical condition or disability, please contact our Accommodations Coordinator at accommodationrequest@pbjcal.org or phone at 205-279-3500 (select option 1) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time.
Senior Public Information Officer - Birmingham City Council employer: pbjcal
Birmingham City Council is an exceptional employer that values transparency, community engagement, and professional development. As a Senior Public Information Officer, you will thrive in a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation while offering competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits. Located in the vibrant city of Birmingham, this role provides unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact on public communication and community outreach.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Public Information Officer - Birmingham City Council
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Public Information Officer - Birmingham City Council
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 pbjcal. 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 pbjcal.
How to prepare for a job interview at pbjcal
✨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.
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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.
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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.
