At a Glance
- Tasks: Create engaging content and manage communications for a local council.
- Company: Join a supportive local authority with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and valuable experience.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community through effective communication.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications or PR, strong writing skills, and media relations.
The predicted salary is between 35570 - 35570 £ per year.
Internal and External Communications & PR Specialist
About the Role
We are seeking a talented and proactive Internal and External Communications & PR Specialist to join our Communications Team on a six-month fixed-term contract.
This is an exciting opportunity to support the council's communications objectives by delivering engaging internal communications, managing external public relations activity, and helping to strengthen the authority's reputation among residents, partners, stakeholders and employees.
The successful candidate will play a key role in planning and delivering communications campaigns, producing high-quality content, managing media enquiries, and ensuring staff and stakeholders are informed, engaged and connected to the council's priorities and services.
Key Responsibilities
- Internal Communications
- Develop and deliver internal communications plans that inform, engage and inspire employees.
- Create compelling content for staff newsletters, intranet platforms, leadership messages and internal campaigns.
- Support organisational change programmes through clear and effective communication.
- Promote employee engagement initiatives and celebrate organisational achievements.
- Work with services across the council to ensure consistent messaging and timely communication.
- External Communications and PR
- Develop and implement communications and PR campaigns aligned to council priorities.
- Draft press releases, statements, briefing notes, speeches and other external communications materials.
- Manage media enquiries and cultivate positive relationships with local, regional and sector media outlets.
- Monitor media coverage and provide advice on reputational issues and emerging risks.
- Support the promotion of council services, projects and events through a range of communication channels.
- Assist with crisis and reactive communications when required.
- Digital Content and Stakeholder Engagement
- Produce engaging content for digital channels, including websites, social media and email communications.
- Ensure all communications are accurate, accessible and compliant with relevant legislation and council standards.
- Build positive working relationships with elected members, senior leaders, community organisations and key partners.
- Monitor communications performance and provide reports on campaign outcomes and media activity.
Person Specification
Essential Knowledge and Experience
- Experience in a communications, public relations or media relations role.
- Demonstrable experience producing content for both internal and external audiences.
- Experience managing media enquiries and developing positive media relationships.
- Strong copywriting, editing and proof-reading skills.
- Experience delivering communications campaigns across multiple channels.
- Understanding of digital communications and social media management.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent stakeholder management and interpersonal skills.
Essential Skills
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisational and project management abilities.
- Ability to translate complex information into clear and engaging content.
- Sound judgement and the ability to handle sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Desirable
- Experience working within local government, the public sector or a similarly regulated environment.
- Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive communications.
- Experience supporting change communications or employee engagement initiatives.
- Working Arrangements
This role offers flexible hybrid working, with a maximum requirement of two days per week in the office and the remainder worked remotely, subject to business needs.
What We Offer
- Salary of £35,570 per annum.
- Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
- Opportunity to contribute to meaningful public sector work that positively impacts local communities.
- Supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Valuable experience within a dynamic local authority communications team.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Internal and External Communications & PR Specialist employer: Schools’ Choice
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Internal and External Communications & PR Specialist
✨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 Schools’ Choice. 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 Schools’ Choice, 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 Schools’ Choice 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 Internal and External Communications & PR Specialist
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 Schools’ Choice. 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 Schools’ Choice.
How to prepare for a job interview at Schools’ Choice
✨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.
