At a Glance
- Tasks: Create engaging content and manage social media for a local MP's constituency.
- Company: Join a dynamic team supporting an active local MP in Jarrow and Gateshead East.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and the chance to make a real community impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and involvement in exciting community events.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of local communication and engage with your community.
- Qualifications: Strong writing skills and experience in communications or digital content creation.
About the Role
Kate Osborne MP is looking to recruit a creative, proactive and highly organised Communications Officer to join her constituency team. This is an exciting opportunity to support the work of an active local MP, communicating Kate’s parliamentary and constituency work clearly and effectively to residents, community organisations, media and other stakeholders. The postholder will produce engaging digital, press and written content across a range of platforms. They will help develop and deliver a proactive communications strategy that reflects local priorities, promotes community and ensures that constituents are kept informed about Kate’s work. The role will be based in the constituency and will involve accompanying Kate on visits, meetings, community events and other engagements across Jarrow and Gateshead East.
Key responsibilities:
- Establish, monitor and update a social media and online presence in the constituency. Produce online graphics and video content, as well as publicising surgeries and news alerts etc.
- Follow up on social media queries and comments.
- Manage and monitor social media enquiries, dealing with cases that do not need to be transferred to a higher level. Ensure all enquiries are dealt with in a timely manner.
- Monitor media coverage, liaise with media, prepare press releases as required (on constituency, non-party-political matters).
- Produce press releases, liaise with the media, meeting deadlines as appropriate.
- Analyse patterns of enquiries and produce reports.
- Attend constituency meetings as appropriate.
- Critically analyse patterns of enquiries and articulate the findings in reports and communication with the MP and other staff members.
- Retain records and information confidentially and in line with the Data Protection Act.
- There may be a requirement for the role holder to work outside of the normal working hours and travel for work occasionally.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience of communications: journalism, public relations, digital content creation, political campaigning or a related field.
- Strong skills in creating engaging content for social media and digital platforms.
- The ability to write accurate and accessible copy for different audiences and formats.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
- The ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Confidence engaging with community organisations and stakeholders.
- The ability to work independently, use initiative and contribute effectively as part of a small team.
- Sympathy with the aims and values of the trade union and Labour movement, and a commitment to improving outcomes for people across Jarrow and Gateshead East.
Closing Date: 31st July 2026
Interviews will take place the week commencing 10th August. We would love to hear from you, so why not apply today and join our team!
Location: Jarrow and Gateshead East constituency
Salary: In line with IPSA Pay scales £23810 – £37846
Hours: Full Time, Permanent
Reference: AGS663
Communications Officer in Gateshead employer: Smart Hire
Idsall School is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of both its students and staff. With a strong commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture, employees benefit from professional growth opportunities and a collaborative environment dedicated to safeguarding children's welfare. Located in a vibrant community, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact during term time, ensuring a rewarding experience for those passionate about education and student support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Officer in Gateshead
✨Get Involved in PR Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Communications Officer in Gateshead
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 Smart Hire. 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 Smart Hire.
How to prepare for a job interview at Smart Hire
✨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.
