At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate digital communications for Southend on Sea City Council.
- Company: Join a dynamic local authority committed to community service and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for career growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your digital communication skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing digital channels and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Your New Organisation
Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend. Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work-life balance.
As a Unitary Authority, we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.
Your new role
Southend-on-Sea City Council is looking for an experienced and innovative Digital Communications Manager to lead the development, management and continuous improvement of the Council's core communications channels. This contract is offered on a full-time and permanent basis.
In this key role, you will oversee the Council's digital and corporate communication platforms, including the website, intranet, Viva Engage, Livewell, Your Say Southend, e-communications, digital screens, video content, and print and design services. Working closely with the Head of Service, you will ensure these channels effectively support the Council's vision and priorities, delivering the right information to the right audience at the right time.
You will be responsible for managing the Council's overall digital communications function, ensuring content is engaging, accessible, customer-focused and written in plain English. You will use insight, data and evaluation to monitor channel performance, identify opportunities for improvement and ensure a positive user experience across all platforms.
As the Council's lead adviser on corporate communications channels, you will support and influence colleagues across the organisation, ensuring the most effective communication methods are used to engage residents, businesses, partners and staff. You will also oversee digital channel governance, monitor print and design expenditure, manage external contracts and promote best practice across the organisation. A significant part of the role will involve evaluating the effectiveness of communications activity, establishing evidence-based best practice and identifying innovative solutions that improve engagement, accessibility and value for money.
This is a hybrid role, with an expectation to work in the office an average of two days per week. The successful candidate will be required to travel locally, regionally and occasionally nationally to meet service needs. Flexibility is essential, as occasional work outside normal office hours may be required to support operational requirements, planned activities and key business priorities.
What you'll need to succeed
To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced communications professional with a strong background in managing digital communication channels, corporate content and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate will have:
- Significant experience managing websites, intranets and other digital communication platforms.
- Strong understanding of digital content management, user experience and accessibility principles.
- Experience using data, insight and evaluation to improve communication effectiveness.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and engaging content in plain English.
- Experience advising and influencing stakeholders at all levels, building positive and collaborative working relationships.
- The ability to manage competing priorities, projects and deadlines within a fast-paced environment.
- Experience overseeing external suppliers, contracts, print and design services would be highly beneficial.
- A passion for digital innovation and continuous improvement, with a customer-focused approach to service delivery.
- A full and clean driving license as well as access to own car will be essential for this role.
What you'll get in return
When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab.
What you need to do now
If you are interested in this role, please click "apply online" to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. If you would like a copy of the Job Description, please click here. Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to. The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R2R103946 - Digital Communications Manager - Permanent
✨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 South End City Council. 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 South End City Council, 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 South End City Council 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 R2R103946 - Digital Communications Manager - Permanent
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 South End City Council. 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 South End City Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at South End City Council
✨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.
