Media and Communications Manager

Job Description

Media & Communications Manager (001424)Reports to Head of ServiceResponsible for: 2Total staff managed 2Working environment Predominately office based but required to travel locally/regionally if requiredWorking Hours 37 hours per week over 7 days depending on business requirementsPurpose of roleTo lead the Council’s Corporate Communication activities, both internally and externally, in order to support the delivery of strategic priorities set out in the corporate planKey result areasCorporate responsibilities

1. To maintain the Corporate Communications Strategy, and maintain the supporting corporate communications policies including the Media and Publicity Protocols and Member Invitation Protocols
2. To provide Corporate Communications support to assist Council work across the authority, including advising senior managers and councillors. This support includes the production and delivery of multi-channel communications strategies, where necessary, for specific projects, events and campaigns
3. To prepare the Council’s media spokespeople - senior councillors and managers - for media interviews, to advise them on corporate messaging and managing communications risks, and to act where necessary as corporate spokesperson
4. To maintain effective working relations with a range of external partners, including other communications/marketing leads at local/national agencies, and to represent the Council at the Norfolk Public Sector Communicators Forum.
5. Any other work required and as directed within the confines of the existing grading and post

Operational responsibilities

1. To run the proactive press office service, including writing press releases and statements, responding appropriately to media requests for information, interviews and filming/photography permits, managing press photo calls/launches/briefings, and maintaining effective working relations with the media
2. To produce the Borough News and assist with the production of other Council publications, such as the News & Views, the Business News, Business Handbook and Investor Prospectus
3. To lead on and further develop the Council’s proactive use of social media across appropriate channels, to provide advice and training for staff and councillors using social media, and to be responsible for the Social Networking Policies for Employees and Members
4. To directly line manage the Communications and Media Officer and Website and Online Services Assistant setting objectives, supporting development and monitoring performance
5. To assist the CEO, members of Management Team and HR with internal communications and staff engagement, including (but not exclusive to) the drafting of CEO’s messages to colleagues and the sending out of staff communications through the intranet and Tidings
6. To lead on crisis communications to ensure the Council’s effective response in the event of a civil and/or reputational emergency.
7. To provide communications assistance for elections, public consultations and surveys, including advising on questions, helping with consultation materials/letters and maintaining the consultations section on the website.
8. To attend relevant Council meetings and write and present reports as necessary.
9. To offer communications support and seek collaborative working on relevant marketing-led projects, and to support development of a corporate marketing function.
10. To write inspirational speeches for ELT and senior councillors to deliver at conferences, official openings, award ceremonies, study visits and other such events
11. To produce and commission photography and filming, as necessary, to help promote Council work, and to proactively promote the borough for positive commercial filming
12. To provide communications assistance on behalf of the Council to support ministerial/VIP visits, where necessary