Wandsworth Children’s Services have the highest ambitions to deliver the very best for our children and young people. 

We are passionate about improving the lives and life chances of children and young people. The Service is looking to permanently recruit to an exciting Senior Communications and Campaigns Officer post. This is a great opportunity for you to take a significant role in helping us in our work to provide every child and young person with the opportunity to realise their potential. In this unique and exciting new role you will lead and manage high-level communications advice, expertise and coordination for a large service area.

This role will require you to work collaboratively with senior management and colleagues to provide effective and efficient delivery of high-quality communications. You will lead and manage the team responsible for all aspects of Communication and Campaigns, for Children’s Services.  As the Senior Communications and Campaigns Officer you will be responsible for developing and implementing communication plans to promote Wandsworth Children’s Services projects, policies, and services. You will create and lead behaviour change campaign efforts, communications planning, storytelling and content creation across the organisation, and identify and deliver proactive PR initiatives to enhance the department’s reputation.

You will have an active knowledge of the issues facing children nationally and be able to quickly understand how these affect children and families locally in Wandsworth. You will be capable of responding swiftly to emerging issues. You will manage a small communications team responsible for delivering proactive and reactive internal digital communications, to ensure everyone across the directorate is informed and up to date through key messages.  

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

You will have;

• Outstanding writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• A proven track record of successfully managing and leading on the development of communication programmes in a large complex organization.
• Knowledge of local government policies and issues
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experienced in PR, media relations, or communications, preferably within a public sector or government environment. Previous experience as a journalist would be an advantage.
• A degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field

Closing Date:  15^th April

Shortlisting Date: W/C 22^nd April

Interview Date: TBC

Test/Presentation: There will be a task set prior to interview.

For an informal conversation please contact Gary Hipple Head of School Support Services and Traded Service via gary.hipple@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk 

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. 

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. 

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.