Communications Officer - DGA13778

Job Description

Communications Officer (1/26)

Dumfries with the ability for hybrid working

Band 8 £36,774 - £39,363

Band 9 £40,470 - £43,437

Do you have a passion for storytelling, communications and public service?

Would you like a role where no two days are the same and where your work helps shape how thousands of people understand, access and engage with council services?

We're looking for a creative, proactive and experienced communications professional to join our Communications Unit.

The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering our communications strategy 2025-2028: Clear. Trusted. People-first communication. Our ambition is to be a trusted voice for Dumfries and Galloway, delivering clear, accessible and engaging communication that builds confidence in our organisation and the services we provide.

You'll help protect and enhance our reputation by developing and delivering strategic communications, media relations, campaigns and digital content across a wide range of channels. From major regeneration projects and council priorities to everyday frontline services, your work will help local people understand the decisions, services and opportunities that affect their lives.

A significant part of the role will involve helping deliver the Communications Unit's new multi-channel social media approach. You'll create engaging content, help manage and grow our corporate social media channels, identify opportunities for digital engagement and use insight and performance data to shape future activity. You'll also help plan and deliver campaigns, develop platform-specific content and support our growing presence across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and other digital channels.

You'll be a key contact for council services, providing professional communications advice and identifying opportunities to promote projects, initiatives and achievements that support the ambitions of the Council Plan. You'll also play an important role in responding to media enquiries, supporting crisis communications when required and maintaining high editorial standards across our work.

You'll help colleagues communicate effectively using the standards and tools developed by the Communications Unit, including our Brand Guidelines, House Style Guide and The Way communications governance framework. You'll also help make the most of our best-in-class LocalGov Drupal website and growing social media presence.

Educated to degree level or equivalent at Band 9 salary scale, preferably in communications, media, public relations or a related discipline, you'll have excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience of working in a communications, media, marketing or public information environment and a strong understanding of how social media can be used to engage audiences and deliver organisational objectives.

Salary placing is dependent on experience and qualifications.

You'll be an excellent writer, able to translate complex information into clear, accessible content, build strong working relationships and balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Experience of developing and growing social media channels, planning campaigns and measuring communications outcomes would be advantageous.

Requirements

A current driving licence is an essential requirement of this post. However, if you have a disability which precludes you from holding a driving licence consideration will be given if alternative transport can be arranged.

In return, you'll join a supportive and ambitious team at an exciting time for communications within Dumfries and Galloway Council. You'll help shape our growing multi-channel social media presence and contribute to some of the region's most significant projects, priorities and campaigns.

With an exciting benefits package, working for Dumfries and Galloway Council supports you to invest in your own health and wellbeing.  Employees have access to our bespoke Vivup platform with over 800 discounts on everyday essentials from top UK retailers, restaurants, utility providers and more.  Employees also get access to membership of The Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) exclusive discounts from local businesses, a Cycle-to-Work scheme, financial support from My Money Matters, and guidance from our trained Wellbeing Champions.

Here at Dumfries and Galloway Council we are committed to equality, diversity and equal opportunity with our values, which include treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect, driving us to tackle inequality. We are looking for people that can bring different perspectives and experiences and especially welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our organisation.

If there's anything we've missed here, that isn't in the attached job description, or you'd just like a chat about the role, contact David Sawyer, Communications Manager, on or at david.sawyer@dumgal.gov.uk