Senior Communications Officer

West of England Combined Authority; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional authority in England is seeking a Senior Communications Officer to create and deliver effective communication strategies. The role involves content creation, audience engagement, and strong relationship management with media and stakeholders. Applicants should be highly motivated with excellent communication skills and a political awareness. The position offers a competitive salary, hybrid working conditions, and a supportive environment focused on professional growth and development.

Benefits

26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme with 15.3% employer contribution

Flexible and family-friendly working options

Reduced bus fare travel

Qualifications

• Confident and politically astute communications professional with a strong track record.
• Experience in delivering creative, audience-focused content and campaigns.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver effective communications strategies and campaigns.
• Create engaging content across a range of channels.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media and stakeholders.
• Support leadership with briefings and communications.

Skills

Effective communication

Content creation

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Political astuteness

Job description

Job Introduction

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is seeking to appoint a Senior Communications Officer to join the Communications & Marketing team.

In this role, you will play a key part in delivering high-impact communications that promote the Authority’s priorities, campaigns, infrastructure delivery and investment outcomes. Reporting to the News and Media Manager, your key responsibilities will include:

• Designing and delivering effective communications strategies and campaigns aligned with political and organisational priorities.
• Creating engaging and impactful content across a range of channels, including media releases, social media, digital and video.
• Planning and delivering communications campaigns and single-output initiatives that achieve measurable results.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with regional media and key stakeholders, acting as a trusted point of contact.
• Supporting political and corporate leadership through clear briefings and timely communications.
• Monitoring and managing reputational risks, providing rapid and appropriate responses when required.

You will be a confident and politically astute communications professional, with a strong track record of delivering creative, audience-focused content and campaigns. You will be comfortable working at pace, managing multiple priorities, and representing the organisation with professionalism and sound judgement.

If this is your next role, please apply and tell us why you’d be a great fit.

About The Company

For more information, please see the full job description.

Our Offer

Alongside the opportunity to lead change, drive strategic initiatives, and make a real difference in the West of England, we offer an excellent benefits package including:

• 26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous or reckonable service. There is also the option to increase your annual leave with our annual leave purchase scheme.
• 1 day ofpaid leave each year to volunteer
• Local Government Pension Scheme with an employer contribution of 15.3%
• Flexible, family friendly and hybrid working options to ensure you achieve the best work/life balance and career goals. We followa hybrid working model with typically 2 or 3 days in the office each week
• Reduced bus fare travel across the West of England

The West of England is an amazing part of the world to live and work. We are based ina new bright and airy office, with all the latest technology, close to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station.

The salary for this role is £42, 839 - £46, 142. This is the full-time equivalent salary, and will be pro‑rata for part‑time. We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments for external candidates typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year‑on‑year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.

We believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, empowering you to thrive in your career. We prioritise your growth and success by providing a diverse range of learning and development opportunities. Our goal is to keep you motivated, equipped with essential skills, and confident in delivering excellent services.

Good Employment Charter

As a founding Member of the West of England Good Employment Charter and accredited Living Wage Employer, we’re committed to creating a diverse environment where all our employees can thrive. We make sure all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and we particularly welcome applications from under‑represented groups without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or citizenship status.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you have an accessibility need, disability, condition or need any additional support that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Resourcing Team at [e-mail] . We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Please note this vacancy may close early or be extended depending on the number of applications so please don’t wait to apply. If you have started your application, we’ll give you notice of the new closing date by email.

From a recruitment agency? We’re not engaging with agencies for this role. Any CVs received from agencies will be considered as unsolicited and the property of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with no obligation to pay agency fees.

Attached documents

• Job Description