JOB PURPOSE Care Cooperative Communications Lead

Under the leadership of the Regional Care Cooperative Deliver Director this post holder is responsible for delivering both the internal and external communications priorities including and providing advice and guidance on significant reputational matters.

MAIN DUTIES Care Cooperative Communications Lead

• To support the Regional Care Cooperative Deliver Director to plan, develop and implement both internal and external communication activity, ensuring that colleagues and communities have easy access to relevant, clear and honest information, in ways which suit them and have an understanding of the Council, its services, policies and objectives.
• To oversee the day-to-day operation of a busy media relations function to ensure that messaging is consistent, materials are of high quality, the Council's reputation is enhanced and protected, and deadlines are met.
• To manage available resources to meet prioritised business need.
• To co-ordinate internal communication activities, ensuring consistency of message.
• To generate new initiatives and support change programmes to improve employee motivation and engagement, acting as a trusted advisor on internal communications.
• To develop and maintain excellent working relationships with senior officers, leadership teams, elected members, partners, journalists and other key stakeholders to ensure the delivery of high-quality communication advice, consistent messages, plans, products and research.
• To ensure that internal and external communications activity is well researched, evidence-based, planned, evaluated and aligned to Council priorities.
• To identify opportunities to improve external and internal communications, developing new approaches that enhance and protect the reputation of the Council.
• To support the Regional Care Cooperative Deliver Director in achieving value for money, ensuring transactional budget activity is progressed within required timescales and supporting delivery.
• To support the continuous review and improvement of the communications function, ensuring communications activity reflects best practice, innovation and emerging trends.

QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING Care Cooperative Communications Lead

Relevant qualification in journalism/public relations/communications to degree level or equivalent

Evidence of continuous professional, development

EXPERIENCE Care Cooperative Communications Lead

• Experience in a complex public relations/media environment providing support and advice to senior managers and politicians in complex/crisis situations.
• Experience of dealing with sensitive, high profile and/or controversial issues in a diplomatic way so as to maintain the Council's reputation and/or minimise the impact on the Councils reputation.
• Proven experience of delivering high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment, adapting quickly to changing priorities and business needs.

These requirements will be assessed through one or more of the following methods

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/APTITUDES Care Cooperative Communications Lead

• Knowledge of media law, libel and copyright issues
• A good understanding and insight into the workings of local government, the policies affecting it including opportunities and challenges it faces and political processes
• Influencing and negotiating skills
• Ability to gain confidence of a wide range of stakeholders and to maintain effective working relationships
• Demonstrable initiative and innovation, ability to think creatively and provide solutions to some of the communication challenges the organisation faces
• Ability to support in the management of emergency situations and reputational crisis management
• Excellent oral and written skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to manage a varied workload with conflicting deadlines in a high-pressured environment
• Motivated and able to motivate others
• Ability to make evidence based decisions
• Analyses and reflects on communication activity with a view to achieving continuous improvement both personally and in the service.