Our local authority client is looking for a Comms & Marketing Manager to maintain and improve the reputation and public image by leading the development, implementation and delivery of integrated internal and external departmental communications and marketing plans and activity, following corporate standards and guidelines.

A MINIMUM OF 3 YEARS IN A SIMILAR ROLE REQUIRED.

THE ROLE:

- To be accountable for the delivery and co-ordination of internal and external communications and marketing activity for nominated departments.
- To create and implement departmental communications and marketing strategies, based on departmental and corporate aims and objectives, which meet the requirements of the corporate communications strategy.
- To work with the relevant executive member(s) and director and/or departmental management team(s), and colleagues in the communications and consultation team, to develop an annual communications forward plan for the department(s), which is part of the communications and consultation forward planning process.
- To co-ordinate communication and marketing activity including; channel management, publications production, liaison with the media relations team, internal communication, web and intranet, campaigns and co-ordination of communication with members.
- To provide professional and effective communications and marketing advice, guidance and support on all communications and marketing issues affecting the department, to members, managers and other senior officers.
- To develop and maintain positive and productive working relationships with partner organisations (following and developing existing protocols) and stakeholder groups, as well as other services, in order to progress the department's communications and marketing strategy and to provide professional advice and guidance as required.
- To play an influential role in building a pro-active communications and marketing capacity and expertise in nominated departments and develop a departmental communications and marketing forum.
- To develop a network of web and intranet editors with the corporate web team, ensuring consistent application of corporate standards and quality control for nominated departments.
- To work with consultation colleagues to achieve an integrated approach for research and engagement and ensure the results of customer satisfaction surveys are fed into communication and marketing plans.
- To motivate and performance manage staff in the communications and marketing team to ensure that agreed targets and outcomes are consistently met in accordance with the 's policies and priorities. To develop the team and actively be part of the wider communications and consultation team.
- To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the wider policy and practice environment for nominated departments' services and for local government in general.
- To lead on the management and procurement of external contractors in support of communication projects for the department(s), including designers, copywriters, photographers, working at all times within the 's procurement procedures.
- To manage, monitor and advise on the consistent application of plain English standards and the 's house style for written communications and the visual identity guidelines for design applications.
- To log and record, manage and monitor, the production of communication projects and safeguard the output, artwork, images, electronically and through copyright, for use by the whole.
- To develop standards, procedures, protocols, performance indicators and ways of evaluating and measuring communications and marketing activity.
- To actively contribute to the strategic management and development of the communication and consultation service, both corporately and departmentally, and be part of communication groups and forums.
- To manage and monitor the budget for communication projects, whilst taking every opportunity to explore and secure economies of scale, synergy and effectiveness.
- To be fully aware of and abide by the law governing local authority publicity.
- To implement other communication projects as identified in the corporate communications strategy.
- The postholder will spend some time each week physically located within nominated departments and within the corporate communications and consultation team.
- The postholder may be required to work some weekends and evenings.

THE PERSON:

- Minimum of three years experience in a similar role
- A relevant communication or marketing qualification is desirable.
- Experience of developing and implementing communication and marketing plans, strategies, campaigns and projects.
- Experience and knowledge of the full range of communications and marketing techniques.
- Experience of the application of house style and visual identity across the full range of media.
- Experience of giving professional advice to and gaining the confidence of senior managers
- Ability to manage staff, including writers, designers, editors and consultants.
- An understanding of local authorities, the political environment in which they operate, and knowledge of the current issues and key challenges facing them, including knowledge of the various laws and codes governing public relations and communications, including those specific to local government
- Excellent inter-personal skills with the ability to form productive, professional working relationships with a diverse range of individuals and groups.
- Excellent inter-personal skills with the ability to form productive, professional working relationships with a diverse range of individuals and groups.
- Excellent communications skills, both oral and in writing, including presentation skills
- Ability to make sound and timely decisions and find solutions to complex public relations problems.