Press and PR officer (External and Internal)
Contract: Essex Highways
Location: Chelmsford
Contract Type: Permanent
We’re looking for a talented and creative communicator to help shape how Essex Highways shares its stories and engages with the public. You’ll uncover and promote the vital work we do across the county, using innovative content across multiple channels to reach key audiences. Confident in both proactive storytelling and reactive communications, you’ll play a key role in managing the service’s reputation and influencing how it’s perceived. This is a fast-paced, high-profile role that calls for someone adaptable, solution-focused, and full of ideas.
The Role
•Responsible for developing responses to a range of enquiries, including those from the media, County Council Members, the public and Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests.
•Develop and maintain strong relationships with colleagues within the Essex Highways service in order to develop clear and accurate responses and identify PR opportunities and positive stories to promote Essex Highways that can be communicated externally and internally.
•Responsible for helping to develop campaigns and communications strategies, executed by the whole Essex Highways communications team. Develop content for all Essex Highways communications channels, including short videos and podcasts; press releases and responses; social media content; publications; bulletins, video-screen and noticeboard content; web content; presentations, briefings and conferences; FoIs and EIRs.
•Provide media advice and support to the Cabinet Member and their team on a range of proactive and reactive media opportunities.
•Provide support to the Communications Manager in developing communications and engagement handling for Members, encouraging them to promote the service and talk to their residents about works happening in their districts.
About You
•Full driving licence.
• Excellent written, oral and presentational communication skills, interpersonal and listening skills
• Experience of advising elected members or directors and influencing local decision makers and other stakeholders preferred
•Understanding of the structure of local government, the role of elected members and current issues facing local government preferred
Benefits
At Ringway Jacobs we recognise that our people make the difference, and in order to do what we do well, particular care is taken in nurturing and investing in our people. That’s why you will always be given the opportunity to utilise your expertise and develop your career.
Ringway Jacobs recognises the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home life by offering flexible working arrangements across many of our roles. We therefore welcome applications from people looking for an alternative working pattern e.g. part-time hours, job share etc. Please let us know on your CV or cover letter if this is what you are looking for.
In return for your hard work you will receive:
- Sick Pay
- Competitive salary
- Opportunity to purchase up to 5 days extra leave
- A variety of discounts through our “RJ Rewards” app, including restaurants, holidays, days out etc
- Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Pension scheme
The Company
We are Ringway Jacobs, a leading highways service provider working with local authorities across the UK. Formed in 2005, specifically to provide road network management solutions to local government, our unique blend of engineering capability, innovation and customer care make us the best in class. We support over 10,000 miles of highways, 10,000 miles of footway, almost 7,800 miles of public rights of way and 242,000 street lights. We excel in delivering safe, sustainable service excellence, through our passion, integrity and collaborative culture.
Ringway Jacobs is an equal opportunities employer. We wish to ensure equality of opportunity in employment and the fair treatment of all our employees.