Aylesbury Town Council (ATC) is the Council closest to residents in the parish of Aylesbury. We are a voice for residents by representing their views on issues affecting them. Here at the Council, we are a warm, genuine, friendly Council looking for an enthusiastic individual to join us. We are a corporate body that takes huge pride in our work, and our employees are paramount in what we do. We strive to nurture employee wellbeing, maintaining excellent communication and professional relationships with one another - our employees are important to us.
About the Role
The Senior Communications Officer is a pivotal role at Aylesbury Town Council, responsible for shaping how the Council communicates with it’s residents, partners, stakeholders and staff. This is a hybrid position that combines strategic leadership with hands on operational delivery, ensuring the Council maintains a clear, consistent and proactive voice.
As the Council’s professional lead for Communications, you will set the overall direction of our internal and external communications, protect and develop the Councils brand and provide high quality advice to senior officers and Councillors. You will pay a key role in managing the Councils reputation, leading crisis communications when needed, and ensuring all communications meet legal, regulatory and accessibility standards.
Alongside this strategic leadership, the role is also operational. You will oversee and contribute to day- to- day content creation across digital and print channels, support council events and ensure the quality and consistency of everything we publish on our channels. You will lead on corporate messaging, coordinate communications activity across service areas and work closely with colleagues to ensure that our communications are timely, engaging and aligned with our priorities.
This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional who can think strategically, deliver effectively and help shape the Councils identity and engagement with the Community.
Contract Type
Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week
£36,893 per annum
Location
Aylesbury Town Council, Town Hall, 5 Church Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 2QP
Job Responsibilities
Strategic Communications Leadership
* Develop, implement and review the Councils Communications Strategy
* Provide expert advice to the Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk, SMT and Councillors on Communication matters.
* Lead Corporate messaging to make sure alignment with Councils corporate plan
* Identify reputation risk and advice on appropriate mitigation
* Lead crisis and business continuity communications in partnership with the Town Clerk.
* Provide regular strategic updates and performance reports to Committee.
* Shape and protect the Council’s brand and public identity.
* Ensure the Council’s communications are accessible, compliant and aligned with legal obligations, including GDPR, Accessibility Regulations and the Transparency Code.
Campaigns, Planning & Stakeholder Management
* Develop annual and project‑specific communications plans across all departments.
* Work with managers and staff to identify communications needs and priorities.
* Oversee multi‑channel campaigns, ensuring measurable impact and organisational buy‑in.
* Support internal communication strategies that strengthen culture and support change.
* Build trust and understanding of the communications function across the organisation.
* Report on communications outcomes and analytics, providing strategic insights.
Press, Media & Public Relations
* Act as the primary media contact for the Council.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional and sector media.
* Scan for coverage opportunities and proactively promote Council initiatives.
* Respond to press enquiries, prepare statements, and brief senior officers and Members.
Operational Communications Delivery
* Oversee all corporate communication channels, ensuring quality, timeliness and accessibility.
* Manage the Council’s print publications, digital newsletters and Member communications.
* Attend events (including evenings/weekends) to provide live social media and photography.
* Approve content produced by the Communications Officer and support high‑profile copywriting tasks.
* Create content when required, ensuring it is accurate, accessible and aligned with the corporate tone of voice.
* Advise teams on suitable content formats and accessibility standards.
* Maintain and update content calendars and channel process documents.
Digital, Data & Technology
* Lead the development of digital engagement channels, including social media, website and e‑communications tools.
* Oversee website content in line with accessibility regulations.
* Use analytics and engagement data to inform strategy and improve performance.
* Identify opportunities for digital innovation to enhance community engagement.
* Deliver strategic communications projects arising from the Communications Strategy.
* Support Council‑wide initiatives including events, consultations and major projects.
* Ensure communications support is built into all corporate projects from the outset.
Line Management
* Line manage the Communications Officer, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
* Provide coaching, mentoring and professional development.
* Identify skills gaps and source training where required.
* Provide operational cover for the Communications Officer when necessary.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
* Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience in communications, marketing, digital media or a related field.
* Evidence of ongoing professional development in communications, media, digital engagement or related areas.
Knowledge
* Strong understanding of strategic communications, branding and reputation management.
* Knowledge of public‑sector communication standards, including accessibility regulations (WCAG 2.1), GDPR requirements and transparency obligations.
* Understanding of media relations, including responding to enquiries, preparing statements and managing coverage.
* Knowledge of social media platforms, website content management and digital communication best practice.
* Awareness of the political environment and the role of Town and Parish Councils.
Experience
* Experience developing and delivering communication strategies or major communications plans.
* Experience producing high‑quality content across digital and print channels.
* Experience managing social media accounts, websites and interpreting digital analytics.
* Experience handling media enquiries and drafting press releases or public statements.
* Experience managing communications projects or campaigns from planning to evaluation.
* Experience providing communications advice to senior officers, managers or decision‑makers.
* Experience leading, supervising or mentoring staff or demonstrating leadership within a communications setting.
Skills & Abilities
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt messaging to different audiences.
* Ability to think strategically while delivering effective operational communications.
* Strong copywriting, editing and proofreading skills.
* Ability to analyse data and insights to inform communications activity.
* Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work independently.
* Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
* Political sensitivity and the ability to handle confidential or contentious information appropriately.
* Ability to identify reputational risks and provide sound professional judgement.
* Creative problem‑solving skills and the ability to generate new ideas.
Personal Attributes
* Proactive, self‑motivated and able to work autonomously.
* Professional, calm and confident under pressure.
* High attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and quality.
* Flexible and willing to attend events during evenings and weekends.
* Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all communications.
* Strong sense of public service and commitment to the local community.
These are some of the benefits individuals can enjoy from working for the Council:
* A generous Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
* Pay scales that are competitive and reviewed annually.
* 23 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro‑rated for part time).
* Increase to 26 days annual leave after 5 years’ service (pro‑rated for part time).
* 2 days statutory leave.
* Health and Wellbeing services including fast‑track and free counselling service.
* Other benefits include access to employee funded health insurance, dental insurance, financial guidance, retail discounts, mortgage advice and gym membership.
* Hybrid working arrangements available.
Closing Date: 22 March 2026.
(Note: should we receive a high volume of applications, we may bring forward the closing date).
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