Senior External Communications Advisor (B2B specialist)
Fixed Term / Secondment (12 months), Full Time
£48,110 to £56,600 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style:
Closing Date: 5th October 2025
We are looking for an experienced external communications specialist to support the work of our Sustainable Growth directorate. The Sustainable growth directorate leads Essex County Council’s role as a systems leader for Skills and Economic growth, partnering with public and private sectors to position Essex as a hub of innovation, enterprise and ambition. The directorate takes an integrated approach to skills development, business support, sector growth and inward investment across the county.
We require someone with significant experience and expertise delivering B2B and B2C communications. We are looking for someone who is committed and passionate and who can champion the need for strategic, thoughtful communications and engagement strategies.
You’ll work with colleagues to implement an approach to external stakeholders, contributing to engagement efforts that build and maintain trusting relationships with businesses, industry representatives and partners. The role requires an individual who is adaptable, adept at working in a fast-moving environment. You will understand how to collaborate, working with stakeholders at every level and be comfortable navigating shifting priorities and complex work to deliver impact.
You’ll work with leaders to develop a strategic approach to communications, working to best practice models and analysing data to evaluate the performance of activity, identify trends, opportunities and challenges, and recommend improvements to ensure effective strategies are delivered. You’ll ensure processes and ways of working are effectively implemented.
You’ll support the planning and delivery of events that promote Essex as a prime location for business, investment and leisure.
You’ll be the lead communications officer engaging with political and corporate leadership on communications aligned to Sustainable Growth. Including providing briefing, drafting and approving content and managing attendance of senior staff and politicians at events. Alongside this you will lead the proactive and reactive response to day to day communications working with a press office function.
About you
Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience, you can also evidence continuing professional development. You will have a good grasp of the external communications landscape
You will have had experience of devising and external communications strategies at all levels for large, complex organisations.
You will have significant experience of communicating to public and business audiences.
You will have experience of managing and negotiating with a variety of stakeholders, both internal and externally, both at a senior and technical level.
You will have the ability to understand complex language and proposals and communicate these in an accessible format to a broad range of audiences.
You will have experience working in a political environment and have an understanding of working with politicians and political organisations.
You will be adaptable, adept at working in a fast-moving environment that relies on real-time communications, welcome change and have a growth mindset.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about
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Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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