Job Introduction
Salary: £29,777 to £31,364 per year (Grade 7)
Contract: Full-time position
Hours: 37 hours per week,hybrid and flexible working
Location: YPO Headquarters, 41 Industrial Park, Wakefield WF2 0XE
Benefits: 27 days' holiday, plus bank holidays, plus 3 discretionary closedown days and Local Government Pension Scheme
Are you looking for a new opportunity where you can make a meaningful impact, be creative, and drive positive brand identity within an established and well-known public sector organisation?
YPO has an exciting full-time position available for a PR and External Communications Officer to join our marketing and communications team.
About us
Do you aspire to work in a welcoming, innovative, forward-thinking, inclusive and supportive organisation where you can learn and develop? YPO might be the perfect fit for you
With 50 years of experience, YPO has been dedicated to supporting the public sector. Our journey began five decades ago when 13 local authorities united to streamline their purchasing needs and enhance efficiency, forming the organisation we know today.
As a 100% publicly owned entity by our 13 member authorities, we ensure that our profits are reinvested into our public sector customers, offering even greater value for money. Discover more about our company and culture at Start a career at YPO | YPO.
YPO is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. Our aim is that our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society and each employee feels respected and able to give their best.
If this position is advertised as a full-time role (37 hours per week), YPO is pleased to consider requests for flexible working arrangements, including part-time hours and job-sharing opportunities. We are committed to supporting work-life balance and encourage candidates to discuss their preferred working patterns with us.
About the role
We're seeking someone with experience in internal communications, PR, and public affairs who is eager to develop further their skills gained from a similar role, whether in an agency or in-house PR team, to join our inclusive and passionate team.
Showcasing exceptional interpersonal skills, coupled with your proficiency in written and verbal communication, as well as your meticulous attention to detail, will pave the path for success.
As a motivated PR and communications professional focused on results, your enthusiasm and dedication will positively impact our team's achievements. You'll play a vital role in creating and executing key PR strategies, overseeing public affairs and internal communications, and staying informed about current events and relevant news topics affecting the public sector in and around our local community.
You will be confident in your ability to deal with sensitive issues and act quickly to resolve them. Your keen eye for detail and ability to craft flawless written content and copy for different demographics through different media will be essential in providing clear communication to our broad and large audiences.
The successful candidate must have:
* A degree-level qualification, or significant relevant experience in a similar role.
* Experience and knowledge of best practice in PR and communications, internal and external
* An understanding of engagement/events/networking/conferences
* Excellent organisation, planning and attention to detail
* Demonstrable ability to build positive stakeholder relationships, including media relations
What's in it for you?
We are proud to offer a fantastic range of benefits, including:
* Generous annual leave, from 24 days a year, plus 8 days statutory bank holidays and three discretionary closedown days at Christmas
* Local Government Pension through West Yorkshire Pension Fund
* A comprehensive health and wellbeing package
* Flexi scheme and flexible working options available (please discuss your preferred working requirements with the manager at interview)
* Family-friendly policies
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Subsidised canteen
* Free parking available
* There is also a pay award pending, subject to national negotiations
To have a confidential and informal discussion about this role or any additional support, please get in touch with Rhian Binns at or Liz Cowie at
Interviews are planned to take place week commencing 29th September 2025 in person at our office in Wakefield.