Communications & Engagement Officer – Neighbourhoods Programme (Marketing)
Location: New Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL
Rate: £190.11 PAYE / £250.00 Umbrella (per day)
Hours: 37 per week
Start: 18 May 2026
Duration: 12 weeks
Overview
Thurrock Council is seeking a Communications & Engagement Officer to support the Neighbourhoods Programme, working across communities to strengthen participation, build relationships, and deliver high‑quality engagement activity. This role blends community development, communications, and project support, ensuring residents have meaningful opportunities to shape local priorities and neighbourhood improvements.
Key Responsibilities
* Support the development and delivery of resident communications and engagement plans for Neighbourhood Programme projects.
* Build strong relationships with residents, community groups, voluntary sector partners and local stakeholders.
* Create clear, accessible content for web, social media, newsletters, campaigns and printed materials.
* Coordinate consultations, surveys and engagement events, ensuring community insight informs decision‑making.
* Establish and support regular engagement forums (e.g., Steering Groups).
* Lead planning and logistics for community events, outreach sessions and stakeholder meetings.
* Ensure engagement activity is inclusive, accessible and reflective of Thurrock’s diverse communities.
* Take a strengths‑based, community‑led approach to neighbourhood work.
* Design internal engagement plans to support culture change and collaborative working across services.
* Work with internal teams to progress neighbourhood initiatives and shared priorities.
* Support joint working between council services and voluntary, community and faith sector organisations.
* Gather and analyse qualitative and quantitative data from engagement activity.
* Produce reports, insights and recommendations to inform service decisions.
* Monitor and evaluate communications activity to measure reach and impact.
* Contribute to continuous improvement and share best practice across the council.
* Support the council’s warning and informing responsibilities when required.
About You
* Experience in community engagement, communications, neighbourhood development or similar roles.
* Strong relationship‑building skills with diverse communities and stakeholders.
* Confident producing accessible, engaging content across multiple channels.
* Skilled in organising events, consultations and outreach activity.
* Ability to analyse community insight and present clear findings.
* Inclusive, adaptable and comfortable working in community settings.
* Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
* Understanding of local government, community development or partnership working.
Additional Requirements
* Flexibility to work in community locations as needed (outreach‑based role).
* Commitment to equality, inclusion and collaborative working.
* Compliance with data protection, health & safety and council policies.
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