This is a communications-led role at the heart of a local UK parish council, focused on shaping how the council engages with and informs its community.
This role is suited to candidates with prior communications experience and is not an entry-level administrative position.
As Communications Officer, you will take ownership of the council’s day-to-day communications activity - from digital channels and newsletters to public consultations and community messaging. You will play a key role in ensuring information is clear, accessible, and aligned with local government standards.
Alongside this, you will contribute to the smooth running of a small parish office, supporting essential administrative tasks that enable the team to operate effectively. In a close-knit, interdependent team, this shared responsibility ensures communications remain connected to real community needs and enquiries.
This role is suited to an experienced communications professional who is confident working independently, enjoys variety, and is comfortable balancing strategic communication work with hands‑on delivery in a small team environment. It would particularly suit someone looking for a flexible, part‑time role (fixed‑term of 1 year initially) where they can take ownership of communications while contributing to a broader, community‑focused remit.
What you’ll do
* Lead and manage the council’s website and social media channels, ensuring all content is accurate, engaging, and compliant.
* Plan, write, and deliver regular community newsletters, coordinating contributions and advertising.
* Monitor digital engagement and analytics, providing insights to improve communication effectiveness.
* Support and run public consultations, helping gather and communicate community feedback on local initiatives.
* Act as a key point of contact for residents, ensuring enquiries are handled professionally and consistently.
* Promote council projects and initiatives to strengthen community awareness and participation.
* Maintain parish noticeboards and ensure all public‑facing information is current and relevant.
* Represent the council at meetings and community events, providing cover for colleagues where required.
Provide administrative support where needed, including:
* Coordinating community hall bookings and responding to related enquiries
* Supporting basic finance administration alongside the Finance Officer
* Supporting GDPR‑compliant record keeping and document retention
Your first 90 days
In your first month, you will familiarise yourself with the parish, its stakeholders, and internal processes, while beginning to take ownership of the council’s communication channels, including the website and social media, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and tone. You will also meet with the Communications Working Party to understand the planned communications strategy.
By day 60, you will be shaping the development of the parish newsletter, planning its content, structure, and coordination. You will also begin using analytics to refine messaging and identify opportunities to improve how information is presented across channels.
By the end of your third month, you will be confidently leading the production of the parish newsletter, while operating with autonomy across all communications activity. You will be managing public consultations, responding to more complex community queries, and identifying opportunities to enhance communication processes and efficiency.
Essential skills & experience
* Minimum 3+ years’ experience in a communications, PR, or content‑focused role
* Strong copywriting skills across digital and print channels, including newsletters and websites
* Experience managing website content and social media platforms with a focus on content quality and engagement
* Ability to plan and deliver communication activity across multiple channels
* Confident working independently and taking ownership of communications output
* Experience working in a small, collaborative or interdependent team environment
* Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with the public
* Ability to handle sensitive enquiries or complaints with tact, diplomacy, and professionalism
* Experience using tools such as Canva, Adobe, or similar for visual content creation
* Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage a varied workload
* Comfortable supporting administrative processes as part of a broader role
* Comfortable working within structured processes and compliance requirements in a local government environment
* Experience working within local government, parish councils, or public sector organisations
* Background in digital marketing, community engagement, or stakeholder communications
* Photography or video content creation to support storytelling and engagement
* Formal qualification in Communications, Public Relations, or a related field
Applicants must be based in the UK, have the right to work, and be able to travel to the office near High Wycombe.
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