Senior communications officer (adult social care transformation programme)

Can you use your creativity and communications experience to help improve adult social care in West Sussex?

Are you able to work independently and take full ownership of the communications needs across multiple projects simultaneously?

Do you bring a proactive with a strong “can‑do” attitude when delivering communications work?

We are looking for a Senior Communications Officer to join our Communications and Engagement Team and work closely with Adults’ Services to support a programme of work to improve social care support for adults who have a learning/physical disability, autism and/or mental health issue (Lifelong Services Programme).

Salary: £39,862 to £42,839 per annum, £23,917 to £25,703 (pro rata for part time)

Contract Type: Fixed term contract until 31 March 2028. Final start and end dates will be confirmed with the successful candidate.

Working Pattern: Part‑time (22.2 hours per week / 0.6 full‑time equivalent)

Location: Hybrid / County Hall, West Street, Chichester, PO19 1RQ

Regular attendance at your base location will also be necessary, and there will be opportunities for remote work. Final arrangements will be confirmed with the successful candidate.

About the Job

No two days in our Communications and Engagement team are the same. In this role, you will lead and coordinate engaging communication activities across the Lifelong Services Programme development work, translating complex information into clear, accessible messaging and delivering it through the most effective channels.

Responsibilities

• Leading the development and delivery of strategic communication campaigns and engagement activity across diverse channels, including media, digital, social media, and internal communications.
• Extensive relationship building across a variety of internal and external teams, partners and stakeholders, engaging in the delivery of consultation activities.
• Managing media enquiries about the work of the programme, helping to build and maintain reputation in the council and its services.
• Producing accurate and timely reports and presentations for a range of audiences, delivering information in a clear, concise, and compelling way that supports understanding and secures buy‑in for recommended solutions.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Degree, or equivalent qualification or experience, demonstrating a high level of applied knowledge in communications, ideally within a public sector environment.
• Advanced knowledge of communication platforms, processes, and policies, and an understanding of how these shape the design and delivery of successful campaigns. Experience creating engaging content across a range of formats.
• Strong professional communication skills, with the confidence and ability to provide clear advice, recommendations, and constructive feedback to colleagues and senior managers on effective communication approaches.
• Significant experience of designing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating engaging communication campaigns.
• Proven experience of working in partnership and building effective networks, with the ability to provide professional advice and recommendations on communications to senior stakeholders, peers, and partner organisations.
• Demonstrable experience and confidence in working with people, ideally including supervisory responsibility, with the ability to build credibility and influence at all levels of the organisation.
• Experience of handling and responding to media enquiries in a professional and timely manner.

Rewards and Benefits

A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 27 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 5 years’ service, and the opportunity to buy additional leave and an excellent local government pension scheme. A range of discounts give staff access to hundreds of offers; groceries, travel, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities, and high‑street retailers and the opportunity to save over £1,000 a year through the West Sussex Choices benefits platform.

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to right to work within the UK, satisfactory references, and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to give them the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.