Job Vacancy - Communications Officer
Published: 16 June 2026
Job Title: Communications Officer
Responsible to: Deputy Chief Officer
Working Hours: Available to offer between 0.5 FTE and 1.0 FTE (1.0 FTE = 37 hours per week)
Salary Range: SCP 20
Location: Royston Town Council Offices
Contract Type: Fixed permanent
Qualified by experience. The Council welcomes candidates with substantial relevant experience in communications, media, public relations, digital content or marketing.
Essential Experience: Proven experience in communications, public relations, digital content or similar role. Experience of managing websites and social media channels and producing content for different audiences and platforms. Experience of drafting high-quality copy, including press releases, statements, web content and promotional materials. Experience of planning and delivering campaigns or communications activities to support projects, events or services. Experience of working with a range of stakeholders and building productive working relationships. Experience of monitoring performance and using insight or analytics to improve communications activity.
Job Summary: To lead and deliver external communications for Royston Town Council in relation to the Royston Venue, Royston Market, Royston Cave and the wider Council. The postholder will own the Council’s digital communications remit, including website, social media and press relations, to build the Council’s online presence, create positive sentiment and ensure that events, projects and Council activity are promoted clearly, accurately and effectively.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Lead on all external communications for Royston Town Council, with particular focus on the Royston Venue, Royston Cave, Royston Market and the Council’s wider activities, services and projects.
• Plan, create, schedule and publish engaging content across the Council’s digital channels, including the website, social media platforms, e-news content and other public-facing materials.
• Develop and maintain an external communications plan and content calendar in collaboration with the Deputy Chief Officer, aligned to Council priorities and agreed projects.
• Draft press releases, media statements, briefing notes and reactive responses for approval, and act as a point of contact for media enquiries in liaison with the Senior Management Team.
• Promote events, consultations, community activity and Council initiatives in a timely and professional way to maximise awareness, attendance and engagement.
• Support the promotion and public profile of the Royston Venue project, including campaign planning, launch communications, audience development and publicity activity as required.
• Support and promote communications relating to Royston Cave, including visitor information, campaigns, events, profile-raising activity and wider heritage-related messaging as required.
• Monitor media coverage, online conversations and public sentiment relating to the Council and its projects, identifying risks, opportunities and emerging issues and escalating them appropriately.
• Help shape positive narratives around the Council’s work by turning complex or technical information into clear, accessible and audience-focused communications.
• Work closely with officers, councillors, project leads, partners and suppliers to gather information, identify stories, secure approvals and ensure a coordinated and consistent external voice.
• Coordinate photography, video and other creative assets as required, maintaining an organised library of approved communications materials for future use.
• Use analytics and performance data to measure the reach and effectiveness of communications activity, preparing reports and recommendations for improvement.
• Ensure all communications are accurate, legally compliant, accessible and in line with Council policies, including data protection and website accessibility requirements.
• Attend Council, civic, community and project events when required, including occasional evenings and weekends, in order to gather content, support publicity and respond to communications needs.
• Provide out-of-hours media and communications support where necessary in relation to urgent issues, events or reputation management.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the level of the post as may reasonably be required to support the effective delivery of external communications for the Council.
Person Specification:
Essential – Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong proofreading and editing ability.
• Ability to explain complex information clearly and in plain English for public audiences.
• Strong digital skills, including use of website content management systems and major social media platforms.
• Ability to develop creative, audience-focused communications and promotional campaigns.
• Good understanding of media handling, reputation management and the importance of timely, accurate messaging.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to use evidence, insight and analytics to evaluate communications performance and improve future activity.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with other officers.
• Proactive, self-motivated and willing to take ownership of the Council’s external communications agenda.
• Community-focused, with a genuine interest in engaging residents and promoting local pride.
• Creative and resourceful, with a strong eye for opportunities to tell positive stories.
• Diplomatic and professional, with sound judgement when handling sensitive or reputational matters.
• Adaptable and resilient, able to respond calmly to changing priorities and urgent issues.
• Collaborative, approachable and able to build confidence with colleagues, councillors, partners and media contacts.
• Highly organised, with close attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
Desirable:
• Experience working in local government, the public sector, heritage, culture, events or a community-facing organisation.
• Experience of promoting venues, visitor attractions, events programmes or place-based projects.
• Familiarity with creative tools such as Canva, Adobe products, photography or short-form video content creation.
• Knowledge of Royston and the surrounding area, or the ability to develop this quickly.
Key Working Relationships:
• Deputy Chief Officer and Chief Officer
• Other Council officers
• Town Councillors and committee chairs as appropriate
• Project leads, venue-related contacts and heritage stakeholders
• Residents of Royston and surrounding towns
• Partner organisations, community groups and local businesses
• Local, regional and sector media contacts
• Suppliers, agencies and contractors involved in communications or marketing activity
Special Conditions:
• The postholder must have the right to work in the United Kingdom.
• This is an office-based role at Royston Town Council Offices.
• The role requires occasional travel on Council business.
• The role requires flexibility to attend meetings, events and communications activity outside normal office hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• The postholder may be required to support out-of-hours media response and urgent communications activity.
• The postholder will be expected to maintain confidentiality and comply with all relevant Council policies and procedures, including data protection requirements.
Note: This description is not intended to establish a total definition of the job, but an outline of the duties. Duties may be varied from time to time, in consultation with the postholder, without changing the general character of the post. References will be sought before successful applicants are appointed.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 30th June 2026.
To apply please email your cover letter and CV to enquiries@roystontowncouncil.gov.uk