About Barnet Council
Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centres, vast green spaces, and diverse communities all help make it a wonderful place to live and work. As a council we want to build on these strengths as we move into the future. We are growing and developing as an organisation to meet the challenges facing our borough and we are committed to working with partner organisations and residents to make Barnet even better. As an organisation, our staff are committed to Our Values: Caring, Learning to Improve, Inclusive, Collaborate.
About Directorate
The Strategy, Communications & engagement team works across the whole council and external partners to support the delivery of council priorities, especially through the development and implementation of the corporate plan - the Barnet Plan 2021 – 2025.
About the role
The Media & Social Media Officer will assist in promoting and managing the council’s reputation and ‘Caring council’ brand narrative among stakeholders including local communities, the media and national opinion formers. Working to the Media Manager’s plan, the Officer will handle proactive media relations and reactive media enquiries and have day-to-day responsibility for the corporate social media channels including creating engaging multi-media content and community moderation. The Officer will also assist with activity to raise the profile of the council and its administration outside of the borough. This post is politically restricted.
About you
Strong understanding of local and national press and broadcast media, with demonstrable experience of handling sensitive reputational issues with influential journalists; press release writing; proactively pitching stories to local/London/national media; crisis communications handling.
Working with social media platforms (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube), creating multi-media social media content and scheduling/posting/monitoring; managing paid-for/promoted content.
Knowledge of communications and the law as it relates to local government including election law and the recommended code of practice for local authority publicity.
What we offer
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31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
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Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents
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Work-life balance options may include hybrid working, flexitime, job share, home working, part-time
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A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more
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Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel and gym membership
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Excellent training and development opportunities
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Employee well- being training programs including confidential employee assistance
How to apply
Read the job description and person specification before clicking ‘Apply’ to commence the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact Tristan Garrick - Strat Comms&Campaign Manager - tristan.garrick@barnet.gov.uk.
Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures.
To deliver Barnet Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.
Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working (including part-time, compressed hours, and remote working) and is committed to offering employees a healthy work-life balance. Candidates are encouraged to talk about relevant requirements and preferences at interview. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.
Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply
All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.
Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.
Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.