Senior Consultation, Engagement and Communication Officer

Job Description

We're looking for a Senior Consultation, Engagement and Communication Officer to support our Highways Programme. Reporting to the Head of Communications, you will lead consultation, strategic communications and engagement activity that promotes key highways, transport and infrastructure projects, helping residents, businesses and local partners understand and engage with improvements across the borough. Working closely with senior managers, councillors, contractors and partners, you will deliver integrated campaigns, manage media relations, support public and statutory consultations and provide expert advice on high-profile projects. You'll also contribute to proactive and reactive press activity, including participation in the out-of-hours rota.

The role includes creating engaging content for digital, social media, resident and internal channels, ensuring communications are clear, consistent and accessible. We are looking for a proactive communicator who can translate technical information into compelling stories, manage reputational risks and support the Council's ambition to deliver high-quality infrastructure and services for Harrow's communities.

The successful candidate will have:-

• Proven ability to develop, deliver and evaluate integrated communications and engagement campaigns that achieve measurable outcomes.
• Experience providing trusted communications and engagement advice to senior managers, portfolio holders and elected members
• Experience working within a complex political environment and understanding public sector challenges.
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to create engaging content across media, digital, social and print channels.
• Experience planning and delivering multi-channel communications activity, selecting the most effective channels and approaches for different audiences.
• Experience planning, delivering and evaluating consultation and engagement activities, including engaging diverse communities and ensuring underrepresented voices are heard.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues, partners, elected members, residents and community groups.
• Ability to use research, data, consultation feedback and campaign insights to develop evidence-based recommendations and measure impact.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, deliver projects and meet deadlines.
• Experience handling media enquiries, sensitive issues and reputational risks with sound judgement, professionalism and confidentiality.

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/ Selection Criteria

About us

Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit with a range of cultures, religions and opinions that come together to produce high achieving schools and a close and friendly community. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.

Other information

Support for candidates visit:Harrow.gov.uk Our behavioural indicators roles below G11 and above G11 Here at Harrow Council, the vision is one of 'Working together to make a difference for Harrow' Please click here to view Harrow Council's benefits

Important Note

To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in service provision, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs at the London Borough of Harrow. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender, reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification applies. As such, we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.

As a disability-confident employer, we are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes reasonably adjusting the recruitment process for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further information, please contact us at [email removed]

London Borough of Harrow 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. Harrow operates stringent, safer recruitment procedures.

Due to the high number of applications received for some posts, we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Harrow redeployees will be given priority consideration.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, any your data protection rights, can be found by visiting www.cifas.org.uk/fpn