Senior Communications Officer

Tell our story. Protect our reputation. Make a difference.

Some roles write about what an organisation does. This role helps ensure people understand the services we provide, the decisions we make and the difference we deliver to our communities.

We're looking for an experienced communications professional to join our Communications team.

This is a varied and rewarding role leading media relations, delivering communications and marketing campaigns, managing internal communications channels and providing trusted advice on sensitive and high-profile issues.

Working closely with senior officers, elected members and colleagues across the organisation, you'll help ensure our communications are clear, accurate and effective.

You'll also play a key role in emergency communications planning, support the delivery of the Council's Community Lottery and deputise for the Communications Manager when required.

What you'll be doing

One day you could be managing a sensitive media enquiry or advising senior officers on a high-profile issue. The next, you'll be launching a campaign, creating compelling content, coordinating the Council’s communications response during a major incident or helping colleagues understand important organisational changes. You'll also play a key leadership role within a small, talented and supportive team.

You'll:

• Lead the Council's media relations and public relations activity.
• Deliver creative communications and marketing campaigns across multiple channels.
• Provide expert advice on complex, sensitive and reputation-impacting issues.
• Create engaging content for media, digital, social and internal channels.
• Coordinate communications during emergencies and major incidents.
• Manage day-to-day internal communications channels, including the intranet and all staff communications.
• Manage and promote the Council’s lottery, attracting new good causes and increasing participation.
• Support and develop members of the Communications team.

About you

We're looking for someone who combines creativity with sound judgement.

You'll be an experienced communications professional with a strong background in media relations, campaign delivery and reputation management. You'll have exceptional writing skills, excellent political awareness and the confidence to advise senior leaders and elected members.

Most importantly, you'll be:

• An excellent communicator who can explain complex information clearly and effectively.
• Calm under pressure and comfortable handling sensitive issues.
• Organised, adaptable and able to manage competing priorities.
• A collaborative leader who motivates and supports others.
• Passionate about delivering communications that make a genuine impact.

Experience in local government, public sector communications, crisis communications or organisational change communications would be advantageous.

Why join us?

Our Communications team is small but ambitious. We work on everything from media relations and corporate campaigns to social media, internal communications, emergency response communications and reputation management. Team members enjoy the variety of the work and the supportive culture that comes with it.

What we offer

• An attractive salary within a clear pay structure: salary starting at £39,148, rising to £40,178 after one year and £41,208 after two years (subject to manager’s approval).
• 26 days annual leave, increasing to 29 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays and three additional days in December.
• Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions.
• Hybrid working, with 1-2 days working from home following probation.
• Access to HAPI benefits, wellbeing support and employee discounts.
• Ongoing professional development and learning opportunities.
• Free staff parking.
• To learn more about working at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, explore the kind of place we are, work that matters with people who care, and our pay, benefits, and hybrid working.

Ready to make an impact?

If you're an experienced communications professional looking for a role where your ideas, judgement and creativity can genuinely make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Lizzie Goodwin, Communications Manager, email: [email removed], telephone: [phone removed]

Interviews: 3 and 4 September 2026

This is a politically restricted post.

Equal Opportunities

Tunbridge Wells – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.