New Local (previously New Local Government Network) is an independent think tank and network with a mission to transform public services and unlock community power.

We are unique in being a research organisation, a practical consultancy and home to a thriving network of 70+ councils and other organisations.

At the heart of our work is ‘community power’ – the belief that people should be given the means to transform the places they live and the services they use. We believe this is key to creating stronger public services, and to creating a better society for all.

The Role

Over the last two years, we’ve changed our name, renewed our brand and launched a new website. At the same time, we’ve seen our community power message take a greater hold, and our network grow in size and enthusiasm.

We’re seeking a Senior Communications Officer who can help us further increase the impact of our work. They will play a key role in supporting the Director of Communications to deliver the New Local communications strategy as our work grows.

Your job will include:

• Digital management:  Day-to-day content planning and website upkeep, taking a leading role in our website’s success.
• Social media:  Running New Local’s channels to increase engagement and reach influential stakeholders.
• External marketing: Promoting our membership and consultancy offer in creative and engaging ways, to both new and existing connections.
• Content:  Producing, planning and editing content – from blogs and reports to videos and podcasts.
• Planning: Working cross-team to coordinate our communications and make sure our messages are heard by the right people at the right time.
• Media relations: Taking a proactive and reactive approach to promoting New Local’s work and interests with national, regional and specialist press.
• Brand management: Acting as a ‘brand ambassador’ for New Local- ensuring that our messaging is understood and conveyed by all staff, and helping to develop and disseminate our brand identity
• And more:
  • Supporting the planning and delivery of events
  • Working closely with researchers on research outputs
  • Planning, drafting and sending newsletters via CRM system

And taking on other tasks to support the communications strategy and our work as a whole.

The Candidate

Our ideal candidate will be:

• A great communicator, who can distil complex ideas and bring people together around a cause – verbally, visually and in writing.

• A creative thinker, who has an eye for design and can bring fresh approaches to any challenge.
• Digitally savvy, with experience creating high levels of engagement online and through social media.
• A keen planner, whose strategic understanding and attention-to-detail is proven to keep projects timely and impactful.
• A warm connector, with experience of building strong, supportive relationships inside and outside teams, ideally with press and local/national government.
• Someone with quick judgement, who flourishes in an environment of autonomous working and speedy decision making, and can be trusted to make the right calls.
• Driven by achieving change, both in terms of improving our own work and achieving New Local’s broader political and societal goals.
• Flexible and collaborative, generous in offering expertise and keen to work adaptably and openly with other members of New Local’s staff.

The Organisation

New Local was founded in 1996 as New Local Government Network. Today, we’re a close team of around 15. The Senior Communications Officer role will report to the Director of Communications, and work alongside the Design Production Coordinator. They will work closely with all other members of staff, including the Research Team, Network and Events Team and Practice Team.

In addition to the advertised salary, we offer:

• A minimum of 27 days’ holiday a year and ten days holiday over Christmas/New Year
• Highly flexible working and work location arrangements
• Regular training opportunities
• A number of other benefits listed in the job description.

Wellbeing: New Local is very strongly committed to staff wellbeing. Working long and late hours is actively discouraged and all staff at New Local are committed to creating a pleasant, friendly and supportive environment in which to work.

Diversity: New Local is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We don’t just ‘value diversity’, we think it is central to what makes for a high impact, successful organisation. We positively encourage everyone to apply. In order to monitor equal opportunities, we ask that the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form below is completed (this is entirely at the applicant’s discretion).  The collecting of this data is part of our diversity strategy, to understand how we can improve equal opportunities for external applicants to New Local.  All information gathered for equal opportunities monitoring is anonymous and then destroyed after 6 months, after which only aggregate data will be held.  Information collected for monitoring purposes will be treated as confidential and will not be used for any other purpose.

To Apply

Download full description.

To find out more about our current team, go here.

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• Download our equal opportunities form