Senior Communications Officer

Derbyshire County Council islooking to recruit a Senior Communications Officer to support our Families First Partnership Programme. This is a 12-month fixed-term hybrid role.

The Families First programme aims to improve how families are supported to enable children to remain safely within their own families and communities, and to ensure children are protected from harm both inside and outside the home. As the communications lead, you will help to ensure we deliver impactful messaging to families and stakeholders.

To be successful in this role you will:

· Develop a communications plan for the Families First Partnership Programme to ensure the right messages get to the right audiences at the right time

· Map relevant stakeholders to identify target audiences and potential partners

· Engage, consult and negotiate with relevant stakeholders, utilising skills of persuasion where necessary, to agree a unified communications approach across all partners

· Develop a detailed understanding of the most effective channels and tactics to present accurate, detailed and complex information, tailored to the needs of different audiences

· Draft copy for press releases, websites, social media and newsletters

· Liaise with senior stakeholders to draft responses to media enquiries relating to the Families First Partnership Programme

· Develop other communications to support family support and advice services such as Family Hubs

Interview Date: Week Commencing: 15thDecember 2025

Ready to apply?

Please read the job and person profiles to help you complete your application. Please detail how you meet the skills and experience. We are looking for in a one-page supporting statement, which should accompany your CV.

We believe that hard work and commitment should be rewarded, and we offer:

• Generous Annual Leave Scheme: Ensuring a healthy work-life balance.
• Flexi Time Scheme: Up to two days flexi leave every four weeks (pro rata for part-time employees), subject to service needs.
• Local Government Pension Scheme: Providing financial security.
• Wellbeing Support Framework: Includes OH physician services, fast track physiotherapy and confidential psychological support services.
• Training and Development: Opportunities for professional qualifications and ongoing training.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Promoting a healthy lifestyle.
• Electric/Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme: Encouraging environmentally friendly commuting options.
• Our Derbyshire Rewards: a package of benefits and discounts.
• & much more

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

CST1

This role currently offers hybrid working options which will be to subject service needs, there'll be an opportunity to discuss working arrangements for this position at interview.

Important: Derbyshire County Council holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Please apply only if you already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, as applications that do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.