Communications and Engagement Officer (CDC)

Based at: Civic Office, Doncaster

Salary details: Grade 9, £42,123 - £46,579 per annum

Contract type: Temporary Fixed Term, Full time

Hours: 37 hours per week (with occasional evening and weekend working as required)

Closing date: 22nd November 2026

The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation which puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. You have an opportunity to be part of this in the role of Communications and Engagement Officer.

Make a Difference Through Communication

We're looking for an experienced and creative communications professional to join our Communications Team as a Communications and Engagement Officer.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and deliver impactful communications that support key council priorities and improve outcomes for Doncaster residents. Working closely with senior leaders, service teams and partners, you'll lead the development and delivery of integrated communications campaigns that inform, engage and inspire a wide range of audiences.

If you're a strategic thinker with excellent communication skills, media experience and a passion for public service, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As a Communications and Engagement Officer, you will work within a busy and dynamic communications team under the direction of a Communications Business Partner. You will lead the planning, development and delivery of proactive communications and engagement activity for nominated directorates, ensuring communications support organisational priorities and service objectives.

You'll work across a broad range of communications disciplines, including media relations, internal communications, marketing, digital communications, social media and stakeholder engagement, helping to protect and enhance the council's reputation while delivering measurable results.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver integrated communications campaigns that support service priorities and organisational objectives.
• Work closely with Communications Business Partners and directorate leadership teams to provide professional communications advice and support.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, partners and communications colleagues to ensure coordinated and consistent messaging.
• Create and deliver communications activity across a variety of channels, including digital, social media, marketing, public relations and internal communications.
• Lead on the production of engaging content tailored to different audiences and communication objectives.
• Manage proactive and reactive media relations, including responding to press enquiries and handling sensitive issues in line with council protocols.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on campaign performance, using insights and data to continually improve communications activity.
• Represent the Communications Service at meetings and project groups, providing expert communications guidance.
• Champion collaborative working across the council to ensure communications opportunities are identified and maximised.
• Contribute to the continuous development of best practice within the wider communications team.

About You

You'll be a confident communications professional with experience of delivering successful campaigns in a large or complex organisation. You'll be comfortable working with senior stakeholders, managing competing priorities and providing expert communications advice.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in a communications-related discipline, or an equivalent higher/further qualification supported by significant relevant experience.
• Significant experience working in a communications role within a large or complex organisation.
• Experience of managing both proactive and reactive media relations.
• Proven experience across multiple communications disciplines, including:
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Design
• Digital and Social Media
• Experience building and managing effective professional relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and services.
• Strong understanding of how to develop communication briefs into effective campaigns that deliver measurable results.
• Ability to create engaging content and campaigns across digital and social media platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt messages for different audiences.
• Understanding of behavioural science approaches and how communications can support positive behaviour change.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working within a public sector organisation.
• Understanding of the challenges facing Doncaster residents and communities.
• Experience of developing creative communications solutions that support organisational and community outcomes.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support events, campaigns and media opportunities.
• Willingness to participate in an out-of-hours communications emergency response rota.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to use your communications expertise to make a real difference to local communities. You'll work with passionate colleagues, influence important conversations and help deliver communications that support positive change across Doncaster.

We value a range of experiences and skills. If you have transferable skills from other roles or voluntary work, we encourage you to apply.

In return for your contribution, we offer:

• Competitive leave entitlement
• Generous local government pension scheme
• Wellbeing support and staff networks
• Development and training opportunities
• Staff discounts and benefits schemes
• More information on benefits can be found in the attached benefits booklet.

Please review the job summary and profile and demonstrate in your application how you meet the required criteria.

Apply today and help us connect, engage and inform our residents, partners and stakeholders.

Shortlisting will take place week commencing 23rd November 2026 and interviews are anticipated on 1st and 2nd December 2026.

For further details or an informal chat, please contact: Rachel Carney or Daniel Debenham, Email: communications@doncaster.gov.uk

We encourage applicants to use their own words to reflect their experience and skills and over-reliance on AI is discouraged.

The Advance Employment Team offers personalised support to help you take your next step into work. From building your CV and getting the right interview skills to accessing a wide range of free courses, the team will help you grow your skills and confidence and find a job you’ll enjoy. Get in touch by email (advanceemploymenthub@doncaster.gov.uk) or visit the Advance website (www.advancedoncaster.co.uk) to discover the support available.

City of Doncaster Council is committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and improving quality of life for all. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults.

We are a Disability Confident employer and committed to a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria and make reasonable adjustments as required.