Communications and Marketing Manager – Place

About the job

Salary: £45,718 - £48,710 a year plus £3,203 car benefit allowance
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Permanent

We’re looking for an experienced and creative Communications and Marketing Manager to lead on the promotion of our borough and key council services within the “Place” portfolio. This exciting role sits at the heart of our dynamic Communications and Marketing Team, responsible for managing a diverse portfolio and leading high-profile campaigns that make a real impact on local communities.

You will drive forward a strategic and creative programme of work that showcases our inclusive growth ambitions, from neighbourhood development and skills to sustainability, arts, and culture. With a strong emphasis on delivering well-planned, multi-channel campaigns, you will lead project teams across marketing, digital, design, and media disciplines to influence public perceptions, drive behaviour change, and support council priorities.

Acting as a senior point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including partner organisations, you’ll play a key role in shaping the council’s narrative and ensuring consistent, effective communication across all platforms. You’ll also support the Head of Communications and Marketing to identify service priorities, deliver business-critical projects, and provide expert insight and advice to senior leaders and elected members.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

About you

You’ll bring a wealth of experience in delivering innovative and effective communications and marketing strategies that align with broader service goals. You’re confident leading end-to-end campaigns, managing multiple priorities, and using your in-depth knowledge of place marketing to influence audiences and drive results.

Your ability to lead and inspire project teams is matched by your hands-on approach to campaign delivery. You’ll be highly skilled in client and stakeholder management, using strong interpersonal and negotiation skills to secure buy-in and guide collaborative projects to success. You are comfortable working under pressure, managing competing demands, and ensuring high standards at every stage.

An excellent communicator, you’ll be able to present complex information clearly and compellingly to a range of audiences. You’ll be adept at using data and insight to shape and evaluate your work, ensuring communications are evidence-led and outcomes-focused. With a solid understanding of equalities and inclusive practice, you’ll embed these values in everything you do.

You’ll have a degree or professional qualification in marketing or communications (or equivalent experience), with a strong grasp of the legal and practical frameworks that underpin communications and marketing in the public sector.

About us

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough

Application Process

On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.

Benefits

We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:

- From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
- Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
- Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
- Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
- Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
- Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
- Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
- Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
- Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
- Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel

How to apply

We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!

Our ‘How to apply' page has more tips to help with your application: How to apply

Available documents

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

• download: Luton_Values_Flyer (1).pdf
• download: Communications and Marketing Account Manager - Place JD.pdf