Senior Communications Officer - Digital Marketing

We’re looking for a senior communications professional with significant digital marketing expertise to lead the planning, delivery and continuous improvement of our digital communications and marketing activity.

This is a high‑impact role for someone who brings real specialism, provides sound judgement and confident oversight across a wide range of digital channels, including social media, email marketing, coordinating with our website team while actively supporting and upskilling others to deliver high‑quality, audience‑focused digital campaigns.

This role is ideal for an experienced communications professional who understands how social channels drive engagement, behaviour change and reputation and who can combine strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery.

You’ll play a lead role in:

Managing and developing our presence on our corporate social media channels and a range of digital media marketing tools across multiple platforms

Leading, guiding and curating high‑quality social content (copy, imagery, video and audio), from insight and concept through to delivery and evaluation

Providing editorial oversight, professional advice and constructive challenge to ensure digital content meets strategic objectives

 Planning and delivering paid-for advertising campaigns across digital platforms

Using social media management and analytics tools to schedule activity, monitor and improve performance, manage risk and optimise content

Setting the direction for social media activity within integrated campaigns, ensuring content is audience‑led, timely and effective

Measuring, analysing and reporting on digital performance, using data and insight to refine campaigns, improve audience engagement and support informed recommendations

Alongside digital leadership, you’ll deliver high‑impact communications and marketing messages across media, digital, marketing and engagement channels, advise senior stakeholders, mentor colleagues to ensure continuous improvement.

 We’re looking for someone who:

Has proven, demonstrable experience in leading and delivering successful digital‑led, multi‑channel communications and marketing campaigns

Brings solid expertise in all aspects of digital media management, email marketing and performance analytics

Is familiar with social media platform back-end systems e.g. Facebook Ad Manager, Google Analytics, YouTube Studio etc.

Is confident using dashboards, monitoring tools and performance metrics to drive improvement

Can oversee multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, high‑profile environment

Combines strategic thinking with practical, hands‑on delivery

Is motivated, collaborative and committed to continuous improvement

Can juggle competing priorities in a fast‑paced, high‑profile environment

Brings excellent writing, judgement and influencing skills

Is motivated, proactive and values‑driven

 Has experience of working in local government procurement systems (not essential)

 As a senior communications specialist and trusted adviser, you’ll also:

Bring real expertise and specialism in digital communications and marketing, providing constructive challenge and best‑practice guidance

Oversee standards, governance and consistency across digital channels and campaigns

Ensure corporate branding rules are upheld throughout all digital communications, as well as keeping to our consistent tone of voice and written style

Support, mentor and upskill colleagues, building confidence and capability across the wider team

Advise senior managers and councillors with sound judgement, political awareness and evidence‑based recommendations

In return, you’ll work on meaningful, visible campaigns that make a real difference, with the opportunity to shape how we engage with residents, partners and stakeholders every day.

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

• provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.