Hourly rate: £30-£32 per hour Umbrella. Flexibility for strong candidate.
Length of role: Initial 12 months.
We are seeking a Highways Communications Officer to develop and deliver effective communication plans for our resurfacing programmes. This role involves close coordination with the Planned Maintenance team and requires a proactive approach to stakeholder engagement and content creation.
Day-to-day of the role:
Develop and implement communication plans for various highway resurfacing projects.
Coordinate closely with the Planned Maintenance team, including the Team Leader, Engineers, Clerk of Works, Permit Officer, Contractors, and the Asset Team.
Gather and update information on programmes, phasing and sequencing, material/product selection, and potential risks and delays.
Engage with key stakeholders such as local councillors, MPs, TfGM Bus Team, emergency services, businesses, schools, and public transport operators.
Provide advance briefings to stakeholders to prepare them for upcoming projects and respond to enquiries.
Attend meetings and briefings with the highways delivery team to ensure consistent communication.
Create clear, accessible content for the council website, social media posts, press releases, and resident communications such as letters and leaflets.
Act as a communication link between the public and the highways team, responding to social media comments, messages, and phone enquiries.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
Experience in highways-related communications.
Proven ability to manage public "drop-in" events and community engagement sessions.
Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle.
Willingness to visit various sites and, where required, hand-deliver information leaflets.
Ability to multitask, plan workload, and manage conflicting priorities in a high-pressure environment.
Politically astute with excellent attention to detail.
Highly organised, adaptable, and able to think on their feet.
Skilled in stakeholder management and effective communication across various parties.
Ability to escalate issues promptly and manage complex complaints effectively.