Communications Adviser

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Job Reference: HCC
623063

Salary Range: £48,948 - £54,423 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 23 January 2026

We’re seeking a highly skilled senior communications professional with proven, extensive experience to join our Communications service within one of the largest and highest performing County Councils in the country. You’ll bring your expertise and confidence to lead and advise on multi-channel communications strategies to promote and enhance the County Council’s reputation, with a specific focus on adult social care and Public Health.

Hampshire County Council has a strong reputation for delivering high-performing essential services to our 1.4 million residents and engaging efficiently and effectively with the people of Hampshire, our staff, partners and stakeholders, the news media and more.

As a Communications Advisor
, you’ll lead, advise on and deliver a range of comprehensive communications activities and strategies, to promote the County Council’s reputation and meet corporate, directorate and service objectives.

Using your outstanding written and digital communication skills, you'll be highly skilled in creating and implementing high-quality, engaging communications strategies and materials – which maximise the use of digital and social channels to positively engage a wide range of internal and external audiences and deliver excellent results.

You’ll have proven experience of proactively identifying communications priorities, and the ability to communicate them clearly and succinctly - evidencing their positive impact, every step of the way.

As a confident and strong self-starter, you'll demonstrate a positive, proactive approach, together with high levels of pragmatism and resilience.

With new and innovative ways of thinking, you’ll enjoy finding effective and creative solutions to complex communications challenges, while getting involved in the detail and demonstrating a real understanding of the issues involved.

A strong team player with proven relationship management skills, you’ll be comfortable operating at all levels of seniority including with Directors, heads of service, managers, Councillors, key stakeholders and partners.

You may be required to visit other locations within Hampshire [and the Isle of Wight or other local authority], and therefore need to have the ability to travel, as necessary.

In this role, you'll lead the planning and delivery of innovative, multi channel communications strategies that support corporate and service priorities. You’ll provide expert advice to senior leaders, manage resources effectively, and use insight and data to shape effective communications activity. Working collaboratively with partners, you'll help protect and enhance the Council’s reputation, manage media relations (including participation in the duty rota), and support major incident communications when required.

You'll also produce high quality reports and evaluations, champion the County Council’s corporate identity, and contribute to continuous improvement and professional development within the team.

• Qualified to either graduate or equivalent public relations, marketing or communications professional qualification
• Significant experience delivering successful communications outcomes in fast paced environments, ideally within public sector or local government
• Strong planning, organisational, written and verbal skills, with experience in creating clear, engaging communications strategies/plans/campaigns and adapting complex messages for varied audiences and channels
• Proven PR and media expertise, including crisis communications, managing sensitive issues and securing positive coverage
• Skilled in producing creative digital, video and social media content, and using analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, social insights) to inform strategy and demonstrate impact
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management abilities, with confidence operating at all levels, including with senior leaders, Councillors and partners
• Good political awareness; strong understanding of comms ethics, legal…