Can you manage multiple creative projects simultaneously while collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders?

Do you have exceptional influencing and partnership-building skills, enabling you to passionately collaborate in developing compelling communication strategies and impactful campaigns?

If the answer is yes, we want to hear from you!

We are seeking an experienced professional to join us as Communications and Engagement Lead, responsible for developing and implementing a multi‑channel communications strategy focused on driving impactful business and community engagement, as well as enhancing brand recognition for Connect to Work across West Sussex.

If you are eager to discover more about the Connect to Work programme and see how it can create life‑changing opportunities by unlocking the world of work for people across West Sussex and Brighton and Hove, visit our Connect to Work Careers Page.

Salary: £39,862 to £42,839 per annum, £32,320 to £34,734 (pro rata for part time)

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract until 31 March 2029

Working Pattern: Part‑time (30 hours per week)

Location: County Hall, West Street, Chichester PO19 1RQ with required countywide travel.

Interview Date: week commencing Monday 24 November 2025

Regular attendance at your base location will also be necessary. There will be opportunities for remote work, with final arrangements to be confirmed with the successful candidate.

You will need to be able to travel independently around the county, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes available.

About the Job

As a Communications and Engagement Lead, you will develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy across various channels, including both traditional and social media platforms.

Working on the delivery of the Connect to Work programme promises to offer a unique experience each day, filled with unexpected challenges and rewards! There are several key responsibilities that will be integral to this role, including:

• Creating engaging and impactful content for a variety of media and platforms, tailored to diverse audiences, while ensuring alignment with brand guidelines.
• Providing clear and efficient daily communication leadership and guidance within the West Sussex Connect to Work team.
• Collaborating with partners and networks within the local authority, skills, employability, and business engagement sectors to ensure impactful strategic outcomes.
• Managing multiple creative projects simultaneously while collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Ensuring that all communications efforts are thoroughly evaluated, utilising various methods to provide measurable data that track the effectiveness of each activity.

If you enjoy working in a dynamic environment and value being part of a collaborative team that supports colleagues to achieve improved outcomes for the residents of West Sussex, we want to hear from you!

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Relevant degree, alternative qualification or accreditation (such as CIPR Diploma in Communications, Marketing, Social Media, Public Relations), or relevant professional experience.
• Experience of leading a communications function, including knowledge of digital and traditional marketing platforms and an understanding of how different platforms can be used to communicate with different audiences.
• Creative and persuasive content development with strong written English skills, capable of editing and tailoring tone to suit various audiences.
• Highly organised, capable of planning, prioritising, scheduling, and managing multiple communication activities simultaneously, while maintaining composure and focus.
• Capable of working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders to develop and implement ideas, including colleagues and individuals with lived experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence in working with internal colleagues, employers, and community members to plan and co‑create engaging and newsworthy content.

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.

Rewards and Benefits

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work‑life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.

You will benefit from 27 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 5 years' service plus the opportunity to buy additional leave and an excellent local government pension scheme.

A range of discounts give our staff access to hundreds of offers; groceries, travel, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities, high street retailers and the opportunity to save over £1,000 a year through our West Sussex Choices benefits platform.

For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.

Further Information

The reference number for this role is EIE01470.

Does this sound like the opportunity for you? Click apply below, upload your CV, and complete the application form, explaining how you meet the key skills in the attached job description and experience you can bring to the role.

Please ensure all that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV.

Struggling to apply? Book onto a Digital Support Session in a library near you to get help navigating our application form (subject to availability).

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to right to work within the UK, enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references, and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.