SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER

Deliver high‑quality, engaging social media content that supports the Combined Authority’s priorities and prepares the organisation for the arrival of its first Mayor in 2027.
 
Support the Digital Content Manager in implementing the CA’s digital content strategy and delivery plan, ensuring social content is accessible, inclusive, insight‑driven and aligned with the wider communications and news agenda.
 
Work confidently with colleagues across councils and partner organisations to ensure coordinated messaging and effective digital engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES; the Social Media Officer will…

• Social channel delivery: create, schedule and publish content across all CA social media channels, ensuring accuracy, accessibility and brand consistency.
• Content creation: produce high‑quality posts, graphics, short‑form video, animations and stories tailored to different platforms and audiences.
• Audience engagement: monitor comments, messages and interactions; respond appropriately and escalate issues when needed.
• Cross‑organisation coordination: work with communications teams in constituent councils and partner organisations to ensure aligned messaging and coordinated digital activity.
• Support statutory consultations: deliver clear, accessible social content that helps residents understand and engage with statutory consultations.
• Insight‑driven optimisation: use analytics tools to track performance, identify trends and recommend improvements.
• Campaign support: assist with digital campaigns, including paid social, ensuring content is targeted and effective.
• Rapid response: support the Digital Content Manager and Head of News during breaking stories, incidents or reputational issues with timely social content.
• Inclusive communication: ensure all social content is accessible, representative and tailored to different audiences and communities across the region.
• Forward planning: contribute to the digital content plan and maintain an organised schedule of upcoming posts and activity.
• Brand and tone consistency: ensure all posts reflect the CA’s tone of voice, values and visual identity.
• Political neutrality: ensure all content complies with statutory restrictions, including pre‑election rules. (Please confirm details with trusted official sources.)

REQUIREMENTS the Social Media Officer will have…

Essential

• Experience delivering social media content in a professional, public‑facing organisation.
• Strong understanding of platforms, trends, algorithms and audience behaviour.
• Ability to produce clear, engaging content tailored to different audiences and communities.
• Experience supporting statutory consultations or public engagement activity.
• Confident working with colleagues across multiple organisations, including councils and partner bodies.
• Skilled in creating graphics, short‑form video and multimedia content.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Pragmatic, active, and self‑starting approach to workload.
• Ability to work at pace and respond quickly to emerging issues.
• Commitment to inclusive, accessible communication.
• Experience using analytics tools (Meta Business Suite, Hootsuite, Sprout, etc.) to inform content decisions.
• Ability to work in a politically restricted environment with sound judgement.

Desirable

• Experience in local government, devolution or mayoral environments.
• Experience supporting digital campaigns, including paid social.
• Basic understanding of behavioural insights and audience segmentation.
• Experience with web content management systems or simple web updates.

 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The Combined Authority operates a flexible working policy. Regular presence in the region will be important to build relationships.
• Attendance at monthly in-person Management Board meetings may be required.
• Attendance at bi-monthly Board Meetings is required.
• The nature of the work may involve the post-holder carrying out work outside normal working hours.
• This is not a complete statement of all duties and responsibilities of this post. The postholder may be required to carry out other duties as directed, and which are commensurate with the level of the post. This document will also be supplemented by annual key objectives which will be set through the performance review process.