Senior Communications & Media Officer

Job description

Senior Communications and Media Officer

Closing date: Sunday 1st November 2026

Interview date to be confirmed

Department: GMCA Communications & Engagement (News and Media team)

Location: GMCA

Hours Per Week: 36.25

Salary: £35,570 - £39,481

Help shape how Greater Manchester's story is told - across social media, news and beyond.

We're looking for a creative, politically aware and digitally confident communications professional to join our Communications and Engagement team.

Alongside traditional news and media, social media will be central to the role. You'll help communicate the work of the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Deputy Mayor, GMCA and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service in ways that are clear, timely and relevant to different audiences.

Working across news, media and social, you'll contribute to integrated communications on major announcements, events and emerging issues, helping to build understanding, encourage engagement and protect the reputation of Greater Manchester's organisations and leaders.

It's a varied, high-profile role in a fast-moving environment, offering the chance to work with senior stakeholders, colleagues and partners across Greater Manchester.

This is an exciting opportunity to use strong communications instincts and a passion for digital storytelling to make a visible difference to people and places across the city-region.
What you'll be doing

You'll help plan and deliver integrated communications that build understanding, encourage engagement and protect the reputation of Greater Manchester's organisations and leaders. In this role, you will:

Create timely, high-quality social media content across video, photography and written formats for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, GMCA and GMFRS.

Turn complex policies, announcements and sensitive issues into clear, accessible and compelling content.

Spot opportunities in the news agenda and develop strong social media hooks that reach and engage different audiences.

Film and edit content at events, major announcements and other key moments, producing high-quality work at pace.

Support proactive and responsive media activity with regional and national outlets.

Respond quickly and accurately to breaking news, emerging issues and misinformation.

Work with senior stakeholders, colleagues and partners across Greater Manchester to plan and deliver integrated communications.

Use audience insight, platform knowledge and media judgement to improve reach, engagement and impact.

You'll work with creativity, sound judgement and confidence in a high-profile, fast-paced and politically sensitive environment.
What you'll bring

Experience creating and producing engaging social media content across video, photography and written formats, including filming and editing at pace.

A strong understanding of social platforms, audience behaviour and emerging digital trends.

Excellent writing skills and the ability to make complex subjects clear and compelling.

Good news judgement and an understanding of how social and traditional media work together.

Confidence operating in a high-profile, fast-paced and politically sensitive environment.

Creativity, collaboration and a strong focus on impact.

If you can spot the story, find the right format and create content that gets Greater Manchester talking, we'd like to hear from you.
Why join us?

At GMCA, you'll help deliver our shared vision of a thriving city-region where everyone can live a good life.

You'll work on stories that matter-from major policy announcements and public information to the work taking place in communities across Greater Manchester. Your content will help millions of people understand the work of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, GMCA, GMFRS and our partners.

You'll also join a supportive and ambitious Communications and Engagement service that values creativity, innovation, wellbeing and professional development.

Ready to bring Greater Manchester's story to life? If you're an experienced content creator looking for a high-profile role where your work can make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.
About us

As an employer, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is made up of a number of key Greater Manchester strategic functions and service providers, including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS); Waste and Resources; Environment; Work and Skills; Research; Public Service Reform; Police, Crime and Criminal Justice; Homelessness; the Greater Manchester Ageing Hub; and the Commissioning Hub.

We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce that reflects our diverse communities across Greater Manchester. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, trans status and non-binary identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We have guidance in place to ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.

To find out more about working for us, please visit: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/
Mandatory information
Privacy notice

Employees on the redeployment register will be given priority for vacancies in the first instance. If employees are identified as a match from the register, the vacancy may be withdrawn or put on hold pending an outcome.

For this opportunity, you must be able to prove that you have the right to work in the UK. Please note that we are not a licensed sponsor.

This is a politically restricted post. Occasional evening and weekend working and travel may be required to meet operational needs.
Hybrid working

This role is part of GMCA's hybrid working scheme. Our flexible approach combines attendance at our Manchester city-centre office with remote working, typically from home.

The location of work is primarily dictated by the needs of the business: do what is right for you and the business on that day. If appointed, you will work with your manager to agree and regularly review the best working pattern for you, your team and your work.