Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC622377
Salary Range: £56,285 - £63,080 per annum
Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 12 October 2025
Are you a strategic thinker with a journalistic instinct and a passion for engaging digital communications and social media content? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, politically aware environment where creativity, leadership, and innovation are key? Hampshire County Council is seeking a dynamic Social Media and Design Lead to join our Communications team within Public Affairs.
The Role:
As a key member of the Communications senior leadership team, the Social Media and Design Lead plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering impactful corporate communications through organic social media and digital tools. Drawing on your editorial judgement and understanding of reputational risk, you’ll lead the County Council’s corporate social media strategy and delivery across multiple platforms, creating and overseeing high-impact content, especially during major incidents, and influencing strategic planning. You will also manage a talented, multidisciplinary team covering social media, graphic design, web design, photography, and filmmaking – ensuring our communications are engaging, effective, and aligned with corporate priorities.
What you’ll do:
-Lead and evolve the County Council’s corporate social media strategy and delivery across multiple platforms.
-Monitor reputational risks and respond with tact and political awareness.
-Create and oversee high-impact content, especially during major incidents.
-Influence strategic communications planning and contribute to service-wide priorities – collaborating with colleagues across communications, and campaigns and brand to plan, align, and deliver both organic and paid social media activity as part of the forward planning process.
-Manage and develop a skilled digital and design team, ensuring high standards and innovation.
-Report on performance, insights, and emerging trends to senior stakeholders.
-Develop digital communications strategies and ensure compliance with legal standards.
-Create and implement social media protocols and governance policies.
-Maintain audits and security of all corporate social media accounts.
-Champion innovative platforms and techniques to boost reach and engagement, working closely with teams to elevate the quality and impact of content and campaigns.
-Oversee the production of digital assets including video, photography, and design.
-Promote and protect the County Council’s corporate identity across all communications.
-Lead recruitment, development, and performance management of team members.
-Ensure accessibility, equality, and statutory compliance in all communications.
-Produce high-quality reports and develop and deliver presentations for senior management.
What we’re looking for:
-Confident and highly experienced digital communications and reputation management professional, qualified to degree level or equivalent in public relations, marketing, communications or journalism.
-Extensive senior-level experience in high-pressure communications environments, ideally within the public sector or local government.
-Strong leadership skills, with experience managing multidisciplinary teams and work programmes – influencing at a senior level, motivating and developing staff through personal conduct and leadership.
-Excellent communication skills and strategic planning abilities, both written and verbal, with a track record of delivering innovative, engaging and effective social media strategies and campaigns that support corporate and directorate objectives, build online audiences and enhance profile.
-Outstanding stakeholder management, providing advice to the highest level of officer and Member, and able to build trusted relationships and handle sensitive issues with diplomacy and discretion.
-Strong political awareness, sound judgement and critical decision making, with the ability to identify emerging issues and mitigate reputational risks.
-Substantial project management and organisational skills, able to prioritise and deliver under pressure while maintaining high standards.
-Flexible and adaptable to respond quickly to meet urgent demands for communications, and in a crisis.
-Significant digital expertise, including digital and social media platforms and tools, complex analytics, accessibility, and legal compliance (GDPR, copyright, libel laws, and ethical communications practice).
-Financial awareness, with experience managing resources and budgets effectively.
-Tech proficiency, including Microsoft Office, Vuelio, social media platforms, analytics and scheduling tools.
-Commitment to the County Council’s values and behaviours, promoting best practice across teams.
Why join us?
Our benefits package includes details of the holiday entitlement, pension scheme, family friendly policies and interest free travel loans and discounts. We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.
If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch!
Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.
Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance.
Additional Information:
Social Media and Design Lead Candidate Pack
Please note this post is Politically Restricted.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
Sophie Fowler, Senior Leader - Operational Communications on sophie.fowlerhants.gov.uk
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
