Online Communications Officer

About the role

In this role, you will take day-to-day ownership of website content, making sure local people can find and understand the services they need.

On a day-to-day level, you will make sure that often technical updates are written in plain, active English, and publish them across our sites using our content management system.

You will be the guardian of digital accessibility, making sure every page and document strictly complies with legal standards (WCAG 2.2 AA), and work with colleagues to create mobile-friendly web content.

You’ll also be looking for improvements to internal processes. You’ll advocate, and help deploy, simple, low-code workflows and automations using existing tools and systems, such as Microsoft Power Platform and govServices. This will make routine council tasks more efficient and improve the online experience for local people.

This is a full time role working 34 hours per week on a permanent contract. This role offers the benefit of hybrid working, combining office-based working (at least 2 days per week) with home working, according to business needs.

About Swale Borough Council

Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious council, less than an hour from central London, in an attractive and diverse part of Kent involving urban, rural, and coastal areas.

We believe that staff are our most valuable asset and we’re committed to attracting and retaining the very best.

We have adapted and evolved to meet the current world by introducing a highly flexible hybrid working policy, along with a 34-hour week, recognising that staff wellbeing and work life balance is high on our agenda.

Our Offer

A range of benefits including:

• 34 hour full time working week with the offices closing at 1:30pm on Friday
• highly flexible hybrid working opportunities
• 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most roles
• generous holiday entitlement which increases after five years local government service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
• additional three days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New Year
• free workplace parking
• range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work life balance
• invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
• employee assistance programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
• life assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• season ticket loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work 
• lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax. 
• annual flu vaccine
• cycle to work scheme
• staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
• excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
• a professional fee payment, if required for the role

About You

 You must be a digitally confident communicator who cares deeply about user experience.

 You will be able to write clearly, using active language, and have the ability to decipher and explain complex information while maintaining accuracy. You’ll have an eye for quality that catches poor formatting, broken links, and out of date information before content is published.

 You should have practical experience working with modern content management systems and low-code tools like MS Power Platform, to help improve everyday operational processes.

 Just as importantly as your technical skills, you will have the communications skills needed to succeed in a complex organisation.

 You can build trust, offer constructive support, and feel comfortable negotiating content decisions.

 Selection Process

 Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.

 Swale Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.

 If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Philip Sutcliffe, Communications and Policy Manager at philipsutcliffe@swale.gov.uk

Interview Date:    Thursday 22^nd October 2026