Communications Officer
Role: Communications Officer
Department: Corporate Communications
Location: Carbrook, Sheffield
Salary: £36,630 - £41,907
Hours: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
If you are an experienced communicator looking for an exciting new challenge, this could be the role for you.
We currently have a sought-after opportunity available for a Communications Officer to join the team.
The full time position is an all-round communications officer who will play an active role in the full spectrum of communications, including campaigns, internal communication, digital media and PR.
On one day you could be playing a lead role in the development of the force’s new intranet or out filming a drugs warrant, then the next you might be launching the force’s next campaign or briefing a senior officer for an in-depth interview.
Around one week in every four will be spent covering our newsdesk, which means you’ll be on the front line of breaking news and supporting our colleagues across the force with communications around a live investigation or answering questions from the media.
In return, you will receive a generous remuneration package including standby allowance, overtime and time off in lieu. The role is based at our headquarters in Carbrook, Sheffield but hybrid working is available and encouraged. On average full time colleagues work around two days per week in a police building fulfilling proactive duties.
The right person for this role will be a team player with a creative mindset who can think on their feet in a fast-paced environment. You will have demonstrable experience in communications or an impressive transferable skillset from another sector such as a PR agency or journalism. Experience in police communications would be beneficial but if not, a willingness to learn media law is essential and support would be provided for this.
Key responsibilities:
- Promote the work of South Yorkshire Police through a range of channels externally and internally (via the SYP intranet).
- Develop positive and supportive relationships with all stakeholders including OPCC, NPCC, local authorities and other statutory bodies in South Yorkshire.
- Receive and manage media enquiries (international, national, regional, and local), making decisions about the appropriate response to be given in order to support South Yorkshire Police and to protect and enhance the reputation of the Force – where necessary to receive and manage these enquiries out of normal office hours.
- Provide tactical communications advice to the Force including providing media training, where needed, and acting as an advisor to prepare individuals for media interviews.
- Plan, implement and produce material for on-line publication to increase public accessibility and engagement with the Force, uploading information to the Force website and other social and digital platforms.
- In liaison with the Communications Hub Manager, plan and deliver communications strategies, policies, and procedures to ensure a corporate, consistent, ethical, and effective approach towards media engagement and news management.
- Plan and direct, on a day-to-day basis, communications activity through the media and social media which further develops the Forces interaction with communities and partners.
- Alongside departmental management, help to govern and ensure the consistent application of the Force’s image and brand across all communication platforms.
Skills and experience:
- Degree holder/qualification holder or having proven relevant professional experience in the business area (Communications and/or Journalism).
- Extensive knowledge and experience in the use of a wide range of traditional media mechanisms and social and digital media platforms and the writing of articles, features and copy for publication on a variety of channels.
- Sound knowledge or experience of creating campaign which deliver behavioural change for both and internal and external audience.
- Sound knowledge of legislation which impacts upon media coverage and criminal justice procedures and sound knowledge of legislation which impacts upon web-based communications for a variety of audiences.
- Experience of working in a fast-paced communications and/or media environment.
Skills and experience as documented in the role profile need to be evidenced in your application to be considered for interview
For more detailed information relating to the role, skills and experience for this role, please click here to view the role profile
What we offer:
We offer generous entitlements and supportive policies to enable a better work-life balance, some of which are listed below:
- A highly competitive salary and access to a generous pension scheme
- Generous annual leave allowance
- A wide range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Flexible working arrangements including flexi-time and hybrid working
- A transparent and collaborative team culture underpinned by our core values of Fairness, Integrity & Trust
- Comprehensive range of development and leadership courses to develop your career with South Yorkshire Police
- Employee Assistant Programme (accessible 24/7) offering confidential support and advice
- Flexible lifestyle benefits such as: Blue Light Card, Company Shop, Cycle to work scheme
- Committed to embedding sustainability: South Yorkshire Police Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 (yhrn.police)
- Membership to the Sports and Social Club
- Access to a wide range of staff support groups and networks
Eligibility:
Applicants must meet the minimum requirement checkable history criteria, which must be taken into account for individuals applying to work with South Yorkshire Police in any capacity. A minimum checkable history of 5 years is required for this role and successfully undergoing recruitment vetting procedure is a pre-requisite of employment with South Yorkshire Police.
Appearance & Standards:
South Yorkshire Police is committed to striking a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. Officers, staff, and volunteers of South Yorkshire Police are permitted to have tattoos visible whilst on duty provided the tattoo is not considered to be unacceptable or otherwise inappropriate. Tattoos will be reviewed as part of the recruitment and selection process.
South Yorkshire Police’s Key Values:
At South Yorkshire Police we have 3 key values which run through everything we do Fairness, Integrity & Trust, the attached document details the key behaviours we expect all employees to adhere to.
Smarter ways of Working:
South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables SYP to provide an outstanding service to the community.
There are 3 different categories as part of this which are: Fixed, Field and Hybrid.
This role has been evaluated as a hybrid role.
Hybrid: Applicable when the work can be undertaken at any location, whether that be a SYP building or from home.
Contact details:
For further information about the role, please contact: Georgina Poulton by email on georgina.poulton@southyorkshire.police.uk
Closing Date: 17th September 2025
Interviews: 22nd September 2025
Closing dates are not normally extended, other than in exceptional circumstances and agreement is made between the Talent Acquisition Manager and the Line Manager for the role.
How to apply:
Please click ‘Apply’
Candidate Information:
Please note that, should you be successful at the interview stage and before appointment, the relevant pre-employment checks are required. These include references, medical clearance, vetting clearance and sickness absence criteria check.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Applications are particularly welcome from female and ethnic minority candidates.
It is really important to us that the department represents the community we serve, in order for us to provide the best service, utilising a range of backgrounds, experience and skills. We support and value all officers and staff and the unique experiences they bring to the role. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from these valuable underrepresented groups.
If you are from an underrepresented group and want to find out more about the support we can offer, please contact our dedicated team on positiveaction@southyorks.pnn.police.uk
In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires Part Time/Job share working hours.
Documents to Review:
For the Police Staff Recruitment Vetting Handbook - Please Click here
For Application Guidance and Tips - Please Click Here
For the FIT Values of South Yorkshire Police - Please Click Here
View our recruitment video: