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Job Advert:
Senior Communications Officer
Role: Senior Communications Officer
Working for: Andy McDonald MP, Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Location: Middlesbrough & Thornaby East
Salary: In line with IPSA Pay-scales
Closing date: 10PM on Sunday 23 August 2026
Contract: Permanent
Key Responsibilities:
Andy McDonald MP is seeking an experienced Senior Communications Officer to lead and deliver a strategic communications programme across digital, print and media channels.
The successful candidate will be organised, creative, and proactive, with a proven ability to produce high-quality written, photographic, and video content. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated team supporting constituents across Middlesbrough and Thornaby East.
Job specification:
Within this role, you will:
- Develop and maintain a detailed communications grid and social media strategy.
- Produce clear, engaging and creative written, graphic, digital and video content to keep constituents updated on the work of the MP.
- Manage website content and multi-platform social media channels, including audience growth and engagement.
- Design, produce and distribute written materials for constituents, including a digital newsletter.
- Monitor media, news, and political developments at the national, regional, and local levels and draft press releases as required.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with local, regional and national media, responding proactively and reactively to media opportunities.
- Accompany the MP to meetings, visits, events and other engagements across the constituency and capture photo and/or video content as appropriate.
- Monitor social media enquiries and ensure constituents receive timely responses.
- Research local, regional and national issues to support the MP’s work, and analyse, evaluate and interpret data to ensure the MP is accurately informed on key issues and trends.
- Provide strategic advice and support to the MP on constituent matters where appropriate.
- Prepare communications and policy briefings for the MP as required.
- Carry out other reasonable duties in support of the MP and the wider office.
Person Specification:
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong written communications skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to tailor content for a range of audiences.
- Experience using digital content creation tools, such as Canva, Kapwing, or similar software, to produce high-quality digital content.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to spot trends and react quickly to news.
- Creativity, proactivity, and enthusiasm.
- Previous experience both in a communications role and in digital content creation and delivery.
- Good awareness of local authority, combined authority and key constituency public and private sector stakeholders and a keen interest in current affairs and the political landscape.
- Sound political judgement and sympathy with the aims and values of the Labour Party.
- There may also be a requirement for the role holder to work outside of the normal working hours and travel for work occasionally.
Upon appointment, you will be required to comply with the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, undertaken by the Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO). See Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO) page for further info. MPs generally pay staff in accordance with IPSA guidelines.
Closing Date: 10PM on Sunday 23 August 2026
Application Details:
Please send a CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for this role to siobhan.callaghan@parliament.uk with the subject line ‘Senior Communications Officer’.
Applicants are also encouraged to provide up to five examples of content they have produced across a range of mediums, which may include written, digital, print, photographic and video work.
Should you require any further information, please contact Siobhan by email or phone on 01642 246574.