Communications & Engagement Manager - Content Creation

Permanent

£45,529 - £49,817


Greater Manchester has a powerful story to tell, and we’re looking for a talented Senior Content Creator to bring it to life.

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative, confident and highly skilled content professional to produce engaging, social-first content for one of the UK’s most high-profile city-regions. You’ll create timely, authentic and accessible video, photography, graphics-led and written content that helps people understand what is happening across Greater Manchester and why it matters.

You’ll work across the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), Mayoral and Deputy Mayoral channelscovering everything from major announcements and high-profile events to public information and community stories.

You’ll be an experienced hands-on creator who can spot a strong story, develop a clear creative approach and film, edit and publish high-quality content at pace. You’ll combine creativity with excellent editorial and political judgement, using audience insight and platform data to make content work harder.

If you’re organised, collaborative and passionate about creating content that informs, engages and moves people, this could be your next move.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll play a leading role in creating high-quality social content that brings Greater Manchester’s priorities to life. In this role, you will:

  • Plan, film, edit, produce and publish compelling video, photography and written content for GMCA, Mayoral, Deputy Mayoral and GMFRS channels.
  • Turn complex, sensitive and high-profile issues into clear, accessible and engaging social content.
  • Identify creative opportunities and develop original ideas that connect with audiences.
  • Produce content at pace for major announcements, events and other key moments.
  • Work with colleagues, senior leaders and partners to develop strong stories and effective content plans.
  • Use platform data, audience insight and emerging trends to improve content and increase its reach and impact.
  • Provide creative and production guidance to colleagues, sharing expertise and championing high standards.
  • Help ensure our social channels are creative, accurate, inclusive, consistent and audience-focused.

This is a senior specialist role rather than a line-management post. You’ll be trusted to work independently, exercise sound judgement and provide expert advice to colleagues across the Communications and Engagement service.

What you’ll bring

  • Strong hands-on experience of producing high-quality, high-impact social media content for a high-profile organisation.
  • The ability to film and edit professional content at pace using Adobe Creative Cloud or similar software.
  • Experience of creating video, photography and written content for different social platforms, formats and audiences.
  • Excellent storytelling, writing and editorial judgement, with the ability to make complex information clear and engaging.
  • Advanced knowledge of social media platforms, trends, tools, audience behaviours and algorithms.
  • Experience of working to tight deadlines and responding confidently to short-notice requirements.
  • Experience of producing content about complex or sensitive issues and high-profile public announcements.
  • A strong understanding of how audience insight and performance data can improve content and grow engagement.
  • The confidence to work with senior stakeholders, elected representatives, partners and people who may be new to appearing on camera.
  • Calmness, resilience and sound judgement in a fast-moving and politically sensitive environment.
  • A collaborative approach and a commitment to accessibility, inclusion and high-quality public service.

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 matterfrom 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.

Supporting Documents

↗ Comms & Engagement Manager - Senior Content Creator

Ready to apply?

Location

Tootal Buildings, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU, United Kingdom

Job ID

1401

Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey

We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.

This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.

You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.

Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester

Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.

Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

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Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment

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Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment

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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach

Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.

To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice.

Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.

This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

  1. What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?

    AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

    We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

    When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.

    This means:

    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

    • Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job

    • Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role

    • All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms

    AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.

    Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

  2. Using AI in Your Application

    When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

    Your application is your chance to show us:

    • Who you are

    • What you can bring

    • The values you hold

    • Why you want to make a difference

    AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.

    AI is most helpful when used to:

    • Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria

    • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

    But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.

  4. Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

    Do:

    • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

    • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

    • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

    • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

    Don’t:

    • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

    • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

    • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice

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