Press and Communications Advisor in Odense Municipality (maternity leave cover)

Do you want to work with press, political communication and tell stories about some of the most important welfare tasks in our society?

In the Health, Care and Prevention Administration of Odense Municipality we are seeking a press and communications consultant for a maternity leave cover. We are looking for a sharp storyteller and advisor who can translate complex professional efforts and political decisions into clear, credible and engaging communication.

As our new colleague you will come close to current agendas within health, care, prevention, the specialized social sector and the elderly sector. You will play a central role in both proactive and reactive press work and become an important sparring partner for the councilor, the management and the leadership in a department where decisions and actions have great significance for many people’s daily lives.

The position provides a unique opportunity to work closely with the political leadership in one of Odense Municipalitys largest departments and help set agendas in areas that feature prominently in both local and national debate.

About us

The Health, Care and Prevention Administration works to ensure that adults in Odense have the best possible conditions to live a safe, healthy and meaningful life.

We help and support people who need care, nursing or health-related assistance, and we also work with prevention, health promotion and rehabilitation so that more can maintain their independence and quality of life for as long as possible.

Communication is an important part of solving our core task. We work to ensure that citizens, relatives, employees and partners meet a municipality that communicates clearly, credibly and relevantly. We tell the stories of the welfare that makes a difference for Odense residents every day, and we support the political and administrative leadership in communicating both current matters, larger reforms and long-term ambitions.

You will become part of the communications team, which works with press, strategic communications, social media, campaigns, internal communications and leadership communications. We value high professional standards, close sparring, good humor and a great degree of freedom under responsibility.

About the job

You will be the departments primary press professional capacity and will have a central role in developing and driving the press efforts. You will work closely with the Head of Communications and have ongoing contact with the councilor, the management, chiefs and leaders across the organization.

You will, among other things, come to

• Seek out, identify and develop stories from across the department and bring them to journalists and media.
• Advise and support the councilor, director, chiefs and leaders in press and communications issues.
• Handle and coordinate press inquiries as well as prepare interviews and media appearances.
• Write press releases, opinion pieces, columns, speeches, SoMe content and background materials and briefings.
• Plan and implement communications initiatives around political decisions, reforms and major initiatives.
• Translate complex professional agendas into stories and messages that make sense for citizens, employees and media.
• Build strong cross-organizational relationships and identify the stories that show the value of the departments efforts.
• Contribute to communications across the departments other internal and external channels when the story calls for it.

The position offers great variety. Some days are about quickly responding to current media issues or assisting leadership in a pressured situation. Other days are about developing long-term press initiatives, finding exciting stories in the organization or supporting the communication of major political decisions and reforms.

We expect that you

• Are educated as a journalist or have another relevant communications education.
• Have experience with press work and media relations.
• Would preferably have experience from a politically led organization.
• Have a sharp news sense and an eye for what makes a story relevant and interesting.
• Are a strong writer and can convey complex topics clearly and precisely.
• Thrive in the role of advisor and can build trusting relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Work independently, take initiative and keep an overview, even when pace is high.
• Have an interest in societal conditions, welfare and the people we are here to help.

We offer

• An exciting position with high political attention and close collaboration with the councilor and the management.
• Opportunity to work with some of the largest and most current welfare agendas in Denmark.
• A central role in a large organization with access to the entire department and its many professional areas.
• A strong professional communications environment with skilled and engaged colleagues.
• Flexible working conditions and the possibility of home office days.
• An workplace characterized by high professionalism, good collegiality and room for humor in daily life.

Salary and terms of employment

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the applicable collective agreement between KL and the negotiating organization. The expected salary level is communicated prior to a potential interview and depends on experience and qualifications. The primary place of work is Ørbækvej 100B, 5220 Odense SØ.

Want to know more?

You are welcome to contact department head Christian Marcussen at 51 28 42 51 if you want to hear more about the position.

The practical

The application deadline is 15 November. We expect to hold interviews in week 44.

This is a maternity leave position until 30 June with start as soon as possible.