This job will involve working in the vibrant town of Abergavenny. With an electorate of over 8500, and a wider population of 12000, it is situated on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, frequently referred to as the Gateway to Wales. Our active community is supported by the Town Council which currently consists of 17 elected members across 6 wards. The Council’s budget for 2026-27 is £721,000. 

The post holder will work from the Town Hall, Abergavenny with availability to attend evening meetings and occasional weekends. Flexible working conditions includes regular working from home and remote working.

This post is eligible for the Local Government Pension Scheme and the terms and conditions of service are in line with the National Joint Council guidelines.

So, what are we after?

The Community Engagement Officer will be a professional responsible for building and maintaining positive relationships between an organisation and the communities it serves.  The Community Engagement Officer will act as a bridge between the Town Council and community, ensuring that the needs, concerns, and aspirations of community members are understood and addressed.

Key responsibilities will include:

Carrying out a varied programme of administrative, clerical, project and finance related duties in assisting the Principal Officer in the smooth running of the Council.  These will include but are not limited to:

• Managing community relationships
• Designing initiatives, events, or campaigns that support community development, resilience and engagement, both online and offline
• Act as a liaison between the community and Town Council, relaying feedback, concerns, and suggestions to ensure transparency and responsiveness
• Coordinating logistics for events, preparing administrative requirements, and ensuring these run effectively.
• Support social media and latest news articles for the town council website with the Principal Officer, including regular monitoring of online content and communications.
• Coordinate the administration of the Mayoral diary, and support events throughout the Mayoral Year for the promotion and awareness raising of the chosen organisations/charities the Mayor is supporting during their year of office.
• Regular communication with and attendance at community group events and meetings to keep groups updated on Town Council business and planned events.

SKILLS:

The Community Engagement Officer will possess:

• Strong communication skills: Ability to convey messages clearly and listen actively to community members
• Interpersonal skills: Building rapport and fostering positive interactions with diverse groups
• Organisational and project management skills: Planning, executing, and monitoring community programmes efficiently
• Problem-solving and adaptability: Addressing concerns and adapting initiatives to meet evolving needs, creating a more resilient and robust community

You’ll get…

• To work with a dynamic and friendly team
• Opportunity to work with a diverse variety of stakeholders, town councillors, county councillors, local businesses, national bodies and local community.
• An ambitious workplace, focussed on growth opportunities, for you and the team.  We offer a comprehensive training programme and encourage professional development.
• Be awarded a Full Time Equivalent salary SCP18-22. £31,537 – £33,699. This equates to a starting band of £16.35 per hour (pay award pending). Salaries are reviewed annually. Incremental progression follows successful appraisal and acquisition of training and qualifications.

How to apply:

Application: stage 1

• Send us your CV, with a covering letter explaining why you want to work with us.

Shortlisting: stage 2

• 30 minute Microsoft Teams chat with the Principal Officer and one Councillor.

Interview: stage 3

• Deliver a short presentation (subject to be confirmed) followed by a face-to-face interview with the Principal Officer and selected Councillors.

 Completion: stage 4

• The successful applicant will be offered a contract of employment

• We offer constructive feedback to all candidates if requested. We would love to hear from you about your thoughts on the selection process.

The successful applicant will be part of the team responsible for ensuring the Council receives the advice, guidance and information it requires to ensure due diligence and good governance.

You will provide support to the Principal Officer/Responsible Financial Officer (Town Clerk) in relation to the management of the Council’s operations and helping develop and implement its forward-looking strategy and associated plans.  This will include occasional attendance at evening meetings.

We strive to be an Equal Opportunities Employer.  We recognise that some candidates may be put off applying for a post if they feel they don’t meet all of the requirements. If you have read the above and are interested, and don’t have knowledge or experience of every point on the list, do put in an application as we’d love to hear from you.