About the job

Job summary

The successful applicant will be part of the Communications Senior Management team, responsible for leading:

• the Media team, focused on delivering first-class, creative and compelling communications, whilst effectively managing high-profile and often controversial issues in a fast-paced environment; and
• the Digital Communications team, responsible for developing and creating compelling content and visuals,
• The Visits team, responsible for delivering first-class visits for Ministers, aligned with strategic Communications goals.

Job description

We are looking for someone with a consistent track record in delivering world-class communications to engage audiences, build trust, change behaviour and deliver outcomes. They must have a strong vision for what government media relations and Ministerial engagement functions should look like now and in the future, and the capabilities, tools and expertise required to deliver them. They must be able to demonstrate a willingness to work as part of a senior management team to set and achieve joint goals on strategy, finance and developing the organisation. They should be prepared to deputise for the Director of Communications, and be as comfortable talking to the Secretary of State as to apprentices. They should invite constructive challenge and understand the importance of cognitive diversity to successful group working.

The successful applicant will have an expectation of professional excellence, take pride in pioneering and will be experienced in bringing people together and breaking down boundaries.

Person specification

Essential Skills and Experience:

You will have experience of media and digital communications, including:

• Exceptional news judgement, proactive and reactive story management.
• Strategic approach to developing an integrated Communications delivery, in a high-profile and fast-moving environment.
• A proven track record of producing high quality Communications outcomes, reaching different audiences.

Proven track record of extensive contact with ministers/C-suite, or similar senior stakeholders. Able to build excellent relationships and given robust advice. Bringing a proactive and collaborative approach.

Comfortable leading a large, multidisciplinary team, and contributing to the leadership of the Comms Directorate as a whole, including:

• Supporting and developing a team that staffs a 24/7 Duty Rota.
• Improving integrated ways of working across Comms disciplines.
• Interest in DSIT policy areas and the ability to hit the ground running.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,000, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £20,250 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

To apply for this post please follow the instructions on the CS Jobs website by no later than 23:55 25th January 2024. As part of the application process, you are asked to complete the following:

1. A CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role, relevant achievements in recent posts, together with reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

2. A Statement of Suitability (no more than 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.

3. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to undertake a Staff Engagement Exercise as part of the recruiting prior to the final interview. This exercise will not result in a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ decision. Rather it is designed to support the panel's decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview. 

4. Final Interview.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.