Chief Media Officer London, England
Job description
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Press Relations
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
This recruitment is continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be located in the new Department for Business and Trade. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.
Do you want to manage a high-performing team in one of the most interesting, varied and fast-paced departments in Whitehall, advising Ministers and writing tomorrow’s news headlines?
The newly formed Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is looking for a high-performing Chief Media Officer with news savvy and political nous to lead the Markets & Business press desk.
You will be responsible for shaping the news agenda and communicating government policy on some of the biggest challenges the country faces – from supporting businesses through the challenging economic climate to putting more cash in workers’ pockets, DBT is rarely out of the news.
The role is challenging and wide-ranging. You will be responsible for leading a team of press officers who will need to deliver punchy press products and communications plans. You will be advising Ministers and Secretary of State on domestic or international visits, or ahead of media interviews. And you will use your contacts in the media to brief journalists on breaking news stories as they happen.
As part of the DBT senior media team, you will work side-by-side with Special Advisers, Private Office, and senior officials on reactive and proactive media. You will also be expected to liaise with the Downing Street press office and provide recommendations on prominent business and trade issues. The decisions you make will have a significant impact on the reputation and success of the whole Department.
You’ll have line management responsibilities and be expected to consistently deliver through your team, providing guidance and training to help them continue their career progression and improve in the role.
Job description
- Devise and implement a communications strategy that cuts through for departmental announcements, ministerial events and visits, speaking engagements and interview opportunities
- Act as a trusted advisor to Ministers and Secretary of State on all communications matters, including acting as a Press Secretary on domestic and international trips
- Managing a team of Press Officers, supporting and developing them to ensure they contribute both to your brief and a first-class press office operation overall
- Set clear communications objectives, provide strong rational for your decisions, and evaluate subsequent coverage to ensure objectives are being met and DBT’s key messages are landing well with our key audiences
- Act as the project lead for major communications moments, such as high-profile policy announcements, the introduction of major Bills to parliament, and cross-Government events
- Participate in an out-of-hours duty rota in a senior supervisory role, for which you will be paid overtime
Hybrid working
The role will be based in either Darlington or London. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas.
Informal hybrid working arrangements will be available as agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Most DBT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in an office, on average. If your office location is London, you will be eligible to receive London weighting.
Appointments will be made to candidates in merit order based on location preferences.
Support in applying for our vacancies is available by joining a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Proven news sense, excellent judgement, political nous and outstanding internal and external communication skills
- Excellent written English and experience of implementing quality control so your team are consistently delivering high-class media products to short deadlines
- Experience of advising senior figures and delivering high-quality materials for them at pace and scale
- Track record of building strong trusting relationships with national correspondents & delivering a first-class service to journalists
- Experience of line management, or managing a team to successfully deliver communications objectives
- Experience of leading press or media handling for high-profile media moments across print, broadcast and digital channels
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Communication Framework Competency – Implementation
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
Sift will take place week commencing 22/05/2023.
Interviews will take place week commencing 29/05/2023.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and a personal statement. If you are offered an interview, you will be asked to give a presentation.
Please align your CV with previous skills and experience. Maximum of 2 A4 pages.
When writing your personal statement you should use this as an opportunity to align your experience and skills to highlight how you best meet the requirements of the position. Maximum word count of 500.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
For this role, the Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. Please note we are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
The Department for International Trade embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation.
Please note – harmonised terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to the Department for International Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
SC
All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK. The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
If you require SC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.
Checks will be made against:
- Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
- UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
- Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- Security Services records
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
