Senior Communications Officer - Press - Culture and Creative Industries London, England
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About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
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Location
About the job
Job summary
Whilst DCMS is advertising this vacancy, the successful candidate(s) may ultimately be appointed to the newly created Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled Senior Communications Officer in one of the most interesting, varied and fast-paced Whitehall departments.
We’re looking for an experienced, talented and creative communications professional to join our small, friendly, integrated team where you’ll get the chance to build your skills across all areas of DCMS work.
You will be working on a high-profile desk covering everything from national museums and arts, through to the film industry, advertising, fashion and major ceremonial events, finding creative ways of championing these sectors across print, broadcast and online.
You will be leading a small team on a busy desk where one day you could be announcing major investment in the arts, advising on aspects of a major national ceremonial moment or showcasing record-breaking investment in the film industry. You will play an important role in shaping the way the public understands the government’s investment in these sectors and how they benefit their daily lives.
Job description
About You
You will have excellent news sense, proven experience of working in a busy communications environment and first-rate media handling and digital skills.
You will have strong leadership skills, and the ability to foster and maintain good relations with a wide range of contacts, from journalists and industry leaders to ministers, senior policy officials and special advisers.
You’ll know how to get our messages out through the media, engage our audiences through digital content and develop exciting campaigns which feed into the government’s wider agenda.
Job Specification
You will be:
- Working closely with policy colleagues you will devise and deliver targeted media plans across all channels and provide an authoritative, effective and professional service to the media.
- Handling breaking news stories and planned announcements you will produce creative, proactive news and visit ideas, PR features and social media opportunities for DCMS policies.
- Working with DCMS arm’s length bodies and stakeholders such as film studios, national museums and cultural institutions, you’ll plan and maximise announcements and exploit opportunities for joint working.
- You will provide first-rate media advice and support to ministers, senior officials and stakeholders.
- Monitoring and evaluating media work, you will ensure objectives are being met and messages land in the media.
- All members of the News and Communications team are expected to take part in the out of hours duty rota, for which overtime is paid.
- Short notice London working is required.
Person specification
Reporting to the Head of Culture and Ceremonials Communications, the successful candidate will:
- Have significant experience in communications, PR, journalism or news.
- Have devised and delivered creative media plans, using the right channels for the target audience.
- Have excellent news sense and first-rate media handling skills.
- Show they are effective at spotting proactive media opportunities and implementing these across the media landscape.
- Have excellent organisational skills and be able to shape and deliver communication strategies.
- Demonstrate strong leadership skills and the ability to deliver at pace and under pressure to competing deadlines and on multiple projects.
- Demonstrate experience of influencing and advising senior colleagues / ministers on all aspects of media.
- Set evaluation metrics and consistently implement lessons learned.
- Be an enthusiastic team player with a can-do attitude - offering creative solutions to problems and leading the media agenda.
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a range of essential skills and experience outlined in the GCS Competency Framework and Behaviours set out in the Success Profiles Framework.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Leadership
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Ideas
- Insight
- Implementation
- Impact
Benefits
DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We’re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:
- Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home.
- 26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service.
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- 3 days of paid volunteering leave.
- Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave.
- Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year.
- Occupational sick pay.
- Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks.
- Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work.
- Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!
Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to apply
As part of the application process, you are asked to complete a CV and 750 word statement of suitability giving clear examples of work that demonstrates your suitability for the role.
Applications will be assessed following the closing date and if you are successful at sift stage you will be invited to interview.
The Interview
Candidates invited to interview will undertake a blended assessment covering the behaviours, GCS competencies (listed in the job description) and experience.
You will also be required to undertake an exercise as part of your interview for which further details will be provided in advance of the interview.
In most cases interviews will take place remotely via Google Meet video call. However please refer to the Candidate Information Pack to confirm the interview approach.
For indicative sift and interview dates please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DCMS 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
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/ Access NI 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.
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]
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.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the ‘Information for Applicants’ document.
Location
This role can be based in London, Manchester, Darlington, Belfast or Loughborough. The hub locations are displayed on the job advert. Not all hub locations have confirmed office space yet - successful applicants will be expected to work remotely until this becomes available.
Reasonable Adjustment
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process.
In order to request an adjustment, please:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on 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 interview, or a verbal test rather than a written one.
Alternatively, contact the Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the 'contact point for applicants' section of the job advert.
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
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact ([email protected]) in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/
