🚀 Deputy Head of Media

Overview

Our award‑winning communications directorate is now looking for exceptional Deputy Heads of Media Relations, with experience of working in a complex environment that is subject to significant public, and media scrutiny. You will be part of a leadership team overseeing communications professionals in promoting DHSC policies and priorities, while managing the day‑to‑day operations of our 24‑hour media service, responding to breaking news as well as designing creative, original, and proactive media announcements.

You should be an experienced communicator with a strong news sense and excellent judgement who can hit the ground running. As part of the senior media relations leadership team you will provide media expertise in an area of significant public and political scrutiny.

You will understand the importance of choosing the right channel and tactics in delivering messages and ensuring your team engages with, and builds support from, partners across the health and social care sector, charities, science and business to support communications objectives, in addition to working closely with government stakeholders and the media.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an area demanding strategic oversight, leadership, and innovation.

We can offer you a competitive package, an excellent range of training and development opportunities, a friendly and supportive team and, above all, the chance to play a key role in communicating some of the most important issues in society today.

Once you become a member of our team, we are not only interested in what you can bring to communications, but also our culture and values, including commitments to staff health and wellbeing, and our diversity & inclusion working group.

We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares the communications directorate’s and wider department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, while ensuring candidates who apply through the Disability Confident Scheme requiring adjustments are supported during our recruitment process.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace

All information provided in your application is factually accurate. Any examples provided must be taken from personal experience. The Civil Service abides by honesty and integrity as part of its core values, if evidence of plagiarism is found, applications may be withdrawn.

Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance.

Key Responsibilities

You will provide media expertise in an area of significant public and political scrutiny. You will understand the importance of choosing the right channel and tactics in delivering messages and ensuring your team engages with, and builds support from, partners across the health and social care sector, charities, science and business to support communications objectives, in addition to working closely with government stakeholders and the media.

You will be part of a leadership team overseeing communications professionals in promoting DHSC policies and priorities, while managing the day‑to‑day operations of our 24‑hour media service, responding to breaking news as well as designing creative, original, and proactive media announcements.

You will be an experienced communicator with a strong news sense and excellent judgement who can hit the ground running.

Key Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing media relations for high profile, large and complex organisations.
• A track record of building effective relationships and contacts, and confidently briefing media at all levels to ensure accurate and informed reporting.
• Proven knowledge of digital, broadcast and print media, an ability to quickly spot issues that will be of media interest, and an appreciation of the rapid pace at which stories move in a 24/7 communications environment.
• A track record of developing and delivering proactive communications strategies that enhance the reputation of an organisation, as part of an integrated communications function.
• Established credibility and authority in gaining the confidence of and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Highly developed written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to rapidly brief on complex issues, presenting in a clear and concise manner and identifying key messages, using recognised insight and evaluation techniques to shape communications and provide measurable results.
• The ability to confidently lead, inspire and empower teams and to build team capability.

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 employer contribution of 28.97%

Nationality Requirements

• 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)
• 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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Employment Terms

New entrants to the civil service will be considered on the minimum pay band. Existing civil servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs will be considered on loan basis or secondment. All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions. Procurement and terms are detailed in the full terms and conditions documentation linked in the original advert.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, welcoming diversity, equality and inclusion. The Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) supports candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria, as does the redeployment interview scheme for those at risk of redundancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent wherever it is found. The Civil Service People Plan and Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy provide guidance and support. All applicants are welcomed irrespective of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, equality or diversity.

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