12713 - HMP Bedford - CO Digital and Communications Manager

Ministry of Justice; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a Prison Digital & Communications Manager to lead digital services in prisons. This role involves improving digital adoption and content creation, engaging with staff and residents, and ensuring operational efficiency. You will handle digital communication and advocate for the effective use of technology while meeting engagement targets. Candidates should have strong writing skills and an understanding of digital technologies within a unique operational environment.

Qualifications

• Experience working with Digital and Technology.
• Experience within a prison establishment is desirable.
• Experience in content planning and Project Management.

Responsibilities

• Manage digital and technology adoption and engagement locally.
• Create high-quality written, visual and audio content.
• Communicate device-related guidance to staff and residents.

Skills

Proficient writing skills

Experience in written, audio and video communications

Experience filming and editing audio and visual content

Communicating and Influencing

Developing Self and Others

Delivering at Pace

Working Together

Job description

Overview of the job

As the Prison Digital & Communications Manager, the job holder will play a key role in driving the future of digital services and technology in prisons and helping to modernise the prison service.

The job holder will be responsible for managing digital and technology user adoption and engagement on site and planning and producing high-quality local digital communications content.

Summary

The job holder will manage digital and technology adoption and engagement locally, and champion user needs across all groups.

They will also work closely with staff, residents, and the central Hub team to plan, design and produce local digital communications and engagement content. They will be responsible for identifying opportunities for digital services, digital content and technology to improve operational efficiency, staff experience, and resident experience.

They will be accountable for delivering a set of operational targets for digital and technology management and support on site and support central teams to measure benefits.

This is a non-operational role with line management responsibilities. This role is non-rotational.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

Local Digital Communications Management

• Defining local communication requirements and working with SMT, residents and the central Content Designer to build a roadmap for local digital content.
• Creating high-quality written, visual and audio content to communicate local news, events and updates, via the Hub (our digital communications platform), creating a strong brand for local prison communications.
• Adhering to government and industry guidelines on publishing and maintaining content and reviewing page analytics and feedback to evaluate content success and engagement.

Prison Digital Services & Technology Management

• Delivering site-level digital and technology related operational performance targets, preparing a monthly report to identify and elevate any issues, risks and/or opportunities.
• Working with SMT, HMPPS and MOJ to contribute to Digital and Technology roadmap and priorities and identifying and escalating site needs.
• Supporting the central MOJ D&T in the design and delivery of new digital services and technology programmes.

User Management

• Managing staff within the digital change network, building knowledge, keeping them engaged and training them to support current and future digital services and technology programmes.
• Leading engagement, support and training for staff and residents to ensure the safe, secure and effective use of digital services and technology on site.

Operational Security

• Communicating and advocating device related guidance with residents and staff, escalating when policies or procedures are not being followed.
• Working with staff and residents to reduce rates of improper use of devices and/or digital services and reduce rates of intentional damage.
• The job holder will be expected to lead daily stand‑ups, attend the prison morning meeting with senior staff, conduct monthly operational review meetings, attend weekly hub team meetings, and lead digital change network meetings.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re‑examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Civil Service Success Profile Criteria

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Experience

Essential:

• Proficient writing skills
• Experience in written, audio and video communications
• Experience filming and editing audio and visual content

Desirable:

• Experience working within a prison establishment
• Experience working with Digital and Technology
• Experience in content planning
• Experience with Content Management Systems
• Experience in Project Management

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances

37 hour working week.