Head of Air and Space Media & Communications (RAF)

Royal Air Force (RAF); Naphill; Sur place; GBP 81 000 - 109 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Flexible working options

Civil Service pension scheme

Learning and development

Inclusive culture

Résumé du poste

Royal Air Force is seeking a senior media and communications leader to head Air & Space Media and Communications. You will champion the Communications function across the Air Command and act as the principal adviser to senior stakeholders, shaping strategy and managing a multi‑million pound budget.

The role requires leading high‑performing teams, delivering impactful campaigns, and representing the RAF in key government and supplier relationships.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience developing and delivering communications strategies in large complex organisations.
• Proven ability to advise senior stakeholders and provide strategic counsel.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing change.

Responsabilités

• Lead Air M&C across Air Command and RAF communications strategy.
• Represent Air M&C in senior relationships with RAF, MOD, suppliers and government bodies.
• Direct RAF communications strategy and measure impact quarterly.
• Provide communications advice to the Air and Space Executive Committee.
• Oversee internal/external communications, content production and ceremonial activities.
• Business management including budgeting and forecasting (approx. £4m).
• Deputise for Assistant Chief of Air Staff as required.

Connaissances

Strategic communications

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Description du poste

In Air and Space Media and Communications, we have the privilege of telling impactful, engaging stories about the RAF that have an international reach, with the goal of increasing understanding of the role the RAF plays in protecting the nation, now and in the future. From the counter-drone operations in the Middle East to the defence of Space, we get to work on high profile and interesting campaigns that you don't find elsewhere. Our people are our most valued asset, and our internal communications are as important as those global media moments, As leader of this brilliant Whole Force team of Regulars, Reservists and Civilians, you will be their biggest champion and a passionate advocate for the Royal Air Force. It's a challenging role that can be hugely demanding at times, but it's also rewarding, exciting and fulfilling, crucial to positioning the RAF as part of a Joint global UK Defence narrative that deters our adversaries and celebrates our alliances.

• Leadership of Air M&C, and professional leadership of the Communications function across the Air Command.
• Represent Air M&C in senior relationships within RAF and externally with suppliers, MOD, Government Communications Service and professional bodies. Engagement with senior stakeholders on challenging topics is a critical part of this role, and you will need to build trust and credibility quickly.
• Directing and delivering the RAF Communications Strategy, tracking the impact of our outputs against objectives on a quarterly basis and agreeing changes to our strategic direction as part of the RAF senior leadership team.
• Provide communications advice to the Air and Space Executive Committee.
• Full oversight of a complex operating model including internal and external communications, high profile content production and RAF ceremonial activities.
• Business management, including financial and resourcing modelling and forecasting, management of c£4m budget overall.
• As required, deputise for Assistant Chief of Air Staff where required and provide cover for your colleagues, both as a senior member of the RAF, a senior Civilian in Air and a member of the MOD communications community.

Air Vice-Marshal Cab Townsend is delighted to be hosting an informal online Q&A session on 20 October 2026, 15:00-15:30 to share more about the Head of Media & Communications (SCS1) role, the team, and the opportunities and challenges that come with it. There will also be plenty of time for your questions. You can join the session at this . Attendance is completely optional and plays no part in the formal assessment process. If you experience any issues accessing the session, please contact .

External candidates who join the MOD and are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

If you wish to receive any material in a different format for accessibility, then please contact . Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise. As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Security Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is . .People working with government assets must complete 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
• 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

Extensive experience of developing and delivering impactful communications strategies within complex organisations, ensuring communications activity supports organisational objectives and adapts to changing priorities. Senior Stakeholder Influence and Counsel

Proven ability to advise and influence senior stakeholders, building trusted relationships and providing strategic counsel on high-profile, complex and sensitive issues to achieve organisational objectives.

Leadership of High-Performing Teams

Demonstrable experience of leading and developing high-performing multidisciplinary teams, driving continuous improvement, building capability and fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.

Strategic Judgement and Organisational Impact

Strong strategic thinking and communications judgement, with the ability to align communications activity to organisational priorities, balance competing demands and deliver measurable outcomes.

Leading Through Change and Ambiguity

Demonstrable resilience and adaptability, with experience of leading teams and communications activity through change, uncertainty and evolving priorities whilst maintaining focus, momentum and delivery.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £95,000, Ministry of Defence contributes £27,521 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Things you need to know Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.