Head of Media

Government Recruitment Service; Greater London; Sur place; GBP 77 000 - 95 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Disability Confident employer scheme

Résumé du poste

Government Recruitment Service in London seeks an exceptional Deputy Director, Head of Media Relations to lead a team of communications professionals in promoting DHSC’s policies and priorities. You will oversee a 24-hour media service, deliver real-time rebuttal and proactive media moments, and work with ministers and stakeholders across health and social care to support communications objectives.

The role sits on the Senior Management Team, driving performance and delivery across the

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in communications leadership in high-profile areas.
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder issues at pace.
• Experience advising ministers and senior officials on communications strategy.

Responsabilités

• Lead teams to deliver innovative communications strategies for ministers and government priorities.
• Advise ministers and senior policy officials as policy develops, identifying reputational risks.
• Build teams that identify online conversations and respond quickly to risks.
• Maintain a proactive rebuttal approach with clear messaging across channels.
• Support the Director of Communications by advising the Secretary of State and officials.
• Develop networks across government and partner organisations for rapid responses.
• Manage resources to deliver reactive, proactive, and crisis communications.

Description du poste

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) supports ministers in leading the nation’s health and social care to help people live more independent, healthier lives for longer. Our work supports major government commitments and attracts significant public interest.

Our award-winning communications is now looking for an exceptional Deputy Director, Head of Media Relations, with experience of working in a complex environment that is subject to significant public, political and media scrutiny. You will lead a team of communications professionals in promoting DHSC’s policies and priorities. We are looking for an experienced communicator who will bring energy, experience and dynamism to the role.

You will oversee management of a 24-hour media service managing risk and reputation, delivering real time rebuttal as well as creative, original proactive media moments. You will understand the importance of choosing the right channel and tactics in delivering messages and ensure your team engages with, and builds support from, partners across the health and social care sector, charities, science and business to support communication objectives, in addition to working closely with ministers, government stakeholders and the media.

As part of the Senior Management Team you are responsible for designing and delivering effective multi-channel communications campaigns that are based on insight and help deliver organisational objectives. You will also play a part in working with the Director of Communications and head of profession in driving performance and delivery across the directorate.

We offer a competitive package, excellent development opportunities, a supportive team and the chance to communicate on some of today’s most important issues.

Experience in health or social care is not essential, but you will need a strong record of communications leadership in high-profile areas and the ability to handle complex stakeholder issues at pace. If you are excited by the opportunity and ready for the challenge, we want to hear from you.

Key responsibilities

As Deputy Director, Head of Media Relations your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead teams to deliver innovative communications strategies for the Secretary of State and ministers, aligned with government priorities and using new media.
• Advise ministers and senior policy officials as policy develops, using audience insight to identify reputational risks and ensure coherent communications plans for government and Secretary of State priorities.
• Build teams that identify emerging online conversations, respond quickly to risks and use trends to reach new audiences with government messages.
• Maintain a strong approach to reactive communications and rebuttal, correcting inaccuracies through clear messaging, proactive media, partner briefings and owned digital channels.
• Support the Director of Communications by advising the Secretary of State, ministers and officials.
• Build a network of communicators across government, arm’s-length bodies, partner organisations and local authorities to support collaboration and rapid responses.
• Manage resources effectively to deliver excellent reactive, proactive and crisis communications.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Head of Media

Company: Government Recruitment Service
Salary: £86,000 to £86,000 a year
Hours: Full-time
Location: London
Job type: Permanent
Posting date: 27 Oct 2026
Closing date: 8 Nov 2026

Summary

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) supports ministers in leading the nation’s health and social care to help people live more independent, healthier lives for longer. Our work supports major government commitments and attracts significant public interest.

Our award-winning communications is now looking for an exceptional Deputy Director, Head of Media Relations, with experience of working in a complex environment that is subject to significant public, political and media scrutiny. You will lead a team of communications professionals in promoting DHSC’s policies and priorities. We are looking for an experienced communicator who will bring energy, experience and dynamism to the role.

You will oversee management of a 24-hour media service managing risk and reputation, delivering real time rebuttal as well as creative, original proactive media moments. You will understand the importance of choosing the right channel and tactics in delivering messages and ensure your team engages with, and builds support from, partners across the health and social care sector, charities, science and business to support communication objectives, in addition to working closely with ministers, government stakeholders and the media.

As part of the Senior Management Team you are responsible for designing and delivering effective multi-channel communications campaigns that are based on insight and help deliver organisational objectives. You will also play a part in working with the Director of Communications and head of profession in driving performance and delivery across the directorate.

We offer a competitive package, excellent development opportunities, a supportive team and the chance to communicate on some of today’s most important issues.

Experience in health or social care is not essential, but you will need a strong record of communications leadership in high-profile areas and the ability to handle complex stakeholder issues at pace. If you are excited by the opportunity and ready for the challenge, we want to hear from you.

Key responsibilities

As Deputy Director, Head of Media Relations your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead teams to deliver innovative communications strategies for the Secretary of State and ministers, aligned with government priorities and using new media.
• Advise ministers and senior policy officials as policy develops, using audience insight to identify reputational risks and ensure coherent communications plans for government and Secretary of State priorities.
• Build teams that identify emerging online conversations, respond quickly to risks and use trends to reach new audiences with government messages.
• Maintain a strong approach to reactive communications and rebuttal, correcting inaccuracies through clear messaging, proactive media, partner briefings and owned digital channels.
• Support the Director of Communications by advising the Secretary of State, ministers and officials.
• Build a network of communicators across government, arm’s-length bodies, partner organisations and local authorities to support collaboration and rapid responses.
• Manage resources effectively to deliver excellent reactive, proactive and crisis communications.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.