Head of Media and Campaigns

Security Industry Authority; Manchester; On-site; GBP 67,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK regulatory body is seeking a Senior Leader for their communications team. This role involves shaping public messaging, overseeing media relations, and developing proactive campaigns. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in managing campaigns across various media, digital engagement, and media relations. The position offers a salary of £66,001 and additional benefits including a Civil Service pension and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Annual leave of 27.5 days, increasing with service

Civil Service pension scheme

Discounts including Gymflex

Qualifications

• Extensive experience of managing, designing and running campaigns across various media channels.
• Strong background in media and news handling.
• Experience of managing digital engagement and channels.

Responsibilities

• Lead the communications team in shaping public messaging.
• Oversee media announcements and liaise with stakeholders.
• Develop reactive handling plans for complex policy matters.

Skills

Campaign management

Media handling

Digital engagement

Crisis management

Stakeholder management

Editorial skills

Organisational skills

Job description

Role Overview

As a senior leader in the communications team, you will play a key role in shaping our public and stakeholder messaging to reflect our new role and responsibilities; inspire trust and confidence; and articulate the impact of our work.

You will lead on generating positive and proactive coverage and insight‑led campaigns that build stakeholder and public understanding of our regulatory role in keeping the public and premises safe in the UK.

You will oversee the SIA’s media announcements, use creative tactics and liaise with all relevant stakeholders to ensure maximum impact.

You will provide advice to the SIA leadership and lead on the development of reactive handling plans for complex regulatory and policy matters.

You will establish strong working relationships with journalists from national, regional and trade media, traditional and social media influencers, and build relationships with communications leads across Government, public safety and statutory partners, and organisations representing the SIA’s regulated community.

No two days will be the same. We are looking for someone who is a self‑starter who can produce results in a dynamic environment, with several key priorities and at the same time guide and support a team.

Due to business requirements, this role is only available full‑time.

Application Process

This vacancy uses Success Profiles and will assess your Ability and Experience. After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete the Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. Please complete online tests as soon as possible within 24‑48 hours is recommended; the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 17th November 2025. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn.

Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the Civil Service Jobs website.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to outline why you believe you would be an ideal candidate for this role. Please highlight your relevant skills, experience, and achievements that align with the essential job requirements. To help us assess your suitability for the role, please complete the CV incorporated into the application form by providing as much information as possible about your previous work experience and achievements. In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on personal statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. Interview details will be provided to successful candidates prior to their interview taking place.

Sift and interview dates: Sift will take place from w/c 17th of December 2025. Interviews will be held w/c 1st of December and 8th of December 2025. Interviews will be Face to Face at the designated location.

Eligibility

Visa sponsorship: We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas. If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purpose of establishing your identity. You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up. For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time.

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 EU 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

Key Requirements

• Extensive experience of managing, designing and running campaigns across a comprehensive range of media channels
• A strong background in media and news handling and experience of developing and leading teams in a busy press office
• Experience of managing digital engagement and channels
• Proven experience of a media and communications role in a complex, multi‑audience organisation
• Evidence of creativity and innovation in media and campaign management
• Experience of advising senior people in all aspects of communications and media handling
• Evidence of building relationships with national, regional and trade journalists and traditional and social media influencers
• Experience of crisis management and/or issues management
• Proven ability to effectively manage a diverse range of senior stakeholders, build strong relationships, influence and drive successful outcomes
• Experience in tracking and measuring impact and awareness‑building activity
• Experience in reporting campaign outcomes, including bringing cross‑functional teams together and aligning activity to key performance indicators and success metrics
• Exceptional written and editorial skills for producing clear, compelling and audience‑appropriate content
• Ability to break down complex issues, evaluate information objectively, identify patterns and problem‑solve
• Ability to deliver under pressure and in the face of competing demands
• Well‑developed organisational skills to manage workloads, projects, and ensure key performance measures are developed and met
• Leadership experience including supporting and guiding team members to flourish

Security and Vetting

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is a security check. See our vetting charter. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Benefits and Salary

Alongside your salary of £66,001, SIA contributes £19,120 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

• A welcoming and innovative work environment.
• Continued support and development opportunities.
• Access to training for attainment of recognised qualifications.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Annual leave entitlement will be 27.5 days, rising by one additional day for every two years of service up to a maximum of 32.5 days.
• A variety of discounts, including Gymflex.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme – Employee contribution between 4.60% and 7.35% and Employer contribution between 26.60% and 30.30%.

About the SIA

The SIA is an executive non‑departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office. We were set up in 2004 to regulate certain activities in the private security industry and work with partners to raise standards across the sector. We are now preparing to take on new responsibilities as the regulator of Martyn’s Law (officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025). The new Act will require premises in scope to be prepared to keep people safe in the event of an attack. Across both regulatory functions our primary aim is to keep people and places safe and secure across the UK. This is an exciting time to be joining a growing organisation with increased public expectation and interest. Over the next few years we will grow as an organisation from approximately 400 to 550 members of staff working across the UK.