Head of News

Scottish Government; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental body in Scotland is seeking a communications team leader to enhance external communications. The ideal candidate will manage media relationships, engage with ministers for strategic planning, and drive creative social media strategies. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential alongside resilience in high-pressure situations. This role includes a specified pay supplement and aims to promote effective communication strategies successfully. Applications close on December 7, 2025.

Benefits

Communications Pay Supplement of £3,000 per annum

Increased supplement to £5,000 after 12 months

Qualifications

• Experience in a senior news/external communications role.
• Ability to prioritize and maintain resilience under pressure.
• Strong organizational skills in pressurized environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the communications team.
• Represent communications at senior management meetings.
• Engage with journalists and key influencers for media insights.
• Drive social media content strategy and manage crisis situations.

Skills

Team leadership

Creative communication

Strategic thinking

Knowledge of politics and current affairs

Managing media relations

Job description

Description

The TS news team is at the front line of the Scottish Government’s external communications reporting directly to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Minister for Connectivity. You will work with Ministers, special advisers, policy officials and other communications disciplines such as digital and marketing colleagues to develop and deliver integrated strategies and products. You will lead a team tasked with promoting and explaining policies and ministerial decisions to the public via news media and social media channels and by working closely with external partners and other communications professionals.

• Experience of leading and managing a driven team and the ability to balance workloads to ensure priority work is delivered effectively and on time.
• Ability to think creatively and communicate using a wide range of traditional and emerging media channels to target the right audiences.
• Developed news sense, organisational skills and ability to work in a very pressurised environment.
• Experience of working strategically and at a senior executive level.
• Strong knowledge and interest in politics and current affairs.

Supplement

This specialist post carries a Communications Pay Supplement of £3,000 per annum pro‑rata, rising to £5,000 on completion of 12 months of successful service, paid in addition to salary.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the team, supporting all members to thrive by setting clear direction, challenging work and continuous improvement.
• Represent communications at Senior Management Team and Ministerial portfolio meetings, providing strategic communications and media handling advice.
• Manage the news and media function, setting priorities and managing internal budgets.
• Collaborate with Ministers, policy colleagues and special advisers for programme‑level strategic planning and cross‑portfolio communications.
• Engage with journalists and key influencers to spot opportunities and react quickly, ensuring Ministers receive timely professional advice.
• Drive a dynamic and creative social media content strategy, managing risks and opportunities of running channels.
• Co‑ordinate campaigns with marketing and insight colleagues to promote Scottish Government campaigns.
• Participate in the duty rota, providing senior support and advice to Ministers and the media during out‑of‑hours and weekends.
• Lead crisis management by pre‑identifying problems and providing timely advice to staff and Ministers, including detailed planning for major events and emergencies.
• Create, shape, share and exchange dynamic content through social media, supporting corporate communications strategy and driving improvements across Transport Scotland.

Success profile

• Technical / Professional Skills: Insight, Ideas, Implementation, Impact.
• Experience: Senior news/external communications role, understanding of news consumption habits and social media trends, ability to prioritise and maintain resilience under pressure.
• Behaviours: Seeing the bigger picture (Level 4), Delivering at pace (Level 4), Making effective decisions (Level 4).

How to apply

Apply online providing a CV and a supporting statement of no more than 1500 words which demonstrates how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the success profile. Artificial intelligence tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples must be truthful and taken directly from your own experience. The application period closes on 7 December 2025 (23:59). This role is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only.

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.