The Deputy Head of News will be charged with driving the Department’s news response, ensuring we are delivering insight-driven communications plans and take a strategic approach to planning, capability building and news output.
Job summary
The Home Office communications team is one of the busiest in Whitehall dealing with some of the most important, complex and high-profile issues facing the UK.
The Home Office is rarely out of the news and our team is a 24/7 operation - our newsdesk takes more than 12,000 calls a year, we produce a range of proactive media products every day, support Ministers, senior leaders and operational teams carry out media engagement and navigate communication risks.
We are creating a new post of Deputy Head of News, who will be charged with driving the Department’s news response, ensuring we are delivering insight-driven communications plans and take a strategic approach to planning, capability building and news output.
The position is a key leadership role within our high-performing, fast-paced Communications Directorate. The successful candidate will work alongside a multi-disciplinary team to deliver the core campaign priorities of the Home Office’s communications strategy, and ensure we can react to events with agility and authority.
This is an exciting opportunity to not only work on one of the most demanding briefs in public sector communications but deliver on the Home Office objectives to keep its citizens safe and maintain the security and economic prosperity of the UK.
You will work in tandem with the Head of News to improve the news offering and operations of the communications team. As well as delivering media campaigns and moments, we want a candidate who is constantly looking to the future to ensure the team have the right capabilities, we are utilising the correct technology, and we are performing.
We are looking for a highly motivated, confident communications professional with a proven track record of working in and leading multidisciplinary communications teams delivering measurable attitudinal and behaviour change. You will be able to demonstrate particular expertise in media relations covering online, print and broadcast.
Due to the nature of the work, this role is only available on a full-time basis.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estates capacity. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).
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