Deputy Director Strategic Communications & Internal Communications
| Posting date: | 04 July 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £75,000 per year |
| Additional salary information: | For existing Civil Servants, internal candidates the usual pay rules should apply, i.e. if moving on level transfer the salary will remain the same, if successful on promotion the salary will be the higher of either 10% pay increase or the pay band minimu |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 16 July 2024 |
| Location: | London |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 359954/3 |
Summary
DfT and our agencies employ around 15,000 staff, of whom about 3800 are in the core Department, and we have the largest and most complex capital project portfolio in Government, delivered principally through delivery partners including Network Rail, HS2 Ltd and National Highways.
We are broadening our presence around the country and are growing new locations in Leeds and Birmingham.
More information about DfT can be found on our website here
Departmental Vision
All DfT employees are guided by the Civil Service core values of honesty, integrity, impartiality and objectivity.
Everything we do to achieve this is reinforced by our values.
- Confidence: to challenge, to take action, to innovate.
- Excellence: in our professionalism, in our delivery, in our learning.
- Teamwork: we are inclusive, we collaborate and we support each other.
You will be responsible for a wide range of communications activity that supports Departmental delivery and the Government’s agenda.
As Head of strategic communications, yours will be a key role in setting direction, guiding the implementation of activity (alongside other disciplines), ensuring measurable outcomes are achieved and telling the government’s transport story effectively.
You will provide support, advice and challenge to senior leaders and you will influence and inform stakeholders inside and outside of Government.
You will have experience and a proven track record in delivering high profile communications strategies. You will be able to lead highly effective strategic and internal communications activity, leading with energy and enthusiasm.
As lead for Internal Communications, you will have a significant leadership role in facilitating ways to inspire and engage colleagues to build a brilliant, high-performing organisation and work collaboratively with the senior leadership team to achieve this.
You will provide support, direction and development of your team and champion innovation and creativity.
The Communications Directorate comprises around 80 communications staff.
You will report to Wendy Fielder as Director of Communications and be part of the Directorate’s senior team.
You will also play a key role in the broader leadership and development of the organisation.
Across the Group you will be a senior leader and work with the Department’s network of agencies and other bodies to help coordinate communications and plan and prepare in case of shared crisis.
You will be part of the leadership of the Government Communication Service (GCS) with access to its training and tools.
Responsibilities of the role
- Setting strategic direction
Strategic thinking is at the heart of good communications. You will deliver the priorities of the Government by understanding the most effective ways to influence within the resources that we have, making deliberate choices to provide the most effective outcomes for the public benefit. You will consider the big picture, including the social and political context, being flexible and responsive to a rapidly changing world and understanding the changing needs of our audiences. You will spot and manage reputational risks, display judgement and political acumen, articulate a clear plan of action, foster innovation and provide calm and authoritative leadership for your team.
- Deploying campaign communication
In collaboration with the Head of Creative Hub, you will align communication delivery to using media and marketing strategy, internal communication and stakeholder engagement to inform the public, create understanding and change behaviour for the public good in support of policy and service goals.
- Trusted advisor fostering collaboration and influence
As a senior communications adviser at DfT you will lead your team in providing expert communications advice to senior leaders. You are expected to build effective relationships in and outside the department with policy and operations counterparts in the Civil Service, and with political colleagues.
- Understanding context
You understand the political and cultural operating context inside and outside the Civil Service to help inform your advice and lead your teams. This includes the environment and the sector in which the Department for Transport operates.
- Building capability
You will role model continuous professional development and make sure your teams have the capability and skills they need to deliver. As a leader within GCS you will play an active role in raising professional standards and improving efficiency more broadly. You will work alongside senior leaders in the directorate to foster best practice.
- Leading beyond the function
As a senior leader within the Department you will play your part in leading the organisation, including taking on corporate roles and projects which support the GCS and Civil Service’s corporate agenda. You will work to improve diversity and inclusion in your Department and across the profession and create an environment where everyone can flourish.