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Deputy Head of News

Job details
Posting date: 10 June 2025
Salary: £81,904 to £83,973 per year
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 23 June 2025
Location: London
Company: Government Recruitment Service
Job type: Permanent
Job reference: 406117/1

Summary

The Department for Work and Pensions is at the heart of the Government’s growth and opportunity agenda and so is rarely out of the headlines.

We are offering an exciting opportunity to lead our busy press operation as Deputy Head of News. This is a role that requires a razor-sharp news sense and understanding, exceptional influencing skills, leadership of a team and the credibility to counsel a wide range of parties, from Ministers to the most senior operational executives. The ideal candidate will have the ability to navigate Whitehall and media, as well as playing a key role in the Government Communications Service, providing leadership to the Press team, and have a strong track record in delivery.

Responsibilities will be:

  • Ensure that ministers are supported and have media strategies across a range of channels which reflect the government's Plan for Change, Mission delivery and departmental priorities.
  • Provide media handling advice to ministers, senior officials, and special advisers on departmental announcements, journalist queries and emerging issues. Leading on crisis communications, managing breaking news stories and co-ordinating multi-departmental responses.
  • Work with colleagues across the directorate to ensure that communication opportunities are maximised, reputational risk is managed, creativity and innovation are harnessed and that audience focussed communications are at the heart of delivery.
  • Manage and lead the specialist news desks who ensure the departments policies and position is accurately represented in the media.
  • Be a trusted advisor and provide robust media handling advice to ministers and senior leaders ensuring there is a long-term media strategy aligned to strategic communication plans which manage risk and promote the work of DWP accurately.
  • Be a visible, proactive and supportive leader who takes responsibility for standards of work and the development of their team. Also taking part in the back up rota to support those on duty.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, commentators, and stakeholders across government departments and external organisations.

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