Communications Manager
| Posting date: | 11 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 10 February 2026 |
| Location: | Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 1AU |
| Company: | Reed Talent Solutions |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | MaPS01069-354334 |
Summary
As Communications Manager you will lead our corporate press office and our consumer facing media activity, heading up a team of communications professionals. This is a key role in the team, working closely with brand, marketing, social media, editorial, stakeholder colleagues and more, to deliver excellent and impactful communications across channels and to different audiences. You will be an expert on our audiences and lead an insight-led function. In order to meet our ambitions, this role will build on strong foundations and be expected to take our communications to the next level in terms of volume, reach and impact.
Communications Manager
£63,000 per annum
Bedford
Permanent
Hybrid Working
Role Overview
As Communications Manager you will lead our corporate press office and our consumer facing media activity, heading up a team of communications professionals. This is a key role in the team, working closely with brand, marketing, social media, editorial, stakeholder colleagues and more, to deliver excellent and impactful communications across channels and to different audiences.
You will be an expert on our audiences and lead an insight-led function. In order to meet our ambitions, this role will build on strong foundations and be expected to take our communications to the next level in terms of volume, reach and impact.
Key Responsibilities:
You will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience:
Essential Criteria
Personal attributes
About Us
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK.
At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values – caring, connecting, and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other. We’re not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves with our values:
By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to “bring their whole selves to work.”
Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men’s health, ethnicity, and diversity.
What We Offer
Flexible Working
At MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work. As standard, we work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. Hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and our headquarters in Bedford will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
Career Development
In MaPS, we take career development seriously. We actively encourage and support applications from our existing MaPS colleagues. However, we do follow the Civil Service Commissioner recruitment principles, which means that you will be required to participate in a full, open, and fair process.
Reserve List
If you are successful at interview, we operate a reserve list where your details will be held for up to 6 months. Should a vacancy come available in that time with the same essential criteria, reserve list candidates will be offered that position with no further assessment required.
Application Process
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Money and Pensions Service via email: recruitment@maps.org.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.
Step 1: Submit Your Application
Open: 19/12/2025 | Deadline: 11/01/2026
To apply, please submit the following two documents:
Between 05/01/2026 – 13/01/2026
If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to a telephone interview with one of our recruiters. This is an opportunity to:
Hosted on 23/01/2026
Successful candidates from the telephone interview will be invited to attend an in person interview at the Bedford Office. This stage will include:
Job Reference: MaPS01070
Close Date: 11/01/2026
£63,000 per annum
Bedford
Permanent
Hybrid Working
Role Overview
As Communications Manager you will lead our corporate press office and our consumer facing media activity, heading up a team of communications professionals. This is a key role in the team, working closely with brand, marketing, social media, editorial, stakeholder colleagues and more, to deliver excellent and impactful communications across channels and to different audiences.
You will be an expert on our audiences and lead an insight-led function. In order to meet our ambitions, this role will build on strong foundations and be expected to take our communications to the next level in terms of volume, reach and impact.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage our media and consumer PR function, raising awareness of MoneyHelper brand and driving up customer demand for our guidance and services.
- Manage a responsive corporate press office, working closely with other teams to deal with reactive and proactive enquiries, and manage our reputation effectively.
- Develop and implement a multi-channel communications strategy to engage across all MaPS’ external audiences (B2B, B2C and B2B2C), and in support of our our flagship, government-backed programmes, including MoneyHelper Pensions Dashboard and Money Guiders, supporting the delivery of agreed business objectives and improved customer outcomes.
- Work with colleagues to ensure we have high quality multimedia content and an effective channel strategy to reach people most effectively. This should include developing our approach to working with influencers and high profile advocates.
- Build and manage relationships with journalists, commentators and outlets, across a range of consumer and trade media (digital, broadcast and written).
- Be an expert on our audiences, including advising and leading work on how we reach those most in need of financial guidance.
- Monitor, analyse, and report on engagement metrics to measure the effectiveness of campaigns and strategies. Use data-driven insights to optimise performance.
- Manage and mentor a team of communications professionals, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
You will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience:
Essential Criteria
- 6+ years’ experience within the communications field, with a particular focus on consumer media, press office management and/or digital communications
- Excellent communication written and verbal communication skills, with superb attention to detail
- Experience of developing, delivering and evaluating multi-channel communications strategies to reach target audiences
- Experience of successful news management, including generating positive publicity, profile raising and positioning at the heart of the national conversation
- Experience of working with outlets outside of “traditional news” channels, such as longer-lead interest magazines, commercial/day-time TV shows and drive-time radio programmes
- Experience of using media management and campaigns to launch or build engagement with a brand
- Excellent political judgement, with experience of effective reputation management in an organisation subject to public scrutiny
- Experience of providing effective and supportive line management, instilling a culture of continuous improvement
- Experience of briefing and media training C-suite executives for interviews
- Skilled in building and maintaining high-level networks and partnerships with media, broadcasters and other stakeholders
- A strong interest in improving financial wellbeing
- Leading communications in a consumer- or service user- facing organisation
- Experience of working in or with Government, regulator, arms’-length body (ALB), or a public agency in a communications and engagement capacity.
- Social media management
- Experience working with influencers and high-profile brand ambassadors to connect with hard to reach audiences
Personal attributes
- Strong customer focus with commitment to high standards of quality and performance; attention to detail
- Thrives leading, influencing and motivating multi-disciplined project teams consisting of specialists across the business, managing and juggling multiple projects and managing multi-layer stakeholder relationships
- Deeply collaborative and able to work with people at all levels and across functions to deliver great work.
- Hard-working, autonomous and results driven leader.
- Good team leader and member, with the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Ability to persuade and influence at a senior level with gravitas and bring together and influence a team of people from different disciplines.
- Excellent verbal and written communications.
About Us
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK.
At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values – caring, connecting, and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other. We’re not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves with our values:
- Caring
We care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform. - Connecting
We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections. - Transforming
We are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.
By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to “bring their whole selves to work.”
Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men’s health, ethnicity, and diversity.
What We Offer
- Generous Annual Leave – 30 days plus Bank Holidays
- Pension scheme – contributions matched 2 to 1 (up to 10% of your salary)
- Interest-free loan for season tickets for buses and trains
- Cycle to work Scheme
- Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs
- Life assurance scheme
- Give as you earn scheme
- Employee assistance programme (EAP)
- PAM Assist and PAM Life scheme (Wellbeing)
- Enhanced family and sick pay
- Paid volunteering (2 days a year)
- Recognition Scheme
- Discounts portal to numerous retailers
Flexible Working
At MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work. As standard, we work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. Hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and our headquarters in Bedford will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
Career Development
In MaPS, we take career development seriously. We actively encourage and support applications from our existing MaPS colleagues. However, we do follow the Civil Service Commissioner recruitment principles, which means that you will be required to participate in a full, open, and fair process.
Reserve List
If you are successful at interview, we operate a reserve list where your details will be held for up to 6 months. Should a vacancy come available in that time with the same essential criteria, reserve list candidates will be offered that position with no further assessment required.
Application Process
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Money and Pensions Service via email: recruitment@maps.org.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.
Step 1: Submit Your Application
Open: 19/12/2025 | Deadline: 11/01/2026
To apply, please submit the following two documents:
- Your most up-to-date CV
- A cover letter explaining your motivations for applying and how you meet the essential and desirable criteria
Between 05/01/2026 – 13/01/2026
If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to a telephone interview with one of our recruiters. This is an opportunity to:
- Discuss your experience in more detail
- Learn more about the role and our organisation
- Ask any questions you may have
Hosted on 23/01/2026
Successful candidates from the telephone interview will be invited to attend an in person interview at the Bedford Office. This stage will include:
- A task and a presentation
- A series of competency-based interview questions
Job Reference: MaPS01070
Close Date: 11/01/2026