Deputy Director – Digital, External Affairs and Visits
| Posting date: | 21 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £81,000 to £117,800 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 10 May 2026 |
| Location: | Birmingham |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 458234/2 |
Summary
DBT's Communications and Marketing function is undergoing a bold transformation to meet the demands of the modern media landscape and deliver on our ambitious growth mission. We're moving from traditional discipline-based communications to an integrated, outcome-focused model that positions communications as a critical delivery enabler, not just a service function.
Our integrated approach
Working through matrix teams, we bring together multidisciplinary communications and engagement professionals to deliver priority campaigns under one strategy aligned to the growth mission. Our approach is built on three pillars:
- Targeted behaviour change: Hyper-focused campaigns driving business uptake of export support, employment rights compliance, and service-led communications linking policy to practical business support
- Real stories: Case study-driven campaigns featuring businesses creating jobs and workers benefiting from new rights, with local ministerial visits showcasing investment wins and peer-to-peer business advocacy
- Progress and delivery moments: Strategic use of set-piece events and milestones to demonstrate momentum and build trust through demonstrated impact
Mission-led approach
- All our activities directly support the Government's Growth Mission. We translate complex economic policies into clear narratives for target audiences across all DBT communications and engagement channels. Our communication outcomes contribute to the overall mission milestone of "higher living standards in every part of the United Kingdom." We operate with SMART objectives, use insight to drive clear audience journeys from awareness to action, and measure impact through metrics aligned to the mission milestone.
- By joining DBT Communications and Marketing, you'll be part of a team that's redefining how government communicates about economic growth – working collaboratively across disciplines, using evidence and insight to drive impact, and demonstrating how government partnership with business is creating jobs, driving investment, and improving living standards across the UK.
Lead the transformation of digital communications, external partnerships, and visits delivery into a centre of excellence for storytelling and partnerships. You will revolutionise how we plan and execute ministerial visits to maximise visual storytelling opportunities, drive step-change improvements in digital engagement and influencer partnerships, while building impactful external relationships that amplify our communications reach and effectiveness.
You will be a full and active member of the Communications and Marketing Senior Leadership Team, sharing collective responsibility for the performance of the whole directorate, the success of our integrated campaign model, and the professional development of our people. You will also play a significant role in the department's wider strategy and growth leadership, working across DBT to ensure communications is embedded as a genuine delivery function - not an afterthought - in everything the department does to drive economic growth.
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute an integrated strategy for digital communications, external affairs, and visits that directly supports departmental objectives and the growth mission.
- Lead the creation of a centre of excellence for storytelling and partnerships, ensuring all activities are designed to generate compelling visual content and broadcast opportunities.
- Drive innovation in communications delivery, leveraging emerging platforms, technologies, and partnership models to maximise impact.
Digital Communications Excellence
- Transform our digital presence across all platforms, delivering significant growth in engagement, reach, and influence.
- Lead a step-change in influencer marketing and digital platform partnerships, building strategic relationships with key content creators and digital communities targeting our key audiences, working closely with press office.
- Oversee social media and digital strategy and execution, ensuring content drives behaviour change and supports policy objectives.
- Champion the use of data and insight to optimise digital performance and demonstrate return on investment.
External Affairs and Partnerships
- Build and maintain high-impact external relationships with key stakeholders, thought leaders, and organisations that amplify our communications reach.
- Develop strategic partnerships that enhance our storytelling capability and provide access to new audiences.
- Lead cross-government collaboration on shared communications priorities, working closely with Government Communication Service (GCS) discipline networks.
- Manage relationships with external agencies and suppliers to ensure value for money and quality delivery.
Visits Innovation
- Revolutionise visits planning and delivery to ensure every ministerial engagement maximises communications value through exceptional visual storytelling.
- Work closely with policy teams, international network, and Private Offices to integrate communications thinking into visits planning from conception.
- Working with press office and creative, develop new approaches to broadcast and media engagement during visits, creating compelling content opportunities.
- Working with marketing, consider our agency support.
Team Leadership and Development
- Lead, inspire, and develop a multi-disciplinary team across digital, external affairs, and visits functions.
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence, breaking down silos between disciplines.
- Build capability both in your team and across the Directorate in emerging areas including influencer marketing, digital content creation, and strategic partnership management.
- Ensure team development aligns with GCS professional standards and career frameworks.
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