Head of Creative (New Media Unit)

This range is provided by Cabinet Office. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

If successful for this role you will be based in London, York or Glasgow. Some UK travel may be required for this role.

The New Media Unit (NMU) is part of the Government Communication Service (GCS) and sits within the Cabinet Office. The NMU was established in November 2024 with the clear goal to reach, connect and rebuild trust with audiences in the most effective way possible. Our aim is to provide the public with relevant, useful and authentic content when and where they want to receive it and communicate in an entirely new way.

The government has signalled a clear intention to focus on ambitious, measurable, long-term objectives that deliver better outcomes for citizens. This requires a new way of doing government which is more joined-up and better reaches the public to build awareness, understanding and trust in the government's missions. The New Media Unit is a critical lever in achieving these long-term aims, bringing together the specialist skills required to reach citizens with content they want to consume at a time and place they want to consume it.

The team is evolving, and works in an agile way proactively delivering on missions-based campaigns and responding to nation-wide communications. We need people who think differently and who can respond quickly to the ever-changing media landscape. At its core this team is focused on flexibility and collaboration across the three pillars (Strategy, Campaign and Creative), working closely with the GCS Strategy & Campaigns and Applied Data & Insight teams, alongside No 10 and departmental communication teams across government.

This is a really exciting time to be joining the NMU as we look to expand our activity, test and learn different approaches and deliver communications which make a difference to people's lives. This is a rare chance to be part of something truly ground-breaking, where your ideas will directly influence the future of digital communications at the heart of government.

What we're looking for

We need outstanding leaders in strategy, marketing and partnerships, creative, design and content production, who have a high level of digital expertise and will put audiences at the heart of everything they do. We're seeking innovative and creative senior leaders to help craft our evolving vision. This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the biggest transformation projects in government communications, to help the government reconnect with citizens in digital channels. Most importantly, we want people who care passionately about delivering outstanding communication for the public.

We value colleagues who embrace change, think outside the box, and thrive in a dynamic environment where responsibilities evolve with our ambitions. We welcome applications from the widest range of people of different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. If you're passionate about making your mark and flourishing in an atmosphere that champions fresh thinking and adaptability, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities:

• The Head of Creative brings big, bold, creative ideas to the table to solve problems and overcome barriers for our audiences, thereby helping us to achieve our communications objectives.
• You will be responsible for leading the development and articulation of a clear, compelling and exciting creative vision for digital campaigns and defining the overall aesthetic and brand identity.
• Leading digital creative strategy, routes and concepts to deliver outstanding content of the highest standards which meet and exceed our team objectives and KPIs.
• Establishing a creative environment that encourages innovation, idea generation and continuous improvement; nurturing and developing the team, and making the New Media Unit one of the most exciting places to work creatively.
• Leading the presentation of creative concepts and pitches to senior clients in a persuasive and compelling way; proactively and confidently addressing client feedback to ensure creative deliverables align with their needs.
• Inspiring and developing a high-performing team of collaborative, open and creative strategic thinkers; providing outstanding mentoring across the creative teams, including designers, copywriters, and art directors.
• Deputising for the Head of the New Media Unit in representing NMU at the most senior levels both inside and outside of government.

Person specification

It is important that, through your CV and supporting statement, that you provide evidence of the professional skills, breadth of experience and personal qualities for this post. Write a personal statement which covers your key achievements and how you meet the essential criteria for the role. Please make particular reference to your skills in delivering outstanding, innovative and creative storytelling.

• Proven to deliver outstanding, innovative creative story-telling and territories that connect with target audiences and which have delivered long term narrative behind products or brands.
• Demonstrable senior leadership of digital creative strategy for high-profile campaigns and projects, with clear evidence of exceeding business or organisational outcomes.
• Extensive experience pitching digital campaign propositions, concepts and ideas effectively to senior stakeholders in order to influence and persuade, with solid and in-depth understanding of digital design, copy principles and best practice.
• Proven ability to navigate the tension between big creative ideas and client/stakeholder requirements.
• Excellent leadership, with ability to inspire and motivate digital/creative teams to achieve creative excellence, capable of achieving the cut-through and comprehension required to engage and galvanise online audiences into action.
• Expert level knowledge of social and digital content trends and how they can influence and augment successful campaigns.
• Extensive experience of successfully leading and developing high-performing teams, with a track record of creating a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement in the quality of communications.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, seen as a trusted advisor and able to influence stakeholders both internally and externally at all levels. Demonstration of these skills having been developed with C-suite level stakeholders, or equivalent.

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Art/Creative

Industries: Government Administration