At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to generate innovative policy ideas and tackle complex challenges.
- Company: Join the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and make a real impact.
- Benefits: Opportunity for career growth, collaboration with experts, and influence on national policy.
- Other info: Attend an info session on 17th March 2026 to learn more about this exciting role.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of shaping policies that support growth and empower communities.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership, communication skills, and experience in policy development.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
The Policy Unit is a relatively new team, set up to directly support the Secretary of State by identifying and incubating new ideas to help deliver her vision to support growth and good jobs across the nation, enable richer lives with choices and opportunities for all, and build a more cohesive country where people are in charge of their own destinies. It works across the full range of DCMS policy, working closely with external experts and internal policy teams to consider ways to do things differently, and work closely with Special Advisers and Private Office to ensure its work is delivering for the Secretary of State. The team is outward facing, building a network of people with experience of delivery in communities across the country. It will also work collaboratively with external organisations to help tackle policy challenges and co-design solutions.
We are looking for a Deputy Head to lead a small, agile team which has been set up to support the DCMS Secretary of State to support her priorities, and to come up with new and innovative solutions to problems. This is an exciting opportunity to work in senior leadership at the heart of DCMS. The post holder will lead teams working on a variety of high-profile projects, and will be expected to flex between incubating short term policy ideas, providing a challenge function to existing policy work, and driving forward specific Secretary of State priorities.
Responsibilities are likely to include leading teams to deliver:
- Short term idea generation: rapidly developing and incubating new ideas, including from the Secretary of State and external stakeholders.
- Medium term policy projects: starting from first principles to develop new policy proposals, including cross-cutting issues, and areas where additional capacity is required.
- Providing a challenge function to upcoming policy announcements, to ensure alignment with the Secretary of State’s ambition.
The ideal candidate would have the following skills and experience:
- Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams to develop options to tricky policy problems; often working in ambiguous environments to realise the Secretary of State’s ambitions.
- Recognition of where new ideas can help improve delivery, confidence to challenge the way things have always been done.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills which allow you to communicate with others in a clear, honest, and enthusiastic way.
- Experience building relationships with senior stakeholders.
- Ability to ensure the team’s activity reflects wider strategic priorities; bringing together views, perspectives and diverse needs of stakeholders.
- Understanding of Department for Culture, Media and Sport objectives and priorities.
- Experience of working with Ministers.
We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Christine Mosedale and will take place on: 17th March 2026 at 11am. The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions. Please register your interest by filling out this Registration form by Friday 13 March 2026 and you will be sent an invitation. Invites will only be sent after this deadline has passed. Please note that the session will not be recorded and will not focus on the DCMS recruitment process - please direct any queries that you have on this topic (timelines, reasonable adjustments, onboarding etc) to recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk.
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process.
Deputy Head employer: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
As a Deputy Head within the Policy Unit at DCMS, you will be part of a dynamic and innovative team dedicated to shaping policies that support growth and enhance opportunities for all. Our collaborative work culture encourages creativity and the sharing of ideas, while offering robust professional development opportunities to help you thrive in your career. Located at the heart of government, this role provides a unique chance to influence national policy and make a meaningful impact on communities across the country.
Contact Details:
Department for Culture, Media and Sport Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation and its current projects, especially anything related to the DCMS. Think about how your skills can help tackle their policy challenges and be ready to share your ideas on innovative solutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for the role and the mission of the department shine through. They want to see that you’re not just looking for any job, but that you genuinely care about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and contributing to the exciting work at DCMS.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about supporting the Secretary of State's vision and making a real difference in people's lives.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We’re looking for candidates who can lead teams and tackle tricky policy problems, so be specific about how you've done this in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:Strong written communication is key for this role. Keep your application clear and to the point, using straightforward language that showcases your ideas without unnecessary fluff. We appreciate honesty and clarity!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Culture, Media and Sport
✨Know Your Policy Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest DCMS policies and initiatives. Understanding the Secretary of State's vision will help you align your ideas with their goals, showing that you're not just a good fit for the role but also genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led multi-disciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your ability to navigate ambiguity and drive innovative solutions, as this is crucial for the Deputy Head role. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your experience in building relationships with senior stakeholders. Think of instances where you've collaborated with external organisations or tackled policy challenges. This will show that you can effectively engage with diverse perspectives and bring people together.
✨Communicate Clearly and Enthusiastically
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for this role, so be prepared to showcase your ability to convey complex ideas in an engaging way. Remember, enthusiasm can be contagious!
