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- 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 policies.
- 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 enrich lives across the nation.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership, communication skills, and experience in policy development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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 in Manchester employer: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Contact Detail:
Department for Culture, Media and Sport Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head in Manchester
✨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 goals, especially how they align with the DCMS objectives. Think about how your skills can help tackle their policy challenges and be ready to share specific examples of your past successes.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the role! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm shine through. Talk about why you’re excited about supporting the Secretary of State’s vision and how you can contribute to building a cohesive country.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, keep an eye out for any information sessions we host – they’re a great opportunity to learn more and ask questions directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know the Role: Before you start writing, take a moment to really understand what the Deputy Head role is all about. Dive into the job description and think about how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities and expectations outlined.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to the team. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your ability to lead teams, tackle policy challenges, and innovate solutions that resonate with the Secretary of State’s vision.
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Strong written communication is key for this role. Make sure your application is clear, concise, and engaging. Use a friendly tone that reflects your enthusiasm for the position and demonstrates your ability to connect with diverse stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to make your application stand out!
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 candidate but a potential partner in driving change.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams. Think about times when you've navigated ambiguity and delivered innovative solutions. This role is all about leadership, so make sure you demonstrate your ability to inspire and guide others.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves working with senior stakeholders, be ready to discuss how you've successfully built and maintained relationships in the past. Share specific instances where your communication skills made a difference in achieving policy objectives.
✨Be Ready to Challenge the Norm
The team is looking for someone who can think outside the box. Prepare to discuss how you've identified opportunities for improvement in previous roles and how you’ve confidently challenged existing processes to drive better outcomes.