At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engagement and communications for the £500 million Better Futures Fund, tackling child poverty.
- Company: Join a dynamic team within the Civil Society and Youth directorate focused on impactful change.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape a major government programme and significant career progression.
- Other info: Collaborative and inclusive environment that values diversity and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities while working with senior stakeholders and government leaders.
- Qualifications: Strong stakeholder management, communication skills, and ability to deliver results under pressure.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
The role we are recruiting for sits within the Impact Economy Team in the Civil Society and Youth directorate. The team has a responsibility for mobilising innovative sources of philanthropic and private capital alongside government spending. This has primarily been in support of encouraging a financially sustainable Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector. The team is driven by a commitment to improving outcomes for communities, increasing the impact of the sector through innovation and championing what works, improving civil society access to funding, and unlocking and growing non-government sources of finance. It is home to a diverse set of innovative and dynamic policy areas seeking to tackle some of society's toughest challenges. We are firmly committed to our people, and this is reflected in our values. We work hard to build an environment that is diverse and inclusive, as well as warm, friendly and collaborative; where each member of staff can flourish, feel comfortable being themselves at work, develop their skills and move their career forward.
This is an exciting and stretching role, offering a unique opportunity to lead the engagement and communications strategy for the landmark £500 million Better Futures Fund (BFF). Over the next decade, this flagship initiative aims to leverage up to £1bn in total funding to tackle the root causes of child poverty across England, improving life chances for up to 200,000 children and families through innovative Social Outcomes Partnerships. Due to its scale, the programme holds significant visibility across Whitehall and generates wide external interest. This role suits a collaborative and innovative individual who is keen to work on a new complex programme that is not the usual way government does business.
As the Engagement and Communications Lead, you will own the cross-government narrative and external communications strategy, working alongside our core policy and delivery teams. This will involve working with internal DCMS teams on government comms moments and identifying external opportunities to promote the programme. You will coordinate all briefings and commissions relating to BFF and lead on all ministerial and parliamentary engagement. You will also be responsible for supporting cross-government engagement, managing key stakeholder relationships and co-ordinating inputs to support the design and delivery of funding rounds. You will manage one Senior Policy Advisor (SEO) to support the delivery of these objectives. The successful candidate will also need to be flexible to evolving needs of the programme as it transitions through the project life cycle and be willing to adapt roles and responsibilities as required. Success in this post means establishing trusted relationships with Ministers, departments and senior stakeholders and translating complex policy milestones into clear briefings and compelling comms moments. This position provides significant exposure to senior HMG leadership and the opportunity to shape a major government programme from its early stages, making it an excellent platform for career progression within the civil service.
The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience, please note that desirable skills will only be considered in the event of tied candidates.
- Essential requirements:
- Stakeholder management skills - confident working with and leading relationships with senior stakeholders. Proven ability to build trust and credibility.
- Effective working together behaviours - able to collaborate with and motivate a range of colleagues and bring internal and external stakeholders along with you.
- High quality written and oral communication - ability to succinctly explain complex issues to a diverse range of audiences, and develop briefs and arguments at pace.
- Delivering at pace - taking responsibility for delivering high-quality, timely results, even when facing pressure or changing priorities. Able to work well under own initiative, tracking and completing tasks with limited supervision.
- Seeing the Big Picture - ability to connect issues to wider strategic context and describe how it all fits together.
- Desirable skills:
- Experience working directly with Ministers and/or senior political or government leaders.
- Experience of working in a policy environment and/or grant delivery.
- Knowledge of impact capital and/or Social Outcome Partnerships.
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Communicating and Influencing.
Head of Engagement and Communications, Better Futures Fund in Manchester employer: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is an exceptional employer that values creativity and innovation, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on the UK's cultural landscape. With a strong focus on employee development and collaboration, you'll have opportunities to grow your skills while working alongside passionate professionals in the heart of the creative industries. Enjoy a supportive culture that encourages diversity and fosters important relationships within the office, making it a rewarding place to advance your career.
Contact Details:
Department for Culture, Media and Sport Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engagement and Communications, Better Futures Fund in Manchester
✨Get Involved Locally
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engagement and Communications, Better Futures Fund in Manchester
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Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Engagement and Communications, Better Futures Fund, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Culture, Media and Sport
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
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