Deputy Director, Strategic Engagement

Join to apply for the Deputy Director, Strategic Engagement role at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Location: This role will be based in London only.

Working Arrangements: This is a full‑time role. Flexible working arrangements or job sharing will be considered, subject to business need.

Job Summary

Are you ready to shape the story of the UK Government? We’re looking for an impactful, innovative and visionary leader of the Strategic Engagement teams within the Communications Directorate at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

We are looking for someone with a consistent track record in delivering world‑class communications to engage audiences, build trust, change behaviour and deliver outcomes. The successful applicant will have an expectation of professional excellence, take pride in pioneering and will be experienced in bringing people together and breaking down boundaries.

You will lead our communications strategy and planning across the breadth of its portfolio, for both external and internal communications. As part of the Senior Management Team, you will be responsible for four teams; Strategic Comms, External Affairs, Internal Comms and Campaigns.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in promoting and supporting the DSIT agenda – prioritising pro‑tech/pro‑innovation messages and new impactful campaigns. As a young and evolving Department, it will be critical that the postholder supports the establishment of DSIT’s culture and internal brand and reputation.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading relationships with DGs and Ministers in relation to our strategic priorities and the longer‑term narrative the department wants to tell.
• Oversight of communications planning and priorities across the Departmental brief and ensuring join up with other departments in support of DSIT, cross‑Whitehall and No10 objectives, as well as the government’s Missions.
• Working with partners, colleagues and stakeholders across DSIT and Whitehall to provide strategic oversight of horizon scanning and ensuring effective departmental comms planning.
• Overseeing the data, research and evaluation programme and ensuring all insight is useful and well used within communications.
• Working closely with HR and Ministers, develop and lead a strategic internal communications strategy that is closely linked to our priorities and delivers strong engagement across the organisation.
• Helping to create and deliver the DSIT Communications Plan.
• Managing the Directorate’s campaign budgets, meeting efficiency targets, and overseeing business planning and programme management for their teams.
• Providing active and visible leadership to your team and the wider Directorate, taking into account hybrid and multi‑site working, embodying the DSIT values and behaviours, and building on the diversity, talent and skills of team members.
• Contributing to the leadership of the GCS Profession, ensuring that professionals across disciplines are supported to move into the mission‑led future of Communications.

Key Stakeholders

• The Secretary of State, Ministers and their advisers – you will work closely with Ministers, advising on long‑term strategies, as well as day‑to‑day communications handling.
• The Permanent Secretary and DSIT Executive Committee – you will work closely with the Permanent Secretary, Emran Mian, on external and internal communications in support of the Department’s agenda. You will also work with Directors Generals on the Executive Committee, who lead policy and corporate portfolios, to help shape their communications plans and activities and ensure coherence with Department’s business and communications objectives.
• Partners – you will build effective relationships with a wide range of partners and key stakeholders, in particular with the major Partner Organisations (regulators, executive agencies and delivery bodies across energy, science, research, competition, labour and consumer markets) who implement much of the department’s policy on the ground.

Person Specification

• Demonstrable experience of using a strategic approach to developing integrated Communications delivery, in a high‑profile and fast‑moving environment.
• A strong vision for what government strategic communication should look like now and in the future, and the capabilities, tools and expertise required to deliver them.
• An ability to work with partners and colleagues from a wide network to provide strategic oversight, horizon scanning and effective join‑up of communications planning and delivery.
• A consistent track record in delivering world‑class communications to engage audiences, build trust, change behaviour and deliver outcomes.
• Experience of working at a senior level as part of a management team to set and achieve joint goals on strategy, finance and developing the organisation.
• Proven track record of extensive working with ministers/C‑suite, or similar senior stakeholders. Able to build excellent relationships and give robust advice whilst bringing a proactive and collaborative approach – you should be as comfortable talking to the Secretary of State as to apprentices.
• An inspiring, confident and empowering leader who comfortable leading a large, multidisciplinary team; able to provide visible, strong leadership that can motivate, engage and get the best out of people.
• A demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development and willingness to contribute to the leadership of the Comms Directorate and Government Communications Profession as a whole. Taking pride in pioneering new approaches with experience in bringing people together and breaking down boundaries.

Application Process

To apply for this post please follow the online application process via the CS Jobs website which includes completing the following documents no later than 23:55, Sunday 26th October 2025.

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

2. A Statement of Suitability (no more than 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.

Applications will be sifted on CV and statement of suitability.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only has limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity‑related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select ‘prefer not to say’. The information you provide when submitting your application will help us monitor our progress towards the Civil Service becoming the most inclusive employer.