Deputy Director, Head of Media

You will be required to attend the London office on a regular basis, and some travel to other locations across the UK.

DHSC has a hybrid way of working. You will be expected to attend the office for more than 60% of your working time Subject to the capacity of individual buildings, there is no upper limit on the number of days of attending offices and this should be driven by business need.

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Job summary

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) supports ministers in leading the nation's health and social care to help people live more independent, healthier lives for longer. Our work supports major government commitments and attracts significant public interest.

Our award-winning communications is now looking for an exceptional Deputy Director, Head of Media Relations, with experience of working in a complex environment that is subject to significant public, political and media scrutiny. You will lead a team of communications professionals in promoting DHSC's policies and priorities. We are looking for an experienced communicator who will bring energy, experience and dynamism to the role.

You will oversee management of a 24-hour media service managing risk and reputation, delivering real time rebuttal as well as creative, original proactive media moments. You will understand the importance of choosing the right channel and tactics in delivering messages and ensure your team engages with, and builds support from, partners across the health and social care sector, charities, science and business to support communication objectives, in addition to working closely with ministers, government stakeholders and the media.

As part of the Senior Management Team you are responsible for designing and delivering effective multi-channel communications campaigns that are based on insight and help deliver organisational objectives. You will also play a part in working with the Director of Communications and head of profession in driving performance and delivery across the directorate.

We offer a competitive package, excellent development opportunities, a supportive team and the chance to communicate on some of today's most important issues.

Experience in health or social care is not essential, but you will need a strong record of communications leadership in high-profile areas and the ability to handle complex stakeholder issues at pace. If you are excited by the opportunity and ready for the challenge, we want to hear from you.

Key responsibilities

As Deputy Director, Head of Media Relations your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead teams to deliver innovative communications strategies for the Secretary of State and ministers, aligned with government priorities and using new media.
• Advise ministers and senior policy officials as policy develops, using audience insight to identify reputational risks and ensure coherent communications plans for government and Secretary of State priorities.
• Build teams that identify emerging online conversations, respond quickly to risks and use trends to reach new audiences with government messages.
• Maintain a strong approach to reactive communications and rebuttal, correcting inaccuracies through clear messaging, proactive media, partner briefings and owned digital channels.
• Support the Director of Communications by advising the Secretary of State, ministers and officials.
• Build a network of communicators across government, arm's-length bodies, partner organisations and local authorities to support collaboration and rapid responses.
• Manage resources effectively to deliver excellent reactive, proactive and crisis communications.

Person specification

It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

The role requires someone with the full range of modern communications skills - the ability to use insight and evaluation to drive campaigns, experience of fully integrating digital into proactive and reactive work and an understanding of the current media landscape.

However, even more critical to your success in this role will be your outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills, your ability to lead and fully integrate teams across the communications spectrum and to prioritise and resolve issues.

It is essential in your application you provide evidence and proven examples in each of the following selection criteria below. Your responses will be developed and discussed if you are invited for interview.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Demonstrable success in developing and implementing compelling communications strategies in a complex organisation to enable and drive organisational objectives and priorities.
• Using recognised insight and evaluation techniques to shape communications and provide measurable results.
• A proven track record of providing clear, balanced advice and professional leadership to senior leaders on a wide range of strategic, operational, sensitive and complex communications issues.
• A proven track record of leading a busy media relations team and building relationships with journalists to inform coverage.
• A record of successfully developing high-performing teams, leading, managing and motivating others, especially during periods of change, and a record of driving continuous improvement within the communications function.
• An understanding of your role as part of the GCS leadership.

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