At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic digital communications team, translating complex policies into engaging content.
- Company: Join HM Treasury, a key player in government communications.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public communication and work with senior officials.
- Qualifications: Experience in digital communications and team leadership is essential.
The predicted salary is between 57670 - 64500 £ per year.
Salary: National: £57,670 - £64,500. If the successful candidate is a current Civil Servant joining on level transfer, HM Treasury will honour their current substantive salary if higher.
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: This post is available on a full time, part time or job share basis, and flexible working hours can be accommodated.
Location: Darlington (Feethams House)
Are you passionate about digital communications? This is a pivotal leadership role within one of government’s highest-profile digital teams. Working closely with senior Cabinet Ministers, you will bring major announcements to life for the public—translating complex policy into clear, accurate and engaging content.
About the Team: The Ministerial and Communications Group sits at the heart of the Treasury. If you are interested in the inner workings of the Government, meeting Ministers, Senior Officials and liaising with the Press then this could be the place for you! We are a friendly and inclusive Group working on some of the most exciting issues of the day, bringing together work from across the rest of the department and engaging closely with partners across Whitehall and beyond. We provide support to Ministers, through Ministerial offices. We act as Treasury's external face, through the Press Office and Communications team. We are responsible for managing the department, through our support for the Permanent Secretary, the Second Permanent Secretaries, the Treasury Board, and the Executive Management Board (EMB), and our ownership of Treasury governance structures. The Group is led by the Permanent Secretary.
About the Job: The Deputy Head of Digital Communications will provide operational leadership for HM Treasury's multi-disciplinary digital team, managing five Senior Executive Officers and their teams. This is a pivotal leadership role in one of government's highest-profile digital teams. You will oversee day-to-day operations, providing first‑line quality control with excellent attention to detail and political instincts. You will be a natural collaborator, working closely with colleagues across media, strategy, events and policy teams. You will foster a collaborative culture within the team and beyond, building bridges and breaking down silos. You will deputise for the Head of Digital Communications when required and lead performance management and talent development. With broad expertise across digital disciplines – not just one specialism – you will be passionate about digital communications and ideally have practical content‑creation skills to support the team hands‑on when needed.
Responsibilities:
- Lead and develop five Senior Executive Officers and their teams across digital partnerships, content production, social media and GOV.UK publishing.
- Manage resource allocation, workflow coordination and capacity planning across competing priorities.
- Work collaboratively with media, strategy, events and policy teams to integrate digital into wider communications planning.
- Provide first‑line quality control and clearance, ensuring high standards and compliance with Civil Service Code.
- Apply political instincts and attention to detail to spot risks and opportunities in content before publication.
- Lead performance management, setting objectives and providing regular feedback.
- Create a culture of excellence, innovation and collaboration, identifying development opportunities and supporting career progression.
- Build strong relationships with Private Offices, special advisers, policy officials and press teams.
- Deputise for the Head of Digital Communications with senior stakeholders when required.
- Manage relationships with external suppliers, agencies and partners.
- Support delivery of major campaigns and fiscal events, taking operational ownership of planning and coordination.
- Stay ahead of digital trends and bring fresh ideas to the team.
Person specification and essential criteria:
- Significant experience leading digital communications in a high‑profile, fast‑moving environment, with responsibility for coordinating delivery across multiple channels and priorities.
- You are confident leading and developing teams through others, setting clear expectations, managing performance and building capability across a range of digital disciplines.
- Strong judgment and attention to detail and can provide effective quality control and clearance in politically sensitive or reputationally important situations.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders and partner teams, and can influence decisions while balancing strategic goals, delivery pressures and governance requirements.
- Bring broad digital communications expertise and are comfortable being hands‑on when needed, ideally with practical content‑creation skills as well as the ability to spot opportunities for innovation and improvement.
Desirable criteria:
- Practical content‑creation skills, for example drafting or editing copy, overseeing asset production, or shaping content directly when needed.
- Experience managing high‑profile or sensitive communications where accuracy, judgment and reputational risk are critical.
About You: We are looking for your experience in leading the operational delivery of a high‑profile comms package across digital channels, including coordination, governance/clearance, and measurable impact. We want you to demonstrate how you have led a team or function through others and how you have influenced senior stakeholders to agree an approach in a sensitive or contested situation, using evidence and clear trade‑offs. We would also be looking for you to show time‑critical decisions you have made under uncertainty and risk (accuracy, propriety, reputational impact), the options you weighed, and the outcome.
Some of the Benefits our people love!
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant).
- Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month.
- Flexible working patterns (part‑time, job‑share, condensed hours).
- Generous parental and adoption leave packages.
- Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28%.
- Access to a cycle‑to‑work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances.
- A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity.
Deputy Head of Digital Communications employer: HM TREASURY
HM Treasury is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in Darlington, where you can engage directly with senior Cabinet Ministers and contribute to high-profile digital communications. With flexible working arrangements, generous leave policies, and a strong focus on employee development, you will have the opportunity to grow your career while making a meaningful impact on government communications. Join a collaborative team that values innovation and excellence, and be part of shaping the future of public engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head of Digital Communications
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We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head of Digital Communications
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for HM TREASURY and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at HM TREASURY
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with HM TREASURY, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for HM TREASURY.
