At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic news team, manage media relations, and strategise impactful communications.
- Company: Join the Scottish Government, shaping public policy and communication.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pay, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public communication and engage with current affairs.
- Qualifications: Experience in PR or journalism, strong leadership, and political awareness required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
News teams are on the frontline of the Scottish Government's external communications. Aligned to Cabinet portfolios, they work with Ministers, special advisers, policy officials and colleagues across other communications disciplines. News teams promote and explain policies and ministerial decisions to the public via news media and social media channels and by working with external partners.
Successful candidates are likely to come from a PR or journalism background and will have a strong interest in, and knowledge of, politics and current affairs. Organised and able to work in a fast-paced and often pressurised environment, they will have strong news judgement and be creative in using different methods to reach diverse audiences.
You will have experience of working strategically at a senior level, leading and managing people to balance workloads and deliver priority work effectively, on time and to a high standard. This is a permanent posting as a News Team Leader in the Communications Division, based in Edinburgh but working flexibly.
Responsibilities
- Leading and managing a team – supporting all team members to thrive by setting clear direction, ensuring meaningful, challenging and rewarding work, and promoting continuous improvement.
- Strategic planning – working with Ministers, policy colleagues and special advisers to maintain a sharp focus on Programme for Government priorities, providing strategic advice, identifying risks and opportunities and overseeing cross-portfolio communications planning.
- Media and news management – work with journalists and key influencers, with the ability to spot potential problems or opportunities and react quickly, ensuring Ministers and officials receive timely and professional advice.
- Social media management – ensure the team is working to a dynamic and creative social media content strategy that takes account of the opportunities and risks of running social media channels.
- Campaigns – working with marketing and insight colleagues to play an active and supportive role in promoting Scottish Government campaigns.
- Out-of-hours cover – participate in our News team leader duty rota system providing senior support and advice to duty press officers at weekends and public holidays.
Success profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.
Technical / Professional Skills:
- Insight - Level 4
- Ideas - Level 4
- Implementation - Level 4
- Impact - Level 4
Experience
- Experience of working in a senior news/external communications role, including leading and managing comms staff and influencing senior staff and/or Ministers.
- Strong understanding of the ever-changing way in which news is created and consumed, including news consumption habits, social media platforms and industry trends, and experience of applying this knowledge in government.
- Strong political acuity and experience of evaluating communications risks, opportunities, threats and strengths, and acting appropriately.
- The ability to prioritise and maintain personal and team resilience through periods of sustained pressure caused by workloads, external events or emergencies.
Behaviours:
- Seeing the Big Picture - Level 4
- Delivering at Pace - Level 4
- Making Effective Decisions - Level 4
- Working Together - Level 4
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) providing evidence of how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Both the CV and the supporting statement provided will be assessed against the criteria for the role.
Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and job simulation. Assessments are scheduled for late September 2026 however this may be subject to change.
Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
Qualifications
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits.
Working pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location.
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
Pay supplement
This is a specialist post and carries the Communications Pay Supplement of £3,000 per annum pro rata, rising to £5,000 on completion of 12 months’ successful service.
Equality statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Apply before 23:59 on 7th September 2026. This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only. External candidates and staff from UK Other Government Departments are not eligible to apply for this vacancy.
News Team Leader in Edinburgh employer: Scottish Government
The Scottish Government offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, where you can make a significant impact on customer service and safeguarding across Scotland. With a strong focus on employee development and innovation, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities while working alongside a dedicated team committed to excellence in public service. Join us in shaping a high-performing organisation that values collaboration and strives for transformative results.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land News Team Leader in Edinburgh
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Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
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We think you need these skills to ace News Team Leader in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Scottish Government. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Scottish Government.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Government
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
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Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
