At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful communications campaigns that make a difference in people's lives.
- Company: Join Social Security Scotland, a key player in public service delivery.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth within a dynamic and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Shape national communications and engage with diverse communities across Scotland.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic communications and team leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Are you a strategic communications leader with a passion for delivering impactful, audience-focused campaigns that make a real difference to people’s lives? Social Security Scotland is looking for an experienced Senior External Communications Manager to lead the planning and delivery of high-profile communications and engagement activity that increases awareness of Scotland’s benefits and helps eligible people access the financial support they are entitled to. Working at the heart of a fast-paced Communications, Marketing and Engagement team, you will provide expert strategic advice, shape integrated communications plans informed by audience insight and data, and lead a multidisciplinary team of communications professionals to deliver measurable outcomes.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence national communications activity across media relations, marketing, digital and social media, partnerships and events. You will work closely with senior leaders, ministers and stakeholders, ensuring communications activity is aligned to organisational priorities and delivers maximum impact for Scotland’s diverse communities. If you thrive on leading teams, building strong relationships and creating innovative communications strategies that support public service delivery, we would like to hear from you.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a multi-disciplinary communications team to develop and deliver integrated communication, marketing and engagement plans that increase awareness of Social Security Scotland benefits, informed by audience insight, evidence and evaluation.
- Provide strategic advice on the most effective messages, channels and approaches to engage and influence target audiences, using a mix of media, marketing, digital and social media, partnerships and events activity.
- Deliver proactive and reactive media relations activity, including writing press releases, securing feature and editorial opportunities, supporting Ministerial visits, handling media enquiries and participating in the on-call media rota.
- Oversee the briefing, development and delivery of creative campaign assets and paid media activity to support communications objectives and maximise impact.
- Lead the development and delivery of partnership and events strategies for key audiences, supporting the team to build and maintain effective relationships with partners and stakeholders.
- Provide expert communications advice and support to senior leaders and colleagues, demonstrating strategic leadership within a specialist communications discipline and contributing to wider organisational priorities.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across communications, marketing, engagement, internal communications, design and corporate communications functions to deliver a coordinated, audience-focused and integrated approach across multiple platforms and channels.
Qualifications
Success Profiles: We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. For this post, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed:
- Experience: Proven experience in developing and delivering integrated communications, marketing and engagement strategies that achieve measurable outcomes and support organisational priorities.
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary communications teams and providing trusted strategic advice to senior leaders, ministers and key stakeholders.
- Proven experience managing proactive and reactive media activity, including press relations, issues management, crisis communications and high-profile public affairs.
- Demonstrable success using audience insight and data to shape communications, while building effective partnerships and delivering engagement activity that reaches diverse audiences.
Behaviours:
- Communicating and Influencing (Level 3)
- Seeing the Big Picture (Level 3)
- Delivering at Pace (Level 3)
- Working Together (Level 3)
Technical / Professional Skills:
- Insight
- Ideas
- Implementation
- Impact
How to Apply
Apply online, providing a CV and a Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words). Your CV and Supporting Statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet the Experience, Technical Skills and Behaviours required for the role as outlined in the Success Profile above. Be sure to provide specific examples of work that you’ve done that showcase your relevant experience.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and supporting statement on the first Experience criteria. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed. Candidates who are successful at sift stage will be invited to attend an Interview and Assessment. The interview will further assess the Experience, Technical Skills and Behaviours listed in the job advert and the technical assessment will evaluate the technical skills relevant to the role. Candidates who pass the sift and are invited to the Interview and Assessment stage will receive full details of the skills to be assessed and the assessment methods to be used.
Please note; we aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.
Expected Timeline (subject to change)
- Sift - week commencing 31st August 2026
- Interview – week commencing 21st September 2026
Location - In Person in either Dundee or Glasgow
Reserve List
In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months.
About Us
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
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. This is paid in addition to salary. Pay supplements are temporary and subject to regular reviews.
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. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be either Glasgow or Dundee.
If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Equality Statement
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us.
Further Information
This role is only available to existing permanent civil servants who have successfully completed their probation period within Social Security Scotland or the broader Scottish Government.
The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.
If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via email.
Apply before 23:55 on Monday 31st August.
Contact Name - Pauline Kelly
Contact e-Mail - Pauline.Kelly@socialsecurity.gov.scot
Senior External Communications Manager in Glasgow 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.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior External Communications Manager in Glasgow
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