Digital News and Media Planning Officer

Are you a strong communicator with a passion for digital storytelling and public service?
The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland seeks a Digital News and Media Planning Officer to support the Department in promoting Scotland\’s interests within a stronger United Kingdom. This role combines digital news expertise with traditional press and mdia planning responsibilities, ensuring effective communication of the Department\’s priorities across all platforms.
Responsibilities
Digital News and Press Functions

• Develop expertise in Scotland Office policy areas and build strong relationships with officials, digital news editors and relevant journalists.
• Manage breaking stories across traditional and digital platforms, providing timely, accurate and professional service to media.
• Draft and distribute press releases and digital news content, optimising material for different digital channels using departmental templates.
• Pitch news stories to digital spaces including broadcast websites and specialist online publications.
• Work closely with the digital team to adapt press content for social media platforms including Facebook, using established templates and formats.
• Provide media handling advice to Ministers and Special Advisers on reactive and proactive activity across traditional and digital channels.
• Support ministerial visits and events when required, including digital content capture.

Planning Functions

• Maintain the press office\’s integrated media planner and forward look, including digital content scheduling.
• Collaborate with No. 10 and other government departments to coordinate planned external communications across all platforms.
• Produce planning documentation and evaluation reports that incorporate digital metrics and outcomes.

Success Profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.
Experience
Experience working in a dynamic and fast-paced digital news environment, press office, communications or newsroom setting.
Strong track record handling both reactive media enquiries and proactive announcements across traditional and digital platforms.
Excellent writing skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly to non-expert audiences and adapt content for digital channels.
Good judgement and understanding of the integrated news cycle, including knowledge of different media channels and digital platforms.
Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing – Level 3.
• Seeing the bigger picture – Level 3.

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here
How To Apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words ) which provides evidence of how you meet the experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
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.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and assessment with details to follow.
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 8 September 2025 , however this may be subject to change.
About Us
The Scotland Office supports the Secretary of State in promoting the best interests of Scotland within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Scottish interests are fully and effectively represented at the heart of the UK government, and the UK government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, 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. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
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).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Apply before: 19 August 2025 (23:59) #J-18808-Ljbffr