Deputy Director for Media and Content

The Department for Education is seeking an exceptional communications leader to become our Deputy Director for Media and Content. This is a high-profile role that involves leading the department's media and content strategy, working with ministers, special advisers, and senior leadership teams.

As Deputy Director, you will be directly accountable for:

• Press Office and Media Relations, leading the department's 24/7 media operation, overseeing strategic media engagement, proactive communications, and issues management.
• Leading the department's content and channel strategy, ensuring our work is based on evidence and puts our audiences first.
• Leading creative content production across video, photography, graphic design, and emerging formats.
• Working with strategic and marketing leads to develop integrated communications campaigns.
• Providing advice and delivery plans to ministers, colleagues, and advisers.

The outcomes you will deliver:

• High levels of confidence in all our audiences in the work of the department.
• A movement for change driven by your communication abilities that brings pupils, students, parents, teachers, lecturers, and everyone involved in education together.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

1. Excellent leadership, with a proven track record transforming multidisciplinary communications functions in a complex and high-profile environment.
2. Media expertise, with significant experience leading media engagement and managing high-profile and challenging issues.
3. A deep understanding of digital and content-driven storytelling.
4. The ability to convene and influence senior leaders and partners.
5. Sound leadership and people management skills.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £92,000, the Department for Education contributes £26,652 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years' service. We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time, and compressed hours.

Selection Process

The selection process will include:

1. Online numerical and verbal reasoning assessments.
2. A staff engagement exercise.
3. A formal in-person interview.

Other Information

• The successful candidate will be subject to a social media check and Due Diligence prior to appointment.
• The Department for Education does not cover the cost of travel to your interview or assessment unless otherwise stated.