Chief Communications Officer, No10 Communications Team

The Prime Minister’s Office enables the Prime Minster to deliver the Government’s overall priorities and to communicate the Government’s policies to Parliament, the public and international audiences. From the Policy Unit and the Communications Team, Switchboard and Custodians, to the Events & Visits team and the world class Private Office support; the diverse No10 team draws on varied expertise from across the Civil Service and beyond. The teams come together to deliver excellent service to the Prime Minister while also making No10 a great place to work.

The Prime Minister’s Press Office is seeking an outstanding communications professional to join Number 10 North as a Chief Communications Officer.

This role will appeal to an experienced communications leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys working closely with Ministers, and can quickly grasp complex policy issues.

You will bring exceptional news judgement, strong regional communications expertise and the ability to provide clear, confident advice at the highest levels of government.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing team at the centre of government, supporting delivery of high-profile media moments and content, shaping news stories and supporting the Prime Minister’s priorities across the country.

Based in No10 North, this high-profile and cross-cutting role plays a critical part in ensuring the Prime Minister’s communications resonate with audiences in every region and nation of the UK. Working across Number 10, Whitehall and regional networks, you will help ensure government communications are locally relevant, strategically aligned and deliver maximum impact. The successful candidate will also provide direct communications support to the Prime Minister when he is working in No10 North, helping to shape and deliver media activity around some of the Government's highest-profile announcements and priorities.

The demands of this post are high. You will need:

• A strong understanding of regional media landscapes, with experience of reaching and engaging audiences at a local level through targeted communications.
• Outstanding media handling skills and exceptional news judgement, with the ability to identify opportunities, manage risks and operate effectively in a fast-paced news environment.
• Excellent drafting skills, with the ability to produce compelling media materials, briefings and communications advice to the highest standard and at pace.
• Strong digital communications skills, including an understanding of how social media platforms, online communities and digital content can be used to amplify messaging, engage audiences and support communications objectives.
• A proven track record of delivering integrated communications campaigns, spanning media, stakeholder and digital channels to achieve strategic objectives.
• First-rate interpersonal skills, enabling you to build effective relationships and work confidently with colleagues at all levels across Number 10, No10 North and government departments.
• Strong briefing and stakeholder management capabilities, with the confidence to represent the Prime Minister’s position in senior cross-government forums, provide media briefings during Prime Ministerial visits, and coordinate communications responses during major national events or crises.

Working in the Prime Minister’s Comms Team frequently involves working under pressure and to immovable deadlines, as well as routine out of hours work, including duties, and some travel.

Main duties of the post include:

• Leading the regional and local communications planning for Prime Ministerial announcements, ensuring activity is tailored to key audiences across the country and delivered in close partnership with No.10 communications teams.
• Developing and delivering multi-disciplinary communications plans that support the Prime Minister's priorities, including the Government's devolution agenda, working closely with No.10 Strategic Communications colleagues.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with regional and local media, securing effective engagement and maximising the impact of Government communications.
• Helping to oversee the day-to-day communications operation of No10 North, including communicating its vital work whilst ensuring seamless coordination with colleagues across Downing Street and Whitehall. Supporting the PM when he is working at No10 North.
• Cultivate and maintain effective networks across government, particularly with regional communications teams, while working closely with political communications colleagues within the bounds of the Civil Service Code and propriety guidance.
• Provide strategic communications advice to government departments, shaping the planning, presentation and delivery of high-profile announcements to ensure alignment with the Prime Minister's priorities and regional audience needs.
• Identify and manage communications risks, providing expert advice on media handling and response strategies for fast-moving regional news developments.
• Contribute to the out-of-hours press operation, providing overnight and weekend duty press cover on a rota basis and supporting the response to emerging issues as required.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application process

Please submit a CV and a Personal Statement (1,000 words max) to explain how you meet the behaviours outlined in the job description and how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate for the role.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

CV and Personal Statement will be assessed against the Success Profiles Framework.

Selection process

Candidates successful at sift will be invited to Behaviour and Strength based panel interview.

The behaviours that will be assessed are the following:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a quality service
• Delivering at Pace

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – Late September

Expected interview date/s – October

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetoffice.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5-years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.