Deputy Director of Communications and Engagement

This role will be one of three Deputy Directors in the MOD's Communications leadership team. The Deputy Director Communications and Engagement will have oversight of the Growth and Industry pillar of Defence Communications Strategy, which includes developing and delivering communications campaigns that support defence investment, innovation, industrial growth, skills and jobs, exports, and engagement with industry partners across the UK and internationally; you will also ensure the pillar’s communications activities strategically align with the Defence Plan, Government Policy, and the Government Communications plan. The post holder will work closely with the Head of Communications in the National Armaments Group. ​

The primary purpose of this role will be leading the delivery of Defence Communications across industry during a period of significant transformation. As a senior leader in the team, you will provide leadership across multiple functional areas of communications such as Digital and News. You will be responsible for devising the strategy, overseeing planning for its delivery, evaluation of the outputs and planning to assure delivery of the Growth and Industry pillar’s objectives. As Defence continues to evolve its communications operating model, this role will be central to driving modern approaches and strengthening professional communications capability and leading innovation across the function. ​

• Providing strategic leadership and direction to the Growth and Industry Pillar within Defence Communications, driving the adoption of modern,

innovative and audience-focused communications approaches across Defence and ensuring activity is aligned with Ministerial priorities, Defence objectives and Government Communication Service (GCS) standards.​

• Acting as a senior communications profession leader, championing best practice in digital communications, audience engagement, content strategy, channel management, campaign delivery, insight and evaluation, and supporting the development of communications capability across Defence.​
• Driving innovation in communications methods and delivery, identifying emerging trends, technologies and approaches that strengthen Defence's ability to engage audiences effectively through modern communications channels.​
• Developing a regional Defence Communications capability, building a more integrated and effective network of communicators across the nations and regions of the UK and ensuring alignment with departmental priorities and campaigns.​
• Providing strategic direction, oversight and improvements for multiple functional communications disciplines such as Digital and News, ensuring the delivery of high-quality communications products and advice to senior leaders and Ministers.​
• Providing leadership to civilian and military personnel within the Growth and Industry Pillar as First Reporting Officer, ensuring appropriate performance management, professional development and talent support are in place whilst leading teams through organisational change and transformation.​
• Playing an active role in the senior leadership of Defence Communications, contributing to departmental strategy, workforce planning, governance, financial management and the continued development of communications capability across the organisation.​
• Providing strategic communications leadership for Defence's engagement with industry, ensuring communications activity supports major Defence industrial priorities, innovation programmes, technology development, investment and wider growth objectives working closely with the Head of Communications and Corporate Services in the National Armaments Group.​
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with senior stakeholders across Government, the Military, industry, the media and external partners to enhance Defence's communications effectiveness and support broader growth objectives.​

Open to UK nationals only.

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process accessed via the Civil Service Jobs portal. This should be completed no later than 23:55 on Sunday 27 September 2026 and will involve providing the two documents which are weighted equally:

• A CV (no more than 2 pages) setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.​
• A Personal Statement (no more than 2 pages) providing tangible examples that clearly evidence how you meet the essential criteria for the role.​

We will be offering an online Q&A session on Thursday 17 September at 11:30am – 12:30pm to provide an overview of the role and answer any questions you may have. Candidates can access the meeting by clicking here. Please note that attendance is not part of the formal assessment process. If you have any issues accessing the session, please contact Nikki.Lightly768@mod.gov.uk.

External candidates who join the MOD and are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

For further information about the role and full application process, please refer to the candidate pack attached below. If you wish to receive any material in a different format for accessibility, then please contact People-CivHR-SCSCandidateSupport@mod.gov.uk.

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