Chief Media Officer

London (SW1P 3BT), Sheffield (S1 2FJ)Job SummaryThe Department for Education (DfE) is at the heart of the Government’s Plan for Change – as the lead department for the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity, and ensure every child and young person has the chance to succeed, no matter what their background.We are recruiting for an experienced news, digital and PR professional to join our energetic and high performing communications team as a Chief Media Officer – with responsibility for delivering communications through digital, broadcast and print media.Job DescriptionThe DfE is looking for an exceptional communications professional to lead one of our media teams, working to the Secretary of State and Ministerial team to deliver against the Plan for Change.You will be a key part of the news and social media senior management team, with responsibility for leading and manage a high performing, creative media team. You will be expected to maintain and build on incredibly high standards, while thriving under the pressure of a delivering a substantial news agenda in a fast-paced environment. As well as experience of dealing with front page news stories or breaking broadcast news, we are looking for candidates who are equally comfortably using the full range of social and digital channels to innovate and communicate the DfE’s key messages – embedding an audience first approach to our communications.We need a creative team player, willing to work across communications disciplines to achieve our aim through the Opportunity Mission to break the unfair link between young people’s background and their success.You will have a pivotal role in providing effective leadership and clear direction to the whole office, developing and enabling staff to reach their full potential, and ensuring media officers are working to shared goals in support of the priorities.You will have the communications understanding and news sense to spot problems before they arise and identify proactive opportunities before anyone else. You will be expected to quickly win the trust of and work closely with the Secretary of State for Education as well as Ministers, policy teams and communications colleagues within the DfE and with other government departments working on the Opportunity Mission, and across the Government Communications Service (GCS), of which you will be a member. As part of the senior management team, you will continually seek ways of improving the service provided by the media team including making sure the team has the skills needed. You will provide advice - and constructive challenge where required - to senior policy teams, the Permanent Secretary, ministers, and special advisers on the communication implications of new, developing and existing policy.  You will take part in the office back-up rota, providing senior management support to our out-of-hours service. The DfE is looking for an exceptional communications professional to lead one of our media teams, working to the Secretary of State and Ministerial team to deliver against the Plan for Change.You will be a key part of the news and social media senior management team, with responsibility for leading and manage a high performing, creative media team. You will be expected to maintain and build on incredibly high standards, while thriving under the pressure of a delivering a substantial news agenda in a fast-paced environment. As well as experience of dealing with front page news stories or breaking broadcast news, we are looking for candidates who are equally comfortably using the full range of social and digital channels to innovate and communicate the DfE’s key messages – embedding an audience first approach to our communications.We need a creative team player, willing to work across communications disciplines to achieve our aim through the Opportunity Mission to break the unfair link between young people’s background and their success.You will have a pivotal role in providing effective leadership and clear direction to the whole office, developing and enabling staff to reach their full potential, and ensuring media officers are working to shared goals in support of the priorities.You will have the communications understanding and news sense to spot problems before they arise and identify proactive opportunities before anyone else. You will be expected to quickly win the trust of and work closely with the Secretary of State for Education as well as Ministers, policy teams and communications colleagues within the DfE and with other government departments working on the Opportunity Mission, and across the Government Communications Service (GCS), of which you will be a member. As part of the senior management team, you will continually seek ways of improving the service provided by the media team including making sure the team has the skills needed. You will provide advice - and constructive challenge where required - to senior policy teams, the Permanent Secretary, ministers, and special advisers on the communication implications of new, developing and existing policy.  You will take part in the office back-up rota, providing senior management support to our out-of-hours service. Person specificationWe Are Looking For Candidates WhoAre a creative and experienced communications leader who can quickly get to grips with fast moving and complex issues. Have experience of leading teams and extensive experience in the media across digital, print and broadcast. Your experience should include both traditional newswriting skills and multimedia knowledge. Can maintain and build on incredibly high standards, while thriving under the pressure of delivering a substantial news agenda in a fast-paced environment. Have experience of leading junior members of staff and supporting their development.  Essential CriteriaLeading a team and developing people.Handling high profile issues and influencing senior internal and external stakeholders.Delivering cross-channel media campaigns through the team. Sharp news sense and first-rate writing skills.Ability to build relationships and network.BehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:LeadershipSeeing the Big PictureDelivering at PaceTechnical skillsWe'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:GCS Technical Skill: IdeasGCS Technical Skill: ImplementationGCS Technical Skill: ImpactAlongside your salary of £58,185, Department for Education contributes £16,856 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.To apply for this role, please select 'Apply Now' at the top or bottom of this advert. CV details need to be included in the template within the application form; attached or emailed CVs will not be considered.Please be advised there are two stages to the recruitment process for this role, these are outlined below.Stage 1 – Application At sift stage, you will be assessed on your Experience in line with the essential skills listed in the person specification section of the job advert.To Apply For This Role, Please ProvideA Short CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role.A Statement of Suitability (no more than 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the job advert.To confirm, the maximum word count for the statement of suitability is 750 words. Please adhere to this limit as anything over 750 words will not be taken into account.The CV and Statement of Suitability will be assessed against the essential criteria detailed in the advert.If you are successful at application sift stage, your application will be progressed onto Stage 2 part of the Selection process.Stage 2 - InterviewThe interview will be a 2-part process:Part 1: A written assessment will form part of the interview process, in which you will be assessed against the Delivering at Pace behaviour which will form part of the overall assessment. Further details will be provided to candidates upon invitation to interview.Part 2: The interview will be a blended interview. We will ask you a series of Behaviour and Technical Skills based questions to demonstrate, using examples, how you meet the Behaviours and Technical Skills listed in the advert.The interview is likely to be two hours long to accommodate the written assessment.Other InformationInterviews may be via Microsoft teams or face to face; the vacancy manager will confirm prior to the Interview.In your application, please don’t include personal information that identifies you.This means we can recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity - it's called name blind recruitment (opens in a new window).Please ensure that you remove from your application, all references to your:name/titleeducational institutionsagegenderemail addresspostal addressphone numbernationality/immigration statusArtificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.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.Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBsBodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.Reasonable adjustmentIf 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 ShouldContact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk 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.Please refer to the attached ‘Reasonable Adjustments Guide 05_2025 – accessible version’ at the bottom of the advert, for further information.Childcare VouchersAny move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis Job Is Broadly Open To The Following GroupsUK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals 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 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.Diversity and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicantsJob ContactName : Josh KayeEmail : josh.kaye@education.gov.ukRecruitment teamEmail : Centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.ukFurther informationThe Department for Education’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via CentralRecruitment.Operations@education.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages