Senior Social Videographer - Government Media Unit

Job summary

What is the Government Media Unit?

The Government Media Unit (GMU), part of the Government Communication Service in the Cabinet Office, has been established as part of a fundamental transformation of government communications to ensure we are able to operate effectively in a highly fragmented and unstructured media landscape. Established in April 2026, the GMU has a clear goal to reach, connect and rebuild trust with UK citizens in the most effective way possible. Our aim is to provide the public with relevant, useful and authentic content when and where they want to receive it and communicate in an entirely new way.

The government has signalled a clear intention to focus on ambitious, measurable, long-term objectives that deliver better outcomes for citizens. This requires a new way of doing government communications which is more joined-up and better reaches our audiences to build awareness, understanding and trust in the Government.

The GMU will proactively deliver on priority campaigns and lead on cross government communications strategy, coordination, and planning. We need people who think differently and who can respond in a flexible way to the ever-changing media landscape. The GMU will collaborate across the wider GCS, No 10 and departmental communication teams across government. We are focused on real-world impact over volume. This team prioritises evidence-based strategies, audience-led insights, and rigorous performance measurement to combat misinformation and drive meaningful engagement. We execute a modern, integrated communications ecosystem, and operate using a structured 'Long, Short, and Live' model, connecting the whole government communications landscape to deliver high-impact, data-driven narratives that turn promises made into promises kept.

This is a really exciting time to be joining the GMU as we look to expand our activity, test and learn different approaches and deliver communications which make a difference to people’s lives. Join us as we transform government communications, moving beyond reactive announcements to build genuine trust through competence, integrity, and benevolence. We are a strategic strategy & delivery centre, designed to bridge the gap between traditional press offices and behavioural marketing, ensuring government actions resonate with the citizens who need them most.

Job description

What we’re looking for

We're seeking innovative minds and creative talents to help craft our evolving vision. This is a unique opportunity to grow, learn and share your talent with a team of diverse experts with passion and a genuine curiosity to innovate government comms. Most importantly, we want people who are passionate about delivering outstanding communications for the public.

We value colleagues who embrace change, think outside the box, and thrive in a dynamic environment. We welcome applications from the widest range of people of different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. If you're passionate about making your mark and flourishing in an atmosphere that champions fresh thinking and adaptability, we want to hear from you.

About the Government Communication Service

By joining a communications team, you will become a member of the Government Communication Service (GCS), a well-established network of professional communicators working in government departments, agencies and arm’s length bodies. You’ll benefit from continuous professional development from our new learning and development curriculum, a network of skilled communicators sharing best practice, mentoring opportunities, and more!

For more information on how becoming a part of the Communications Profession can support your career and development please visit our careers page.

For our top tips on how to write your application, please take a look at our recruitment top tips for candidates guide.

Overview

As a Senior Social Videographer in the Government Media Unit, you'll be a platform-native visual storyteller responsible for producing quality video content for government social media channels.

Working at pace across studio and on-location environments, you'll own the full production cycle from ideation through to delivery, creating content that stops the scroll, drives engagement and connects citizens with important government communications.

This is a unique opportunity to apply your social video expertise at scale on work with genuine national impact, contributing to government communications that inform, engage and build public trust across the UK.

Responsibilities & Duties

As a Social Videographer, your key responsibilities will include:

• Owning the end-to-end filming and editing process, including lighting, sound recording and social videography, working confidently in both studio and on-location environments with a range of contributors from senior officials to members of the public.
• Taking accountability for the visual storytelling quality of all video content produced for digital channels, ensuring every piece of content is crafted to perform in-feed.
• Delivering fast-paced edits that meet platform requirements, working efficiently to tight turnarounds without compromising quality or creative impact.
• Optimising visual styles to dominate specific social feeds, with particular focus on trending vertical formats for Reels and TikTok and compelling hooks and pacing for YouTube.
• Maintain production workflows, shared asset libraries and ensuring consistent file structures, naming conventions and labelling that keep content accessible for the entire team.
• Embrace AI as a collaborative and creative tool, utilising within your workflows; experimenting, testing and implementing new tools to increase productivity and deliver at pace.

Person specification

Experience / Ability

Essential

• Comprehensive Production Experience: Proven experience in shooting, editing, and producing multi-format video content for a major brand, institution, or government department, ideally with a strong portfolio in high-engagement organic work. Proficient in self-shooting and equipment set-up, including sound and talent direction, and particularly an excellent knowledge of lighting techniques.
• Social Video Expertise: A deep understanding of social media video trends and platform-specific content requirements, with the ability to translate trends into actionable content strategies for government communications.
• Strong Communication and Direction Skills: Experience in collaborating with digital creators, influencers and the general public with a strong ability to produce content that engages diverse audiences and communicates effectively through third-party voices. Ability to bring out the best in people both on camera and behind the scenes.
• Creative Leadership: Experience in setting tone, style, and brand guidelines for video content. Proven track record in developing content that adheres to and advances brand goals. Creative flair and originality - a strong visual sense and ability to challenge where you feel innovation or improvements are needed.
• Management: Proven line management experience, ability to support a collaborative ‘ok to fail’ environment. Proactive and positive attitude with a passion for creating the best possible creative t