Digital Content Producer

Job summary

IMPORTANT - This vacancy is using the Civil Service Numerical and Verbal tests. The deadline for completing the tests is the same as the vacancy closing date. Please ensure you complete the tests with sufficient time to complete the written application.

We are looking for a creative digital content producer to help tell the story of the Department for Education’s work through engaging social media and digital content.

You do not need previous government experience to apply. We are interested in your creativity, judgement, writing skills and ability to make clear, engaging content for different audiences.

In this busy, fast-paced role, you will create audience-first content that brings education priorities to life across digital channels, using graphic design, short-form video, clear copywriting and platform-native storytelling.

You will understand what captures attention online and be able to adapt trends, formats and creative techniques in a way that is accurate, accessible and appropriate for a public sector organisation.

You will also help the team use emerging creative tools, including AI, in responsible and practical ways to improve ideas, production and workflow.

Job description

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Create engaging visual, written and multimedia content for social media channels, including graphics, short-form video edits, animations and platform-native formats.
• Develop creative ideas for campaigns and everyday content, using audience insight, performance data and social media trends.
• Turn complex information into clear, accurate and accessible content for different audiences.
• Write clear, engaging copy for social posts, videos, graphics and other digital content.
• Work with colleagues across communications, policy and ministerial teams to develop content from brief to publication.
• Use insight and evaluation to understand what works and improve future content.
• Support content planning, publishing and scheduling when needed.
• Share creative ideas, solve content problems and help colleagues understand what makes effective social media content.
• Work collaboratively and in partnership with content creators and influencers.
• Adapt content for different audiences, including internal audiences and the wider education sector.
• Explore and test AI-powered and emerging creative tools, sharing practical recommendations for how the team could use them responsibly.

We welcome applications from candidates seeking part time or compressed working pattern. However, due to the nature of the work and the shift coverage required, the minimum number of contracted hours for this role is 30 hours per week over a 4 day period.

Person specification

We welcome applications from people with relevant experience in social media content and production.

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrate sound knowledge and experience of creating engaging content for social media and an understanding of how different formats work across platforms.
• Demonstrate good understanding of graphic design. You will be confident using graphic design or creative production tools, such as Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent software, with a working knowledge of basic video editing or motion graphics.
• Ability to write clearly and accurately, turning complex information into engaging copy and content that people can easily understand.
• Demonstrate and in-depth understanding of social media platforms, audience behaviour, content trends and emerging creative techniques, and know how to use them in an organisational setting.
• Comfortable using insight, evaluation and performance data to make content decisions and improve future work.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills, working well with others, explain your ideas clearly and respond constructively to feedback.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage a demanding workload leading on and coordinating several pieces of work at the same time, respond to changing priorities and deliver high-quality content to deadlines.
• Demonstrate a passion and interest in public service and in how digital communications can help people understand government work.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm and keen interest in emerging creative technologies, including AI-powered tools, and able to show how new tools, platforms or techniques could improve content creation, engagement or ways of working.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Insight
• Implementation
• Ideas

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £50,714, Department for Education contributes £14,691 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial 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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This 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 applicatio