Communications and Engagement Manager (Ref: 21508)

Job summary

Job description

Job Title

Communications and Engagement Manager

Job Grade

SEO

Job Location

National

Contract Type

Permanent

Business Area

Ministry of Justice Commercial

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of Posts

1

Commercial

The Ministry of Justice has one of the largest and most complex spending profiles in central government. Each year we spend more than £5 billion with our suppliers and it’s our job to help coordinate the sourcing of what we need. We support the management of our contracts across the department, its agencies and non departmental public bodies.

Commercial is responsible for coordinating procurement and contract management across the MoJ, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies. Commercial is organised into category teams, each with an interesting portfolio of contracts and diverse customers and suppliers to manage. We also have systems, programme management office, supplier relationship and risk management teams who work across all areas.

Commercial Operating Centre

Commercial Operating Centre, which exists to support teams across the Commercial directorate by streamlining operations, providing expert guidance, and enabling commercial and contract managers to focus on their core responsibilities. The Centre offers help with commercial standards, policy, systems (like Jaggaer and Purchase-to-Pay), budgeting, recruitment, and development opportunities.

Role Summary

The communications and engagement team is responsible for leading and delivering effective internal communications and engagement activities across the directorate. Key duties include developing communication plans, managing a range of communication channels, producing regular briefings and SharePoint content, and ensuring timely, clear and accessible messaging. The role also involves planning and hosting quarterly Town Hall events, leading the annual awards programme, supporting content publishers, and identifying opportunities to improve communication through technology. Regular analysis of feedback and performance data is required to measure effectiveness, while promoting collaboration, continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and compliance with government accessibility standards.

Key Responsibilities

Typically, the key responsibilities in this role will include

• Develop, maintain and facilitate directorate-wide communications which are inclusive and informative. This will include a range of communication channels. Maintain a forward communications plan for the directorate, horizon scanning for upcoming announcements, organisational changes, key dates and events that will require communications activity, and ensuring the directorate is prepared to communicate proactively and in good time.

• Work with the team to review existing communication themes, methods and channels, to support in the development and implementation of the communications plan for the directorate.

• Plan and deliver quarterly all-staff virtual Townhall events, taking ownership of the programme, identifying and briefing speakers, supporting speakers in preparing their contributions, and hosting the event.

• Produce the monthly Team Briefing, co-ordinating content from a range of providers, writing additional corporate content and providing line managers with the key information they need to communicate effectively with their teams.

• Produce communications published on the Commercial SharePoint Hub on behalf of the Chief Commercial Officer and the leadership team, ensuring content is clear, accurate and consistent in tone and style.

• Act as a point of contact for content publishers across the directorate who manage their own team areas on the Commercial Hub (SharePoint), providing technical guidance and support

• Review the use of technology to increase impactful communications and reduce unnecessary and inefficient ways of working.

• Lead the planning and delivery of the annual directorate Awards programme, coordinating all aspects of the event to recognise and celebrate employee achievement across MoJ Commercial.

• Contribute to a strong team ethos, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration and knowledge sharing.

• Regularly review data and feedback from across communications channels and events to evaluate effectiveness of channels and messages, taking appropriate action where needed.

• Ensure all communications content meets government accessibility standards, including the use of plain language, appropriate formatting and accessible document and digital content practices.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alternations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Essential Criteria

• Strong copywriting and proofreading skills, with the ability to produce clear, engaging content across multiple platforms and formats.

• Experience of developing high-quality communications products, such as event management, newsletters, articles, presentations, briefing papers and other engagement materials.

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, and to influence effectively at a senior level to support delivery.

• Ability to turn complex programmes, projects and strategies into simple, clear messaging that is meaningful to its audience, engages employees to drive forward behavioural change.

• Ability to prioritise and deliver effectively in a fast-paced, environment, working calmly and efficiently under pressure to tight deadlines.

• Ability to work with ambiguity and maintain a professional approach.

• Experience of SharePoint.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working in a communications role.

• Experience of video production and editing.

Application Stage

An initial sift will be performed against the following elements and will be assessed against the Civil Service success profiles framework:

Experience

• CV

• Statement of Suitability (750 words): This should be based around the key responsibilities and essential criteria

Behaviours

We will assess your application on the following behaviours. Please use the STAR method in your examples.

• Communicating and Influencing

• Changing and Improving

• Managing a Quality Service

Please note in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift against CV, Statement of Suitability and lead behaviour of communicating and influencing.

If shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview and will be assessed on the selected success profile elements at the interview stage.

Interview stage

There is one interview stage for this vacancy which will be held remotely and as part of the interview process you will be required to provide evidence on the following, and will be assessed against the Civil Service success profiles framework:

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing

• Changing and Improving

• Managing a Quality Service

Experience

1 x experience question - Ability to prioritise and deliver effectively in a fast-paced, environment

Strengths maybe assessed at the interview, and these are not shared in advance.

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