Chief Communications Officer, No10 Communications Team

Job summary

The Prime Minister’s Office enables the Prime Minster to deliver the Government’s overall priorities and to communicate the Government’s policies to Parliament, the public and international audiences. From the Policy Unit and the Communications Team, Switchboard and Custodians, to the Events & Visits team and the world class Private Office support; the diverse No10 team draws on varied expertise from across the Civil Service and beyond. The teams come together to deliver excellent service to the Prime Minister while also making No10 a great place to work.

Job description

The Prime Minister’s Press Office is seeking an outstanding communications professional to join Number 10 North as a Chief Communications Officer.

This role will appeal to an experienced communications leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys working closely with Ministers, and can quickly grasp complex policy issues.

You will bring exceptional news judgement, strong regional communications expertise and the ability to provide clear, confident advice at the highest levels of government.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing team at the centre of government, supporting delivery of high-profile media moments and content, shaping news stories and supporting the Prime Minister’s priorities across the country.

Based in No10 North, this high-profile and cross-cutting role plays a critical part in ensuring the Prime Minister’s communications resonate with audiences in every region and nation of the UK. Working across Number 10, Whitehall and regional networks, you will help ensure government communications are locally relevant, strategically aligned and deliver maximum impact. The successful candidate will also provide direct communications support to the Prime Minister when he is working in No10 North, helping to shape and deliver media activity around some of the Government's highest-profile announcements and priorities.

The demands of this post are high. You will need:

• A strong understanding of regional media landscapes, with experience of reaching and engaging audiences at a local level through targeted communications.
• Outstanding media handling skills and exceptional news judgement, with the ability to identify opportunities, manage risks and operate effectively in a fast-paced news environment.
• Excellent drafting skills, with the ability to produce compelling media materials, briefings and communications advice to the highest standard and at pace.
• Strong digital communications skills, including an understanding of how social media platforms, online communities and digital content can be used to amplify messaging, engage audiences and support communications objectives.
• A proven track record of delivering integrated communications campaigns, spanning media, stakeholder and digital channels to achieve strategic objectives.
• First-rate interpersonal skills, enabling you to build effective relationships and work confidently with colleagues at all levels across Number 10, No10 North and government departments.
• Strong briefing and stakeholder management capabilities, with the confidence to represent the Prime Minister’s position in senior cross-government forums, provide media briefings during Prime Ministerial visits, and coordinate communications responses during major national events or crises.

Working in the Prime Minister’s Comms Team frequently involves working under pressure and to immovable deadlines, as well as routine out of hours work, including duties, and some travel.

Main duties of the post include:

• Leading the regional and local communications planning for Prime Ministerial announcements, ensuring activity is tailored to key audiences across the country and delivered in close partnership with No.10 communications teams.
• Developing and delivering multi-disciplinary communications plans that support the Prime Minister's priorities, including the Government's devolution agenda, working closely with No.10 Strategic Communications colleagues.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with regional and local media, securing effective engagement and maximising the impact of Government communications.
• Helping to oversee the day-to-day communications operation of No10 North, including communicating its vital work whilst ensuring seamless coordination with colleagues across Downing Street and Whitehall. Supporting the PM when he is working at No10 North.
• Cultivate and maintain effective networks across government, particularly with regional communications teams, while working closely with political communications colleagues within the bounds of the Civil Service Code and propriety guidance.
• Provide strategic communications advice to government departments, shaping the planning, presentation and delivery of high-profile announcements to ensure alignment with the Prime Minister's priorities and regional audience needs.
• Identify and manage communications risks, providing expert advice on media handling and response strategies for fast-moving regional news developments.
• Contribute to the out-of-hours press operation, providing overnight and weekend duty press cover on a rota basis and supporting the response to emerging issues as required.

Person specification

Essential Skills & Experience

• First-rate media handling skills and the proven ability to shape and respond to the news at pace
• A proven track record of regional media handling and expertise.
• Excellent leaderships skills and the ability to motivate a team.
• Experience of delivering high-profile announcements and media events;
• Excellent crisis communications skills and the ability to identify and mitigate risks
• Confidence and expertise to brief the Prime Minister and their senior advisers.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £59,207, Cabinet Office contributes £17,152 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).

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Things you need to know

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