Deputy Director of Communications and Engagement

Job summary

This role will be one of three Deputy Directors in the MOD's Communications leadership team. The Deputy Director Communications and Engagement will have oversight of the Growth and Industry pillar of Defence Communications Strategy, which includes developing and delivering communications campaigns that support defence investment, innovation, industrial growth, skills and jobs, exports, and engagement with industry partners across the UK and internationally; you will also ensure the pillar’s communications activities strategically align with the Defence Plan, Government Policy, and the Government Communications plan. The post holder will work closely with the Head of Communications in the National Armaments Group. ​

The primary purpose of this role will be leading the delivery of Defence Communications across industry during a period of significant transformation. As a senior leader in the team, you will provide leadership across multiple functional areas of communications such as Digital and News. You will be responsible for devising the strategy, overseeing planning for its delivery, evaluation of the outputs and planning to assure delivery of the Growth and Industry pillar’s objectives. As Defence continues to evolve its communications operating model, this role will be central to driving modern approaches and strengthening professional communications capability and leading innovation across the function. ​

Job description

• Providing strategic leadership and direction to the Growth and Industry Pillar within Defence Communications, driving the adoption of modern,
  innovative and audience-focused communications approaches across Defence and ensuring activity is aligned with Ministerial priorities, Defence objectives and Government Communication Service (GCS) standards.​
• Acting as a senior communications profession leader, championing best practice in digital communications, audience engagement, content strategy, channel management, campaign delivery, insight and evaluation, and supporting the development of communications capability across Defence.​
• Driving innovation in communications methods and delivery, identifying emerging trends, technologies and approaches that strengthen Defence's ability to engage audiences effectively through modern communications channels.​
• Developing a regional Defence Communications capability, building a more integrated and effective network of communicators across the nations and regions of the UK and ensuring alignment with departmental priorities and campaigns.​
• Providing strategic direction, oversight and improvements for multiple functional communications disciplines such as Digital and News, ensuring the delivery of high-quality communications products and advice to senior leaders and Ministers.​
• Providing leadership to civilian and military personnel within the Growth and Industry Pillar as First Reporting Officer, ensuring appropriate performance management, professional development and talent support are in place whilst leading teams through organisational change and transformation.​
• Playing an active role in the senior leadership of Defence Communications, contributing to departmental strategy, workforce planning, governance, financial management and the continued development of communications capability across the organisation.​
• Providing strategic communications leadership for Defence's engagement with industry, ensuring communications activity supports major Defence industrial priorities, innovation programmes, technology development, investment and wider growth objectives working closely with the Head of Communications and Corporate Services in the National Armaments Group.​
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with senior stakeholders across Government, the Military, industry, the media and external partners to enhance Defence's communications effectiveness and support broader growth objectives.​

Person specification

• Extensive senior communications leadership experience, with a proven track record of developing and leading high-performing, diverse and inclusive communications teams in complex and fast-paced environments. This should include experience of leading across multiple communications disciplines and operating effectively within matrixed organisations.
• Significant experience of modern, digital-first communications, including channel management, content strategy, audience growth, campaigns, engagement and the effective use of insight, evaluation and performance data to drive continuous improvement and measurable outcomes.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with a demonstrable ability to motivate, empower and develop teams, build professional capability, and lead organisations and individuals through periods of significant change and transformation.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with an ability to build good internal and external working relationships with a variety of senior stakeholders, especially at Board Level. You will be able to demonstrate how you establish credibility quickly, build consensus and deliver results through effective collaboration.
• A strong track record of innovation in communications, including identifying and implementing new communications methods, technologies and approaches to improve audience engagement, organisational effectiveness and communications impact.
• Experience of building organisational resilience and capability across communications functions, ensuring teams can operate effectively in high-profile, dynamic and often ambiguous environments while maintaining high professional standards.
• Highly proactive and delivery-focused, with the ability to manage competing priorities, lead multiple concurrent workstreams and adapt rapidly in response to changing priorities and emerging challenges.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a strong field of candidates when there is a need to distinguish between candidates. This will be as a second sift, after the essential criteria has been considered:​
- Understanding of Defence, Security or Government Communications.
- Experience of developing regional communications networks or geographically dispersed communications teams.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £98,500, Ministry of Defence contributes £28,535 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 with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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