Director of Communications

Director of Communications

Department for Transport

Birmingham, Leeds or London

• Location Birmingham, Leeds or London
• Sector Central Government
• Client Department for Transport
• Job Type Permanent
• Salary/Remuneration £120,000 (SCS2)
• Reference GSe137659
• Closing Date 23:55 on Monday 23 November 2026

Shape how the nation understands the future of transport.

Transport connects people to work, education, healthcare and opportunity; supports growth; and brings communities closer together. At the Department for Transport (DfT), we are improving every kind of journey, harnessing technology and investing in safer, greener and better-connected networks across the UK.

We are seeking an outstanding Director of Communications to lead our communications function at a pivotal moment for transport and government communications. This is an opportunity to influence an agenda of national importance and help deliver the biggest transformation of government communications in a generation.

The opportunity

As the Secretary of State’s senior official communications adviser, you will set DfT’s communications strategy and lead a large, multidisciplinary team. As Head of Profession, you will be accountable for communications strategy, spend and standards across the Department’s agencies and arm’s-length bodies. In line with cross-Government Communications transformation, you will champion the shift from reactive, press-first activity to integrated, always-on communications that reach people through the channels they use. Audience insight, data and compelling storytelling will sit at the heart of your approach. You will embrace digital innovation and responsible AI, while keeping communications clear, authentic and trusted.

Operating across a complex, high-profile portfolio, you will advise Ministers and senior leaders, shape understanding of the Government’s transport priorities and lead communications through crises and politically sensitive issues. You will also work with fellow Directors of Communications to raise standards across government.

What you will bring

We are seeking an exceptional senior communications leader with a strong record of delivering audience-led, insight-driven, multi-channel campaigns with measurable impact. Combining marketing and storytelling expertise with political acuity and strategic judgement, you will be a trusted adviser at Board, C-suite, Ministerial or equivalent level. You will bring proven experience of managing crises and reputational risk, leading cultural and digital transformation, and building inclusive, high-performing multidisciplinary teams. You will turn complexity into clear, trusted communications that put citizens first. Above all, you will provide the credible, inclusive leadership needed to build public trust and deliver lasting impact.

Help shape a modern communications function that connects with people, builds trust and makes a difference across the UK.

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Recruitment Timetable

Closing date
23:55 on Monday 23 November 2026

Long listing
Week commencing 30 November 2026

Preliminary interviews
Weeks commencing 30 November and 7 December 2026

Short listing
Week commencing 14 December 2026

Assessment
Weeks commencing 4 and 11 January 2027

Final panel
Week commencing 18 January 2027

How to apply

To apply for this post, please submit the following no later than 23:55 on Monday 23 November 2026:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. Your CV should be no longer than two A4 pages at font size 12.
• A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say’.

All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be provided to the selection panel. 

Should you encounter any issues with your application please get in touch with us via [email removed]

Your application will be acknowledged when it is received. 

For a confidential discussion to help inform your application, please contact our recruitment advisors at Gatenby Sanderson:

Orla Brennan: