Strategic Communications Manager

The Department for Work and Pensions impacts millions of people and families, right across the country. The DWP Communications team plays a critical role in managing the reputation of DWP internally with colleagues and externally in the media, stakeholders and to customers. Government communications exists to shape and deliver government priorities, working in collaboration with policy teams from ideation to implementation and delivery. We look at the most effective way to solve problems, manage risk and reputation while delivering first-class communications to the public. The DWP Communications team works to build public awareness and shape support for the Department's vision and initiatives through thoughtful communications, while also protecting the Department's reputation and helping to deliver change. We use our expertise in audience insight and research to inform partnerships, campaigns, and policy, delivering change to improve lives. Our hugely successful Pension Credit campaign reached millions and saw take-up boosted by more than 80% in 2022-23. We are committed to making the DWP Communications Directorate truly inclusive and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, including those who have not worked in the Civil Service before. We are recruiting a G7 Strategic Communications Manager to lead within our high-performing strategic communications and planning team. You will set the direction for strategic communications plans and narratives, provide editorial oversight across a range of channels, and use data and insight to drive continuous improvement. You'll build and maintain strong relationships at a senior level across DWP and with other government departments, acting as a trusted communications adviser to people at all levels. The role is fulltime and will be based in Caxton House, London. We welcome applications from candidates with experience in the private sector and voluntary sector. You will be at the heart of communications that make a real difference to millions of people's lives. You will be working in a supportive team and tasked with delivering communications objectives that form a critical part of the Government's priorities. Successful candidates will be involved in a range of the following:

• Responsible for delivering insight-driven strategic communication plans for departmental and ministerial priorities. To include clear objectives, measures of success and evaluation to allow for course correction.
• Working closely with colleagues in Policy Group and Strategy to join up Comms and Policy to optimise impact.
• Developing long term forward looks and working with colleagues to produce quarterly plans, agreed with No10, which ensure DWP is maximizing communications opportunities, demonstrating delivery and mitigating risks.
• Developing communications strategies that join up communications and policy delivery, grounded in DWP's operational and political context.
• Leading collaboration across the Communications Directorate to ensure that plans are delivered in partnership, guided by audience insight and tailored across channels and disciplines, including new and traditional media; owned, earned and paid marketing; and stakeholder management.
• Developing narratives, lines to take and messaging frameworks for Ministers, senior officials and colleagues across DWP so our messaging is consistent, coherent and compelling, setting direction through story-telling.
• Providing strategic direction on opportunities for 'digital-first' communications which support strategic goals, and developing strong, productive relationships with the Social Media Unit in our Marketing team.
• Line managing and developing members of the team, supporting their professional growth and ensuring high standards of delivery
  
  Disability Confident
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