Press Secretary and Head of Ministerial Communications job with MINISTRY OF DEFENCE | 7691025 <meta property="og:site_name" content="

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<div class="mds-edited-text mds-font-body-copy-bulk"><p>Reporting to the Director of Defence Communications but working directly to the Defence Secretary in most cases, the Secretary of State’s Press Secretary and Head of Ministerial Communications is responsible for:</p>
<ul>
<li>Promoting the Ministry of Defence strategic agenda through communications, protecting and enhancing Defence’s reputation with specific accountability for the Defence Secretary’s, ministerial issues and Chief of the Defence Staff communications, in conjunction with Head of External Communications which has specific accountability for non-Ministerial issues;</li>
<li>Overseeing the tasking and development of a 24/7 news team (run jointly with the Head of External Communications) with specific leadership for the junior ministerial press secretaries;</li>
<li>Playing a full and proactive role in the Directorate of Defence Communications (DDC) leadership team and leading a team to deliver high quality communication services.</li>
</ul>
<p>The role requires sophisticated and extensive media relations, PR and campaigns experience, outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills and a proven track record in using media and communication channels to deliver organisational aims and objectives. Furthermore, an ability to lead and fully integrate teams across the communications spectrum and to prioritise, resolve issues and conflict is essential.</p>
<p>It is essential that in your written application you give evidence of examples of proven experience in each of the essential criteria of the person specification. These responses will be developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview.</p>
<p>The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their experience and skills against the following&nbsp;<strong>Essential Criteria:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Demonstrable success in developing and implementing compelling communications strategies in a complex organisation to enable and drive organisational objectives and priorities.</li>
<li>A proven track record of providing clear, balanced advice and professional leadership at senior management level on a wide range of strategic, operational, sensitive and complex communications issues.</li>
<li>A proven track record of successfully developing high-performing teams, leading, managing and motivating others, and a record of driving continuous improvement.</li>
<li>Experience of using effective communication and engagement techniques in respect of media relations, campaigns to protect and enhance reputation.</li>
<li>Evidence of highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills with a demonstrable ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders up to a senior level.</li>
<li>Experience of budget management, including identifying and realising no/low-cost ways of delivering communications.</li>
<li>Experience of creating innovative communication strategies using digital channels and new media.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Responsibilities</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Be the primary point of contact for and provide professional and comprehensive communications and media handling advice to the Secretary of State for Defence, Ministers and Chief of the Defence Staff.</li>
<li>Ensure a high-quality news service.</li>
<li>Oversee an interactive digitally driven communications operation that actively seeks to anticipate and influence media coverage.</li>
</ul>
<p>Closing date: 11:55 pm on Sunday 9th January 2022.</p>