Location

City of Westminster, London, SW1P 4DR

About the job 

Do you have a flair for strategic communications? 

Are you passionate about shaping policy from a communications perspective? 

If so, this exciting opportunity as our Communications Manager is for you, and we’d love to hear from you.

Job description

People want safe, reliable and affordable journeys. But more people are travelling, and we’re going further than ever before. Our roads, airports and trains are becoming crowded. That’s why we are undertaking the biggest modernisation programme for a generation, bringing our transport system into the 21st Century. We are already delivering better transport that works for everyone in Britain, and there is more to come. 

As a Communications Manager in the Department for Transport, you will have the unique opportunity to work in a key policy area such as roads, rail, aviation, maritime, technology or Brexit, and you will be at the centre of communications delivery for some of the most high-profile projects in Government. 

You will be responsible for providing strategic communications advice to Ministers, colleagues and external stakeholders, and for shaping and delivering communications and campaigns in support of the Government’s priorities. 

You will be part of the Government Communication Service profession, working closely with other communications colleagues in the Department and other Government Departments. You will have the opportunity to work daily with colleagues in press office, external affairs, digital and internal communications.
 

Responsibilities

Your duties and responsibilities will include: 
• Planning, shaping, delivering and evaluating insight-based communications strategies and campaigns – including media, digital content and stakeholder engagement – working closely with colleagues across policy, the communications directorate and with our external partners 
• Liaising across the Department, Government and with relevant external stakeholders, to build and maintain effective relationships, and to drive efficient and high-quality communications 
• Advising policy teams and Ministers on communications proposals, risks and opportunities 
• Providing professional communications advice and leadership within a key policy area, developing strategies and forward planning communications activity 
• Holding transport delivery partners to account for their own commitments to communicate with their audiences. 

About you 

You have previous experience of planning, managing, implementing and evaluating communications campaigns with pride and dedication. 

You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, presenting your recommendations and proposals professionally and persuasively to key stakeholders. You have the ability to tailor your delivery to suit your audience to maximise impact and understanding. You demonstrate confidence in dealing with people at all levels and have the credibility to advise and influence at a senior level. 

You are exceptionally organised with the capability to manage emerging and conflicting demands in a changing environment. You are a strategic thinker who can offer a creative direction for your team. 

About us 

We are part of the Department for Transport (DfT). DfT is a great place to work, and our ‘one team’ approach really makes a difference. We value our staff and that’s why we’re committed to nurturing an inclusive environment across the Department. 

You’ll be part of an innovative organisation that invests in all our people, ensuring we have the diverse skills to deliver transport that moves Britain ahead now and into the future. 

 
Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport. 

DfT has been recognised for its leadership on workplace gender equality by being included in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2017. 

DfT’s inclusion is recognition of our commitment to make the Department a great place to work through our culture of equality and inclusivity and the great strides we’ve made to raise the number of women in senior positions.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Government Communication Framework - Core Competency: Insight - level 3
• Government Communication Framework - Core Competency: Ideas - level 3
• Government Communication Framework - Core Competency: Implementation - level 3
• Government Communication Framework - Core Competency: Impact - level 3

Benefits Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

To view the Government Communication Professional Competency Framework click here 

When considering your experience, please tailor your CV and personal statement to provide evidence of when you have: 
• Played a central role in planning, managing, implementing and evaluating a communications campaign from start to finish 
• Provided high-quality strategic communications advice to senior colleagues and spokespeople 
• Engaged with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver impactful communications 
• Motivated colleagues by giving enthusiastic and encouraging messages about plans, priorities and objectives 

The sift is due to take place 06/09/2019. 

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held week commencing 23/09/2019. 

Interview location to be confirmed. 

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment could include: 

• an interview with one or more exercises 

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. For further information on Success Profiles please click here 

Your interview may consist of a range of question types. These may include questions about: 
• what energises and motivates you 
• how you would manage situations relevant to the role 
• your previous experience 
• your professional skills and knowledge 

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. 

Further Information 

We have adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel. 

We may hold a merit list for up to twelve months. During this time, if a similar role is identified and you have been placed on the merit list you may be considered for the post. Within the merit list period, your application form and selection information may be shared across the department and its agencies. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out. 

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 

Reasonable adjustment 
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 
Any move to the Department for Transport will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name :   Benjamin Garratt Email :   [email protected]   Recruitment team : Email :   [email protected] Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission