Deputy Head of Content and Channels

Working to the head of News you’ll transform how the Met uses its internal and external digital channels. You’ll lead a team of content producers and specialists, ensuring that they generate creative and compelling content that connects with our audiences.

Key responsibilities

Content and Channel management

To lead a 20-strong team of digital content creators who will create and execute compelling content across internal and external. Ensure our channels have optimal reach with the public and our staff.

You must be able to lead, advice and guide the team that will:

• create internal and external content plans using the most cutting edge production tools
• oversee the management of the intranet and all social channels
• plan and coordinate all content production and posting in line with the wider department
• improve our rapid response function across social media
• improve how we monitor and use this for intelligent communication responses and rebuttals. Web analytics to be used in line with industry best practice to demonstrate reach and engagement
• create audience and influencer centric strategies in response to issues of significance

Leadership

• provide strong leadership and play a full part in the wider communications senior leadership team, helping create a professional and friendly office
• provide overall support and direction to your teams, with particular attention to managing and developing their skills to build their potential
• oversee and quality assure the output of your teams across the breadth of work, from planning and executing creative proactive announcements and media strategies, to dealing reactively with breaking news stories at short notice and under pressure
• understand the Commissioner’s priorities and convey them to your team so they can communicate the key messages clearly, accurately and creatively to the media

Working relations

• reporting to the Head of News, you will lead a large team of at least 20
• you must also be able to develop excellent working relationship with senior police officers who will wish to commission the service of your team
• you will be a key member of the leadership team in communications and will need to develop supportive and collegiate relations with all members of the senior leadership team
• you must be able to represent communications when critical incidents emerge

 Scope for impact

This post plays an integral role in managing the reputation of the Met Police.

You’ll need:

• a good news sense and be able to develop a swift understanding of the Met’s internal culture and use of the intranet
• be comfortable working flexibly. Priorities can shift quickly, so resilience, initiative and an ability to run with breaking issues are important
• to be a proven leader with a track record of leading and developing high-performing teams
• be able to handle big news days in succession, while keeping sight of longer-term media strategy
• evidence of highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills used to achieve personal impact in your working relationships, ideally with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders

Role requirements

• a proven track record in leading digital teams and expertise in how the public engage with digital and social channels
• experience in directing, commissioning and managing a large volume of content on a daily basis
• a strong vision for what excellent operational communications looks like and knowledge of the capabilities, tools and expertise required to deliver them
• as a leader we expect you to take pride in pioneering new ideas and be experienced in bringing people together and breaking down boundaries
• lead a team who may have to work out of hours and at weekend.

Experience

• digital content, know what works, how content drives engagement, how to get the best from content creators. Able to contract work to suppliers or oversee in-house creation
• targeting and channel expertise, understand and be able to use and advise on the tools used to improve digital targeting and social media monitoring. Able to convert web analytic into insights to shape future plans
• audience growth and use of digital influencers. Build followers across all channels and advise on influencer strategies

Additional information

Occasional weekend and out-of-hours cover may be required.