Communications Manager

Salary: £36,734 - £40,344 plus Civil Service pension (28.97% employer contribution)
Location: Richmond (Greater London) or Manchester, hybrid
Grade: Higher Executive Officer
Contract: Fixed term, 2 years (loan/secondment also considered); full-time, flexible working and job share available
Closing date: 11:55pm, 18 November 2026

Job summary

The communications team at DCMS is a friendly, creative and collaborative team working to tell compelling stories about the work we do and the sectors we support.

It's an exciting time to join us, with plenty of opportunities to bring fresh ideas, shape how we work and make your mark.

Our work is varied and fast-paced, covering a wide range of high-profile issues that matter to people across the UK. We work closely with colleagues across the department and value creativity, curiosity and a willingness to try new approaches.

Above all, we're a supportive team that looks out for one another, particularly during busy periods.

Job description

Are you a creative, proactive and results-focused communications professional with a passion for delivering impactful campaigns, news and engaging digital content? If so, we want to hear from you.

You will be a key member of the communications team, supporting the development and delivery of high-profile paid and no/low cost campaigns, news or digital content that reach and engage audiences across the UK. From promoting growth and opportunity across DCMS sectors to identifying PR opportunities and developing innovative, audience-led approaches and partnerships, you will help deliver communications that make an impact.

A self-starter, you will build effective relationships internally and externally, representing the department while bringing creativity, energy and fresh thinking to our work. This fast-paced role requires a proactive team player with the ability to work across multiple projects, spot new opportunities, and bring enthusiasm to everything they do.

Essential requirements

• Experience of supporting the design and delivery of paid-for and no/low cost communications campaigns to deliver impactful, audience-led results.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective internal (including ministerial) and external working relationships.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities at pace.
• Proven ability to write clear, accurate and engaging content for different audiences and purposes, including press releases, statements, lines to take and social media content.
• Experience of handling media enquiries, drafting responses and building relationships with journalists - including new media.
• Experience of creating, editing and publishing content across digital channels, including websites and social media, with an understanding of how to tailor content for different platforms and audiences.
• Proven ability to use data and analytics tools to monitor the performance of digital content and channels.

Desirable skills

• Awareness of the GCS communications professional assurance process.
• Experience working within or closely with DCMS sectors.
• Experience supporting the management of agency contracts and working with external suppliers to deliver campaign activity.

An information session hosted by Holly Dunkley will take place on 12 November 2026 at 11am to find out more about the role, the team and the department. Register your interest via the form on the advert.

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

Assessed in line with the government communications technical specifications: insight, ideas, implementation and impact.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
• 26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
• 3 days of paid volunteering leave
• Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
• Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
• Occupational sick pay
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
• Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks
• Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work
• Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!

How to apply

• A CV (max 2 A4 pages) setting out your career history, key responsibilities and achievements, entered in the "Job History" section of the application form
• A Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) showing how your skills and experience meet the essential requirements
• Interviews take place remotely via Teams, assessing behaviours, plus a presentation to assess technical skills
• New entrants join on the minimum of the pay band. Successful candidates need a basic criminal record check and counter-terrorist check (CTC) clearance
• Open to UK nationals and certain other groups with the right to work in the UK; see the advert for full nationality requirements

Contact: Holly Dunkley, holly.dunkley@dcms.gov.uk