Social Media Manager

Salary: National £41,750 - £44,250; London £45,750 - £48,250 (plus £2,300 Recruitment and Retention Allowance and Civil Service Pension with 28.97% employer contribution)

Location: Birmingham, Salford or London (hybrid, 60-100% workplace attendance depending on business need)

Job type: Fixed term, 12 months (maternity cover), full-time or part-time (minimum 29.5 hours per week)

Closing date: 11:55pm, Monday 19th October 2026

About HMICFRS

HMICFRS independently assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces and fire and rescue services – in the public interest. We promote improvements in policing and fire and rescue services to make everyone safer.

We are independent of the Government, police and fire and rescue services. We ask the questions that we believe the public wish to have answered and produce major reports that shine a light on issues at the very heart of policing and fire and rescue services. Our reports are widely covered by the media and help inform the public of the performance of their local police forces and fire and rescue services.

Working at HMICFRS gives you an opportunity to make a real difference to the quality of local police and fire and rescue services and the lives of the public. HMICFRS is a unique organisation with staff seconded or loaned from across the Civil Service, police forces and fire and rescue services.

If you would like to talk to someone about this role, please contact Jessica.Baird3@hmicfrs.gov.uk.

Job description

The Social Media Manager is responsible for delivering social media campaigns, managing all HMICFRS social media channels and working with senior policing and fire leaders on topics that directly impact everyone and are often on the front pages or leading news bulletins.

We are looking for a creative, proactive and experienced communications professional to join our team. You will be a team player who is passionate about using communications to drive measurable change.

The role of the Social Media Manager (HEO) is to manage HMICFRS's social media channels and support the delivery of HMICFRS's press office, working with the Media Manager (SEO) and Head of Media (G7).

You'll be devising creative social media strategies to target our audiences, creating social media graphics, filming senior spokespeople and evaluating your work thoroughly, as well as supporting the team with drafting press releases, media Q&As and other media materials.

Our work is widely covered by the media and our social media presence continues to grow. Recent high-profile reports include the annual state of policing report and national reports on events policing and firearms licensing.

You will have a strong track record in devising and delivering compelling social media campaigns that build engagement, awareness and trust with external audiences. You will also have excellent planning and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex information into compelling content across a range of channels.

Responsibilities

• Designing and delivering creative social media plans
• Managing the day-to-day delivery of all HMICFRS social media channels, continuing to grow our social media presence and engagement
• Creating social media graphics and filming and editing videos
• Using insight and evaluation to continually improve our communications output
• Supporting the delivery of the HMICFRS press office, including media monitoring, drafting press releases, media Q&As and other media materials, facilitating media interviews and responding to media enquiries from journalists
• Supporting the media team out-of-hours on call roster

Essential criteria

• Experience of social media management, including content production and campaign planning
• Experience of video and audio editing and digital design skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• A proven ability to build and manage relationships with stakeholders internally and externally

Desirable criteria

• Experience in a press office, PR agency, journalism or similar, including experience of drafting press releases and other media materials

Behaviours assessed

• Communicating and Influencing (lead behaviour, assessed on the application form)
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture

Location and working arrangements

HMICFRS has a Head Office in Birmingham and regional offices in London (Canary Wharf) and Salford, and this role can be located in any of them. London-based roles are in scope to move outside London no later than 2030. The role involves a significant amount of national and occasional international travel, frequently involving overnight stays.

Benefits

• Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Recruitment and Retention Allowance of £2,300 per annum (non-pensionable)
• Learning and development tailored to your role, including coaching, mentoring and five days volunteering per year
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Selection process

You'll be asked to complete a CV (for information only), a Personal Statement (maximum 750 words) aligned to the essential criteria, and evidence of the Communicating and Influencing behaviour. Sift: w/c 19 October. Interviews by video link: w/c 2 November.

Things you need to know

• External applicants will be offered a fixed term contract; existing civil servants will be considered on a loan basis
• Successful candidates must undergo a Counter-Terrorist Check and basic criminal record check
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band
• This role can only be worked within the UK