JOB SUMMARY

The Department for Education (DfE) is looking for a confident and motivated Strategic Communications Planner (IO).
This is a demanding and challenging role, but a hugely rewarding one at a time when education is one of the top domestic priorities for the country – leading the Opportunity Mission – one of five key missions for the new government and its Plan for Change priorities. You will have a unique opportunity to operate at the very heart of Government in a major policy and delivery department - the Department for Education (DfE) is responsible for a big brief on social policy covering everything from early years, primary through to post 16 education and skills and apprenticeships – all high on the agenda for the new mission-led approach emerging from government. Whether we are changing attitudes, supporting the recruitment of frontline professionals or encouraging the next generation of apprentices, our communications can change lives.

JOB DESCRIPTION

You will be part of the planning team within our strategic communications function. You will work with the senior planner and team leader, as well as senior managers and private offices of ministers (and advisers) to help set, shape and deliver communications plans aligned to developing and new strategies of Mission-led activity that reach our audiences in the most impactful way. Cutting through the often fragmented media landscape and busy political commentary to land key messages.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan the timing of media and campaign output of the Department, ensuring announcements and events are timed to maximise cut-through, minimise risks, as well as support the delivery of our priorities.
• Advise and work with a wide range of colleagues across the Department including Ministers’ offices, communications colleagues, Special Advisors and policy leads (and Arms Length Bodies) to ensure a strategic approach is aligned to deliver the DfE’s priorities and Number 10 and Opportunity Mission narratives and communicate our messages in a timely way to our key audiences.
• Take the lead on the department’s main grid which tracks longer term and cross government communications activity, and links it to key audiences and themes set out in the DfE communications strategy and complementing delivery plans.
• Manage, develop and administer communications planning products, including weekly media grids, long term grids and strategic grids.
• Represent DfE at the No10 weekly grid meeting and provide briefing on the department’s upcoming announcements. Negotiate grid slots with the Grid Planners at No10 to ensure the department’s business fits with wider government priorities.
• Work with Other Government Departments and those driving the four other Missions to ensure a joined up approach on joint announcements and cross government working.
  So - are you a great communicator? Can you oversee a complex range of fast-moving projects? Can you negotiate with tenacity and keep many plates spinning at once? Do you like building on the latest insight and seeing how large multi-million pound campaigns will work alongside media, stakeholder and parliamentary engagement to drive forward our purpose?