Campaigns and External Affairs Manager

Job summary

The Communications team is made up of specialists who lead on all aspects of media, PR, campaigns, digital, strategic communications, external affairs and internal communications for DCMS. We provide a complete communications service complete communications to the media, department and ministers. 

The Campaigns and Strategic Communications team sets the communications strategy for the department and manages both short-term and long-term forward looks. The team ensures that communication is led by audience insight and policy understanding and is properly planned and evaluated. The team plays a vital role in delivering paid-for, low/no-cost campaigns and co-ordinating external affairs activity whilst also galvanising different communications disciplines around Ministerial priorities.

The role reports into the Senior Campaigns and Strategic Communications Manager.

Job description

Are you a talented communications professional with significant experience in external affairs, strategic planning and campaign delivery? Would you like to play a key role in developing the department’s evolving external affairs work, as part of a talented and supportive team, as well as working on some of the most interesting topics in Government? If so, we want to hear from you.

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) deals with some of the most interesting, diverse policies in Government.

You will be experienced with developing relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders and proactively identify opportunities for fruitful or long-term partnerships to bring our work to life for audiences across the country. 

You will manage the planning, development and delivery of a range of high-profile and important paid and no/low cost campaigns across DCMS sectors. You will be an experienced and resilient communications professional who is enthusiastic, passionate about your work, enjoys delivery and demonstrates strategic, big-picture thinking as well as the ability to work at pace and influence senior stakeholders, such as ministers, special advisers and policy officials.

Person specification

The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and requirements: 

Essential Requirements:

• Team-player, with experience managing and delivering proactive communications campaigns to a high standard, thinking creatively, trialling new methods, and evaluating outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience of building relationships with key external stakeholders. Forming partner networks to support wider government objectives and campaign delivery.
• Resourceful and able to identify and leverage low/no cost opportunities for partnerships that meet communications objectives and outcomes.
• Enthusiastic self-starter who can work at pace, prioritise competing demands, horizon-scan and be responsive to change. Ability to work well under pressure and be flexible and resilient to short deadlines or changing requests.
• Skilled in problem-solving and finding solutions within complex structures and frameworks with excellent oral and written communication skills, prioritising audience and insight to create clear and engaging communications.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience of using the Government Communications Service OASIS model to deliver communications activity.
• Experience of commissioning and managing external creative agencies and managing the associated financial and procurement processes to deliver best value.