The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) works across public health, the NHS and adult social care, covering one of the widest remits in the public sector. It is responsible for ensuring everyone can access the health and care they need – from supporting people to have the best start in life to staying in good health and living as independently as they can.

COVID-19 is the biggest challenge the country and our public sector have faced in a lifetime. DHSC is central to the government’s response and, as a result, the department has adapted to these unprecedented times. Work on COVID-19 is the single most important operational and policy focus for the whole department and wider health and social care system.

The department has also been working towards meeting the government’s manifesto commitments, including to expand the number of appointments in general practice by 50 million a year by 2024-25 and growing the general practice workforce by 6,000 more doctors and 26,000 more primary care professionals.

Our award-winning communications division is one of the largest and busiest in government and is now looking for an exceptional Deputy Director, Head of Media Relations, with experience of working in a complex environment that is subject to media attention and public scrutiny. You will lead a team of communications professionals in promoting and supporting DHSC’s policies and priorities.

We are looking for an experienced communicator who will bring energy, experience and dynamism to the role. They will oversee management of a 24-hour media service managing risk and reputation, delivering real time rebuttal as well as creative, original proactive media moments.

They will understand the importance of choosing the right channel in delivering messages and that social media plans are built into both proactive and reactive communications handling. They will also ensure their team engage with, and build support from, partners across the health and social care sector, charities, science and business to support their communication objectives, in addition to working closely with government stakeholders and the media.

As part of the senior management team you are responsible for designing and delivering effective multi-channel communications campaigns that cut through are based on insight and help deliver organisational objectives.

We can offer you a competitive package, an excellent range of training and development opportunities, a friendly and supportive team and, above all, the chance to play a key role in communicating some of the most important issues in society today.

A background in the health/social care sector is not an essential requirement for this role, but you will be required to demonstrate a proven track record of successful communications management in high profile areas. This is a fantastic opportunity and if you are excited by this agenda and think you can meet the challenges; we look forward to hearing from you.

The role requires someone with the full range of modern communications skills – the ability to use insight and evaluation to drive campaigns, experience of fully integrating digital into proactive and reactive work and a deep understanding of the current media landscape.

However, even more critical to your success in this role will be your outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills, your ability to lead and fully integrate teams across the communications spectrum and to prioritise, resolve issues and conflict.

It is essential in your application that you provide evidence and proven examples in each of the following selection criteria below in so far as you are able. These responses will be developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview.

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 21st March 2021.