Job Description

Job description
As Head of News, you will work closely with the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State, Ministers, their advisers, and the senior leadership team to provide expert communications advice on the potential benefits and presentational risks of decisions and policies, on handling announcements and on breaking news.
With a proven track record in high profile arenas, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate extensive experience of working in a complex environment that is subject to significant public, political and media scrutiny.
Reporting to the Director of Communications, you will lead a 24/7 team of highly experienced communication professionals that handle over 8000 calls a year. You will act as the senior representative on media issues internally with senior officials, No.10, across Government, and externally with journalists, editors, opinion formers and other stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
Providing expert communications advice to Ministers, advisers and senior officials on the opportunities and presentational risks of decisions and policies, on handling announcements and on responding to breaking news.
Developing proactive and creative PR and media strategies, which use a strong mix of channels, and build public support for policy decisions or major projects.
Leading a strong performing press office and running a high quality, proactive and reactive media service. Responding rapidly to fast-moving events and providing senior cover in an out-of-hours duty rota when required.
Improving the Department's ability to communicate effectively during a crisis and managing incident communications for MoJ and its wider network as required.
Building excellent relationships with No. 10, other government departments and agencies and ALB's within MoJ to make sure the Department's communications and policy objectives contribute to the wider government narrative.
Developing excellent working relationships with journalists and a good understanding of their priorities to promote accurate and fair media coverage. Seeking opportunities to proactively champion the work of the MoJ in the media. Building an effective network across the Justice sector to deliver third party support and advocacy.
Ensuring media work is evaluated and any actionable insight is shared across the team and used to drive improvements and increase impact.
Acting as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team in the Communications Directorate, working collaboratively with senior colleagues to deliver the Department's Communications Strategy, and playing an active role in corporate initiatives that improve engagement.
Budgetary responsibility for the Press Office team and the management of a range of media and media-related services resources.
As a senior member of the Government Communications Service play an active role in supporting our profession to develop talent and deliver best practice.
Essential Experience:
A senior media professional with excellent news judgement, a digital understanding and with extensive experience in a news-related role at a senior level in a complex environment.
Proven experience of managing high-profile, fast-moving, and sensitive news issues and providing well-reasoned handling advice.
Experience of managing competing priorities and changing deadlines and delivering a highly organised and efficient service.
An understanding of your role as part of the GCS leadership.
Excellent political awareness demonstrated through sound judgement and the ability to drive communications approaches from the overall organisational priorities.
Additional Information
This role is being offered on a temporary basis of up to 7 months. The role is available on lateral move or temporary promotion for current employees across the Civil Service.
You will be expected to return to your home business area and to your substantive grade at the end of the loan period.
Please note that due to the requirement to fill the role quickly, interviews are anticipated to be 18th or 19th December 2025.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Skills Required