Communications Director Full Time

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is one of the largest Departments in Whitehall. Its Secretary of State, Grant Shapps MP, and his Ministerial team want to demonstrate the role of the Department in growing the UK economy. The Department has a large, complex and important portfolio and is responsible for the delivery of security of energy supply, ensuring greater energy efficiency of UK homes and businesses and responsibility across Whitehall in seizing the opportunities of Net Zero.

The Role

This is a fantastic chance to work at the centre of the Department, as its Director of Communications, offering challenging work on some of the biggest issues facing the country. Communications has a pivotal role to play in engaging the public to understand the work of the government, building trust including through partnerships and collaboration, and changing behaviour through targeted marketing campaigns.

The Department s aims include breaking new ground in Government communications and building on our growing track record of digital-first communications.

We are looking for a leading communications professional with creative ideas, a digital-first approach to communications, exceptional news judgment and management and leadership skills.

We are seeking a candidate who can tell stories that change people s behaviours and enhance their understanding of our priorities. Joining a recently created Department as our first permanent Director of Communications you will have the opportunity to shape, develop and lead a team of talented, diverse communications and media professionals, working closely with colleagues across the Department, with its Secretary of State and other ministers.

The Communications Directorate at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero delivers communications to engage wide audiences, build trust, change behaviour and deliver outcomes. TheCommunication Directorate is proud to help citizens and businesses navigate a rapidly changing world.

The team does this by:

• Setting the news agenda for the Department and understanding how to identify news hooks to make complex policy announcements into compelling, simple to understand stories.
• Setting a clear narrative to frame all the Department s work and external communication.
• Changing behaviour through marketing campaigns to improve lives and the country for the better.
• Engaging mass market audiences creatively by explaining and promoting the Department, especially through social media and other digital channels, so that people understand its work and why it matters using evidence, real-world examples, and great storytelling.
• Building trust using partnerships and collaborations inside and outside the Department to inspire confidence in us and HM Government.
• Delivering outcomes by aiding the delivery of government policy by providing expert advice which reflects the world outside using creative comms strategies which are insight-led, and outcome focused.

You will lead a team of approximately 90 professionals covering all aspects of communications: strategic communications, data and insight, media and external affairs, digital, marketing and PR, and internal communications.

As a relatively new team in the recently created Department you will be responsible for coaching and developing a high performing team, setting direction, driving innovation in the development of the most modern communications techniques, as well as setting the highest professional standards.

You will be an important member of the senior leadership team, sitting on the Department s Executive Committee and providing oversight of internal communications at a crucial time of change towards hybrid working and expansion in sites outside of London.

Advert closing date: 23.55 on Monday 29th May