Senior Press Officer - Job Description (Merged Version)

Grade: SEO / SIO

Location: MoJ Press Office, 102 Petty France

Appointment Type: Temporary Promotion / Loan

Duration: 6-12 months (subject to business need)

Background

Justice issues frequently lead the national news agenda and the Ministry of Justice continues to deliver one of the most ambitious and high-profile policy programmes in government. From prison capacity and probation performance to courts reform and victim support, the department works in a fast-moving, challenging, and highly scrutinised media environment.

This role sits within the MoJ Press Office as part of a supportive and experienced team. As a Senior Press Officer, you will lead on complex and sensitive media issues, provide high-quality strategic communications advice, and help shape how the department communicates its priorities to the public. At points, the role may include providing communications support on cross-government issues or to senior ministers, including when the Deputy Prime Minister is acting in the Prime Minister’s place. However, this will form only part of the portfolio and is not expected to be the primary or long-term focus of the role.

About the Role

Senior Press Officers are expected to set the standard for excellent media handling across the department. You will manage a small team, work confidently with ministers and senior officials, and lead proactive and reactive media strategies on some of the most sensitive and high-profile issues in government.

You will work closely with colleagues across the MoJ, other government departments, agencies and partners, and—where required—support cross-government handling in collaboration with No10 and the Cabinet Office.

The role also contributes to the out-of-hours rota (overtime paid).

Key Responsibilities

• Develop proactive, longer-term media handling strategies and provide high-quality, timely advice to ministers, senior officials and policy teams on complex, high-profile issues.

• Anticipate, identify and respond quickly to breaking news stories, drafting robust and accurate lines under pressure.

• Use the full range of channels to promote departmental priorities, maximising digital opportunities and applying insight to shape effective campaigns.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with ministers’ offices, special advisers, senior civil servants, journalists, stakeholders and counterparts across government.

• Ensure media handling is fully aligned with wider communications strategies, working closely with colleagues across digital, campaigns, external affairs and internal communications.

• Understand departmental and ministerial priorities and communicate key messages clearly, creatively and accurately.

• Lead, support and develop team members, providing direction, feedback and effective line management.

• Where required, support cross-government handling on sensitive or high-stakes issues, including occasionally supporting senior ministers such as the Deputy Prime Minister in periods where they are acting on behalf of the Prime Minister. This will be proportionate and integrated alongside core MoJ responsibilities.

Person Specification

Essential skills and experience:

• Proven experience in a busy media, communications or press office environment, with strong news judgement and experience handling sensitive or high-profile issues.

• Experience advising ministers, senior leaders or other high-profile stakeholders with confidence and clarity.

• Strong political awareness and ability to understand and navigate a fast-moving policy and news landscape.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce sharp reactive lines, high-quality briefing materials and effective long-term strategies.

• Ability to build trusted relationships quickly, including with journalists, special advisers, policy colleagues and other government departments.

• Leadership experience - motivating, managing or mentoring others to deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable:

• Experience working on cross-government, international, or crisis communications.

• Knowledge of the Justice system or previous government communications experience.

Behaviours (Civil Service Success Profiles)

• Communicating and Influencing

• Seeing the Bigger Picture

Technical Skills (GCS Professional Framework)

• Insight - Ensuring plans reflect policy development and the emerging media landscape.

• Ideas - Leading proactive and reactive media strategies that use insight and data effectively.

• Implementation - Managing high-profile media issues, drafting compelling content and ensuring high standards of accuracy and timeliness.

• Impact - Evaluating media handling activity and using analysis to improve future approaches.

Application Process

Please submit a 500-word statement of suitability outlining your relevant experience and how you meet the responsibilities and skills required for this role.