Deputy Head of News: Ministry of Justice

Background

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is recruiting for a Deputy Head of News, a pivotal leadership role in our communications team. This position carries significant influence and responsibility and helps drive a high-performing team. The press office is dedicated to communicating strategically to help deliver the MoJ’s major reform programmes, as well as leading the crisis communications activity that arises in such a big, operational department.

Our press operation is highly valued by the Secretary of State and Ministers for shaping narratives and influencing departmental work. Our policy agenda frequently makes headlines - from reforming prisons and probation to improve public safety, to delivering ambitious court reform, and enhancing how the justice system serves victims.

About the role

As Deputy Head of News, you will be responsible for helping deliver a sophisticated, responsive 24/7 media operation serving Ministers, Special Advisers, Executive Agencies and senior officials across the department's extensive portfolio.

You will provide strategic leadership to specialist communication teams developing proactive media strategies. The role demands exceptional political judgement, strategic thinking, strong collaboration skills and crisis management capabilities.

This post is also a member of the Communications Directorate Senior Leadership Team and is expected to play a role, not just within press office but also the wider directorate, to provide and model good leadership, deliver a strong L&D offer and a supportive culture that gives people the best possible chance of enjoying their work and reaching their potential.

Key responsibilities

You will be expected to:

• Deputise for the Head of News.

• Manage a modern media team in developing proactive longer-term handling strategies that set the agenda across the full range of channels.

• Play a full part in the press office senior management team. Act as a leader in the office, play a full role in delivering your part of our communications strategy, give clear direction and support and help the smooth running of the unit, in and out of hours.

• Take responsibility for managing and developing communications skills on your team to achieve the best performance and help your team and its individual members reach their potential.

• Help create and lead an exceptional working environment with a strong focus on team culture, wellbeing and L&D.

• Oversee media handling advice on policy briefs to the Secretary of State, Ministers, senior officials and colleagues on sensitive, complex and high-profile issues.

• Understand the Departmental and Ministerial priorities and convey them to your team so they can communicate the key messages clearly, accurately and creatively to media.

• Anticipate and spot breaking news stories and drive your team to issue swift, robust and appropriate responses.

• Have personal impact in the full range of media work from briefing journalists to advising ministers face to face.

• Work closely with teams across the Communications Directorate to support strategic alignment and drive collaboration across the various communications functions

• Ensure the team are using the full range of channels in promoting our priorities, maximising digital tools and using relevant insight to get the best possible results.

This post is site-specific to London and will report to the Head of News. You will also be expected to participate in a management back-up rota for the out-of-hours duty press officers, for which generous overtime payments are provided.

Essential Criteria

• Experience and expertise in communicating strategically at a senior government level

• Proven leadership experience in high-pressure media environments

• Strong motivation and capability to create and lead an exceptional working environment with a strong focus on team culture, wellbeing and L&D

• Exceptional news judgement, with sophisticated understanding of traditional and digital media landscapes

• Advanced political acumen and ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments

• Confidence in making critical decisions with significant public and political implications

• Ability to build strong relationships with ministers, special advisers, and senior officials

• Track record of managing crisis communications and complex reputational issues

• Evidence of driving innovation in multi-channel communication approaches

Application stage

To apply, please provide a copy of your CV, along with a statement of suitability that demonstrates how your skills and experience align with the essential criteria of “’eadership’, 'Insight', and 'Implementation'.

Interview stage

At interview, you will be expected to complete a short written exercise, as well as deliver a short presentation. You will then be assessed against the below Civil Service behaviours, and Government Communications Service technical behvaiours, with particular emphasis on the ‘Press and Media’ discipline.

Behaviours:

Communications: Insight - press and media

• Provide authoritative understanding of complex policy issues and public sentiment

• Deliver strategic communication counsel to ministers and senior officials

• Lead the analysis of emerging media trends to anticipate challenges and opportunities

• Use sophisticated data insights to inform strategic communication decisions

Communications: Ideas - press and media

• Develop comprehensive, integrated communication strategies across multiple platforms

• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of the evolving media ecosystem

• Create innovative approaches that position the department effectively in the media

• Provide authoritative advice at the highest levels on sensitive communications issues

• Design sophisticated strategies to enhance ministerial and departmental reputation

Communications: Implementation - press and media

• Lead the execution of complex communication strategies with political sensitivity

• Represent the department authoritatively in high-profile media situations

• Take personal responsibility for managing highly sensitive topics with senior journalists

• Provide decisive leadership in crisis scenarios and development of comprehensive response strategies

• Coordinate sophisticated cross-platform communications for maximum impact

Communications: Impact - press and media

• Lead comprehensive evaluation of communications effectiveness using advanced metrics

• Apply data-driven insights to shape departmental media strategy

• Establish communication best practices across the press office and wider department

• Demonstrate clear return on investment for strategic communication activities

Civil Service Behaviours:

• Leadership: Provide authoritative leadership, defend strategic decisions, and inspire teams to deliver excellence

• Seeing the Big Picture - Seeing the big picture is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs and the national interest.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary range: £73,115 - £83,585 (Grade 6)

• Existing civil servants on level transfer will retain their current pay

• Generous overtime payments for out-of-hours work

Working Arrangements

• This strategic post is London-based, reporting directly to the Head of News.

• The MoJ offers flexible working arrangements, though the senior nature of this role requires flexibility and availability during critical periods.

• Participation in the out-of-hours senior backup duty rota is required.

For further information, please contact Ben.Stack@justice.gov.uk