86917 - Head of Content, Deputy Head of Digital

Number of jobs available 1

Detail of reserve list 12 Months

Region London

City/Town London

Building/Site 102 PETTY FRANCE (MOJ) LONDON, SW1H 9AJ

Grade Grade 7

Grade 7

Post Type Permanent

Working Pattern Full Time

Role Type Communications / Marketing

Head of Content, Deputy Head of Digital

Building/Site: 102 Petty France (MoJ) London, SW1H 9AJ

Grade: Grade 7

Post Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time. The role will be based at 102 petty France. We currently attend the office for a minimum of two days a week and you may be asked to attend for additional days when required.

Role Type: Strategic Communications

We are looking to appoint a Head of Content, Deputy Head of Digital to lead the production and creative strands of our busy and high-performing digital content and channels team. You will lead on quality assuring our digital creative content development, have experience in overseeing the delivery of design work, ensuring it is channel appropriate, has the end users in mind, and meet our strategic priorities.

The Ministry of Justice deals with a vast range of issues that have a profound impact on people’s lives, the digital team brings the justice system to life for everyone in society by commissioning, creating and publishing high volumes of creative, social-first content across our key priority areas - ranging from prison reform to modern justice and support for victims. It’s an extremely fast-paced and ever-changing environment, and you will play a key role in ensuring we stay ahead of the curve in the way we produce and share our digital content.

This is a new role splitting out the roles and responsibilities between our existing Deputy Head of Digital who will oversee ‘Channels and Engagement’ where this role will be responsible for ‘Content’. We are looking for an expert creative to help us communicate the work of the criminal justice system to our audiences in engaging and innovative ways. You will have a strong understanding of brand development, you will keep across trends and the changing way social media platforms treat different types of content, and you will have an instinct for innovation and risk-taking that ensures our content is seen.

You will work with the Head of Channels and Engagement (co-Deputy Head of Digital) to deliver high quality social first content that stays ahead of platform updates and embraces industry trends. You will be a key player in influencing senior colleagues on creative best practice so you will be a hands-on and strategic practitioner focused on the delivery of quality products fit for platform. You will drive our team’s creative and production efforts to develop our digital approach, based on audience insight, learning from leading organisations and influencers in this space. To succeed you will combine your extensive digital production and creative experience, with strong influencing and persuasion skills.

You will report into the Head of Digital Communications and lead talented Digital Content Managers and Social Media Videographers. You will work collaboratively with other leaders in the Strategic Communications team and wider communication directorate including Campaigns, Insight and Evaluation, Press, External Affairs and the Web Team as well as Ministers, Special Advisers and Private Office.

Importantly you will work with your manager to:

• Ensure that the team is a happy, supportive and inclusive place to be - where difference is encouraged and celebrated
• Maintain a “no-blame culture” where it is recognised that occasional mistakes and missteps are worthwhile costs of ambition and innovation
• Facilitate a space that welcomes creative challenge and big ideas - whatever your grade
• Ensure that everyone is supported and empowered to do their very best work

You can review our work here:

• YouTube:
• Twitter:
• Linkedin:
• Instagram:
• Threads:
• Facebook:

Responsibilities

• Manage Senior Digital Content Managers (SIO), Digital Content Managers (IO) and Social Media Videographers, overseeing quality output across production and content that adheres to insights and supports efficiency and innovation.
• Lead on production best practice to produce high quality, social-first content for all commissions from the No10 press grid, x-gov, campaigns, Private Office and proactives.
• Provide creative direction across content and lead on brand development and design standards including our the MoJ social media brand book and creds deck.
• Ensure accessibility guidelines are enforced and that all content produced and published across MoJ channels adheres to industry best practice and GCS guidelines.
• Participate in production, filming, editing and photography where required by business needs.
• Maintain and advance as needed our creds decks and Brand Book.
• Management and procurement of creative and production related support including but not limited to; asset file management system, relevant software (Adobe, Dropbox, Google Drive etc) and filming and photography resources (equipment and storage).
• In collaboration with the Head of Digital Communications and Head of Channels and Engagement lead the implementation of the MoJ’s digital strategy (for the MoJ group)
• Act as a lead for social media content creation and production across the MoJ group – providing expert advice and guidance to the communications directorate including upskilling and training. Where required attend cross government digital meetings and events; build strong partnerships and working relationships with other digital teams across Government and partner organisations. 
• Play an active, engaged role in the Strategic Communications team’s senior management group – supporting other functions within that team, contributing to cross-team decision making and pastoral care and helping drive standards and collaboration.
• Build capability across the team, sharing extensive knowledge of established and emerging online platform content trends and formats ensuring learnings are shared.
• Achieve the best return on investment by managing production and creative resources, maximising the use of existing assets and managing relationships with other agencies and private sector providers when required.
• Work with the Head of Channels and Engagement to identify risks to the MOJ’s reputation and service continuity, work closely with press office colleagues to mitigate risks.

Person Specification

• A proven track record in the creation and management of multimedia content for digital / social media and offline channels, including video, photography, graphics, illustrations, and animation, with a creative portfolio to evidence work delivered.
• Experience in Adobe suite workflow (InDesign, After Effects, Illustrator and Premiere Pro).
• Extensive experience in managing the delivery of high profile and effective social-first digital communications for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Threads.
• Experience in project management, able to effectively manage resources under pressure to deliver multiple competing projects on time.
• Strong negotiation and persuasion skills, with the confidence to provide best practice advice to senior officials and ministers.
• A passion for, and detailed knowledge of digital communications best practice. Closely monitor social media developments and platform updates tailoring our content accordingly to keep our communications relevant and help the MoJ stand out.
• The ability to make strategic decisions by having strong analytical skills, using data and content performance to improve communications approaches with a commitment to continual improvement via a ‘test, learn and iterate’ approach. 
• Excellent written and oral communications skills reflecting the need to explain complex policy areas to non-specialist audiences in a clear and engaging way.
• The ability to tell relevant and authentic stories about the complex work involved in the criminal justice system.
• Experience leading teams to perform at their best, developing their skills and helping them to grow and innovate with proven ability to build and maintain a positive, motivating and inclusive work culture.

Application Process

We will be using success profiles to assess your communication and leadership abilities.

When considering applying please look at how your experience relates to the role, and within your CV and 1000-word Personal Statement please provide detailed evidence of your experience.

Interview / Selection Process

If selected for interview, you will be asked to present your portfolio in answer a question sent to you in advance.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

A nnual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices . You can determine your eligibility at  .
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles . Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here )

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why. 

For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:

• You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
• You were studying abroad
• You were living overseas with parents

In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.

Success Profiles

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please  click here for further guidance .

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.

Experience

CV

Statement of Suitability - 1000 word limit

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.

Behaviours

Leadership

Seeing the Big Picture

Delivering at Pace

Technical Skills

Communication – Ideas: Digital

Communication – Insight: Digital

Additional Assessment(s)

Presentation

Any candidate who has been assessed as being appointable to the role they applied for may be offered a similar, lower grade role, if one is available. Furthermore, any candidate who has just missed meeting the criteria for a particular role, may be appointed to a similar role at a lower grade if such a role is available, and if they have been assessed as meeting the criteria for the lower grade role. These appointments will also be made in merit order.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit :

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

· nationals of the Republic of Ireland

· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) 

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service