The Department for Education (DfE) is responsible for children’s services and education, including early years, schools, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England. The DfE plays a vital role in shaping education and skills across very stage of life, while also safeguarding children’s wellbeing. Its work underpins the Growth Mission and also leads the Government’s Opportunity Mission, aimed at breaking the link between background and success to improve life chances for all.
By working collaboratively across government and beyond, the department creates the conditions for children and learners to thrive today and succeed tomorrow.
The DfE is supported by around 8,000 staff across 12 sites including Coventry, Darlington, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Sheffield, and it works with18 Arm’s Length Bodies.
We are seeking an outstanding Director of Communications who is motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting difference, to lead a high-performing directorate of over ~150 staff across this Department. The Deputy Director cohort within this directorate has a strong government background, and we welcome applications from individuals with diverse leadership experiences.
Essential criteria:
•Recent proven success in leading innovative, high-impact communication strategies for large, complex organisations, with a strong focus on harnessing social media, digital platforms, and AI technologies.
•Proven leadership in delivering effective change and transformation programmes that support reform of communications operations, embrace emerging technologies, and align communications with broader strategic goals.
•Demonstrated ability to balance strategic and reactive communications, using data, audience insight and clear metrics – combined with strong political acumen and sound judgement on sensitive and high-profile issues
•Exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to quickly build trust and credibility with senior stakeholders, including up to Board and Ministerial level (or equivalent). Demonstrated success in leading through complexity and ambiguity, and across organisational boundaries.
•A track record of building engaged, inclusive and high-performing teams at scale, working effectively across and between organisations.
The closing date for applications is:
Sunday 24 August at 23:55pm.
Please download the candidate brief for further information on the role and how to apply.
Berwick Partners