Media and Communications Manager

Eligibility 

This role is open to House of Commons, Parliamentary Digital Service and R&R Client Team employees only. 

Introduction 

You will be working in the Select Committee Team (SCT), supporting the work of the House of Common’s Select Committees. Select Committees are cross-party Committees of MPs who examine government policy and spending. You can find out more about who Select Committees are and what they do here.

SCT provides support and advice for all aspects of the work of select committees. This post is part of SCT Communications, a team of media, communications, digital and engagement professionals that provides a dedicated service to around 30 Select Committees.

The Role 

As one of three Media and Communications Managers, you will work at a strategic level within SCT Communications working together with senior colleagues from Digital and Publishing and External Engagement to provide an end-to-end communications service to committees. You will report to the Director of Select Committee Communications and Engagement, who provides strategic leadership within SCT on matters relating to communications, media (including social media), communications and engagement within the context of the broader framework for effective scrutiny and the strategic approach to communications across the House of Commons Service.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Plan and organise work across their group of committees in line with the priorities of the Media and Communications Service and broader SCT Communications deliverables in line with the House of Commons Administration Strategy.
• Manage and support direct reports to meet the media and communications needs of the Select Committees, guided by in-house development tools such as Coach & Focus to support individual development, target-setting and priorities in relation to workload management.
• Actively maintain a duty of care to staff by championing the SCT Standards of Service.
• Advise on and oversee the development of media and communications plans and strategic messaging, and risk management while encouraging innovation and experimentation;
• Establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant journalists in national and regional print, broadcast and digital media, and ensure that they are regularly and fully briefed;

Skills and Experience 

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• An ability to motivate and line manage a team: setting targets and objectives, monitoring performance, giving feedback and supporting the personal and professional development of staff.
• Significant experience in journalism and/or external communications roles, with a strong news sense and an ability to use this to deliver media coverage to support a Committee’s aims.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience of building good working relationships.
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing, and to persuade and influence at all levels, building consensus with colleagues.

Next Steps and Additional Information

• Application Form - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 1,2 & 4 in the Job Description. 

More information on the role and the full criteria and responsibilities can be found in the Job Description. 

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