EU exit department seeks head of comms for “stretching” two-year fixed term

Department for Exiting the European Union department offers up to £90,000 for candidate with “exceptional judgement” tasked with delivering a “coherent narrative”


By Jim Dunton

12 Dec 2016

The government has launched a recruitment drive to find a head of communications tasked with managing public relations for the UK’s departure from the European Union.

It said the role, within the Department for Exiting the European Union, would be classed at Senior Civil Service grade 1 and attract a salary of £70,000-£90,000 for a two-year fixed term.

According to the candidate information pack for the job, the new comms chief will have a staff of around 45 “government communicators” and be a “trusted advisor” to ministers and senior officials in the department. 


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It adds that they will “play a crucial role ensuring the cross-government communications approach to areas that are key responsibilities for DExEU are aligned and form a coherent narrative”.

Essential requirements include media handling experience and “evidence of having successfully led communication strategy and delivery in high profile areas with exceptional judgement”.

Director of planning and strategy Joanna Key said the new post was “an excellent opportunity to work in a high-profile, fact paced and stretching role at the heart of government”, supporting the delivery of a top priority.

In her foreword to the information pack she said: “You would be part of a dynamic and committed senior leadership team, working closely with your colleagues who lead on stakeholder engagement, relationships with the devolved administrations, parliament and corporate strategy.”

“There are lots of opportunities to work closely with ministers as part of a small central department, and to test new ideas and approaches to communication on a topic that everyone is talking about.”

The list of responsibilities for the role includes "work to support policy objectives in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland" in addition to work with a particular focus on campaigns related to exiting the European Union.

The application window for the post closes at 9am on January 9.

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