Strategic Communications Manager

The Met Office is recruiting for a Strategic Communications Manager to join the team on a 2 year FTC although there is the potential for this to develop into a permanent position.

his role will nominally be based in Exeter but we will consider applicants wishing to work elsewhere within the UK

As our Strategic Communications Manager , the starting salary will be £37418.00 with opportunities to progress to £41159.00 over time. New joiners to the Met Office will start on the salary band minima.

We are the Met Office, the national meteorological service for the UK. We provide critical weather services and world-leading climate science, helping people make better decisions to stay safe and thrive.

Our services are delivered through exceptional scientific, technological and operational expertise. We have a team of excellent people, working to deliver extraordinary impact, making us one of the most trusted forecasters in the world.

This Strategic Communications Manager role sits within the Strategy and Planning area of the Communications and Engagement team. The purpose of the Strategy and Planning function is to develop the strategic direction for Communications and Engagement, ensuring that it meets the requirements of the Met Office – including the Public Weather Service, other market sectors and the broader Met Office corporate needs. This brings clarity to priority activities the Communications and Engagement team should be undertaking based on strategic importance, helping to ensure that the Met Office can engage with its audiences in the most effective way.

This is an interesting and varied role, taking a strategic view in often new or complex communications planning, delivery and monitoring activities. It involves managing a broad range of relationships, both internally and externally, to ensure that current and future plans are in alignment with the overarching Met Office Engagement Strategy.

This is a new two-year fixed term post, with the possibility of it becoming permanent.

Job Purpose:

Lead, manage and co-ordinate strategic communications planning activities to meet and deliver current and future communications objectives in line with the Met Office communications strategy.

As our Strategic Communications Manager , the key duties are:

• Plan, lead and deliver specialist communication projects using both internal and external resources to support the Communication and Engagement strategy and promote, protect and enhance the Met Office reputation and brand.

• Create, monitor and evaluate a communications partnership framework and in collaboration with colleague, work on the implementation.

• On behalf of the Comms and Engagement leadership team, be responsible for outlining and documenting the communications processes used within the team and ensuring that the Met Office aligns to the Government Communications Functional Standard and industry best practice (where applicable).

• Develop, implement and monitor a Met Office ambassador programme, ensuring that this meets corporate and business requirements and positively enhances the reach and reputation of the Met Office.

• Working on behalf of Associate Director of Comms & Engagement, provide strategic co-ordination and evaluation to manage the Met Office brand.

• Carry out external analysis, provide current market insight and make evidence-based recommendations regarding how to segment and prioritise audiences and the most appropriate channels to reach them.

• Keep up to date with current industry practice, and share knowledge throughout the team, to ensure continuous improvement in the way the Met Office uses the specialism to deliver its Communications and Engagement strategy.

To apply, please click on the link below and attach the most recent version of your CV, along with a cover letter which briefly states your experience against each essential and desirable criteria.

Closing date 02/08/2021 with interviews commencing from 25/08/2021 . We update all applicants once the vacancy has closed and applications have been reviewed. At present, all interviews are taking place remotely via Microsoft Teams.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics.
We recognise that Great Minds Don’t Think Alike and are committed to being a more diverse and inclusive organisation. We are a Disability Confident, Mindful Employer and we hold an Athena Swan Bronze award for our work on gender equality. We apply the Civil Service Code to ensure that everyone is recruited on merit, fairness, and open competition.

If you are considering applying and need assistance to do so, please contact us via askHR@metoffice.gov.uk. You can request adjustments either within our application form or via email.

We offer disabled applicants the option of requesting their application is considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the minimum criteria for the role. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity.

We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. Our roles sometimes require higher level Security Clearance, which generally requires living in the UK for at least three out of the last five years, but applicants not meeting this criteria may be considered.