External Communications Manager - ID2024-8390

This is an exciting opportunity to join the busy, friendly and creative Strategic Communications and Marketing team at Social Security Scotland, an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government.
Social Security Scotland is a new public service that has been created by the Scottish Government to deliver a number of benefits. The Scottish Government Social Security Programme is developing the way in which these benefits will be delivered, including the creation of the processes and systems with input from Social Security Scotland who will administer the delivery once each benefit goes live.
The Social Security Scotland Communications and Marketing team is responsible for strategic communications advice, planning and delivery of communications activity to raise awareness of Social Security Scotland benefits administered by Social Security Scotland to drive benefit take up.
The successful applicant will play a creative and entrepreneurial role acting as an account manager and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to make sure that outputs and partnership activity are effective, clear and reach people in creative and engaging ways. This person will be responsible for implementing strategic communications, marketing and engagement plans for a range of accounts working across a number of benefit workstreams. This will include supporting the delivery of creative outputs across a range online and offline channels, including digital media, marketing and partnership activity as well as collaborating with Creative and Media Buying Agencies to develop multimedia marketing campaigns.
The Scottish Government is committed to building a social security system with people not for them. And as such, the External Communications team will be expected to consult with relevant stakeholders to get input and feedback on communication and marketing approach and all materials. This will include building relationships and partnerships with stakeholders to help us reach people with our messaging in creative and engaging ways.
This team plays an active role in media management on benefit specific issues. This will include proactive PR. Also responding to any reactive media enquiries. They will be part of an on call media rota.
The External Communications Manager will contribute to the ongoing evaluation of the teams outputs and will use this analysis to influence work plans.

Pay Supplement
This post attracts a £2,000 post-specific recruitment and retention Pay Supplement, rising to £3,750 after 12 months satisfactory service. Pay supplements are temporary payments designed to address recruitment and retention issues caused by market pressures and are subject to regular review.

• Source, write, edit and manage high quality content for a range of Social Security Scotland channels – including media releases, website articles, social media content, client literature (e.g. factsheets, leaflets, posters) and marketing materials (25%)
• Supporting creation and implementation of coordinated strategic communication, marketing and engagement plans using insight and analysis to develop and deliver creative communications plans, advising on the best messages, methods and channels to reach and influence audiences both internally and externally (25%)
• Supporting proactive media and PR activity, such as writing press releases, securing feature articles and editorial partnerships, and supporting Ministerial visits including media interview bids and managing reactive enquiries (including on call responsibility) (15%)
• Supporting briefing and delivery of creative development and paid-for media buying schedules to support campaign activity (15%)
• Managing the regular review of communication and marketing materials to make sure that these are up to date, accurate and that we are continually improving (10%)
• Provide credible and authoritative communications advice and support to colleagues, including senior leaders. (5%)
• Work flexibly with colleagues across the communication team to deliver an integrated external and internal communications model across multiple platforms and channels (5%)

1. Experience of working in communications, with good creative skills in using a range of communications channels, including media, marketing, digital and partnerships, to tailor content for target audiences.

2. First-class writing and editing skills, a good news sense, the ability to prioritise under pressure, and to turn around clean, crisp copy in plain English to tight deadlines.

3. Ability to deliver across marketing campaigns and digital channels, using a programme of continuous improvement and learning.

4. Excellent organisation skills and ability to coordinate communications activity being delivered across multiple teams.

Job contact :

Name :
Gail Wilson
Email :
gail.wilson@socialsecurity.gov.scot
Telephone :
08001577194

Recruitment team

Email :
Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot