Royal Navy Senior Communications Manager - Corporate And Reactive News

Royal Navy Senior Communications Manager - Corporate and Reactive News

Salary - £43,080, plus a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Location - Navy Command Headquarters, Leach Building, HMS Excellent, Portsmouth

Job grade - Senior Executive Officer C1

Contract type - Permanent

Business area - MOD - Navy - MOD - Navy - Royal Navy Communications and Influence. Portsmouth.

Type of role - Communications / Marketing

Working pattern - Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available – 1

About the job

Job summary

The Royal Navy Communications and Influence (RN Comms) team is seeking a dynamic and motivated Senior Communications Manager for their fast paced and high-profile Corporate Communications and Reactive News team.

The successful candidate will have specific responsibility for advice and communications relating to issues impacting the reputation of the Royal Navy at home and around the globe.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week and is based out of Navy Command Headquarters in Portsmouth.

Job description

What you will be doing:

The Royal Navy and associated agencies are subject to intense public, parliamentary and media scrutiny. The post holder is responsible for the overall quality and output of the Corporate Communications and Reactive News team, engaging across the RN and MOD and ensuring overall alignment with the RN Comms strategy and Defence Communications strategy and messaging.

You will:

Provide professional and comprehensive communications advice to senior military officers, officials, special advisors, and RN Units.

Manage communications surrounding matters which have the potential to be reputationally damaging to the RN, including personnel, operational, policy security issues.

Produce relevant and timely lines to take/Defensive News briefs for those emerging or policy issues, briefing to senior levels in person when needed.

In time of crisis or period of significant media activity, support the overall RN Comms effort, ensuring coherent messaging and providing fast paced proactive media advice and material.

Maintain a good working relationship with key local and regional media outlets and defence specialists.

Support RN media facilities and carry out media minding duties when required.

As a strong team player, act as a role model, offer guidance and support to colleagues in their day-to-day work and help to develop them over time.

Have the leadership skills to provide direction and focus to your team to ensure outputs are delivered in a timely and accurate manner and provide advice to others.

Be part of an on-call roster dealing with a range of enquiries across the breadth of Royal Navy and associated departments, working alongside the Defence Directorate of Communications.

Person specification

• Essential criteria include:
• Excellent understanding of the media and social media landscape. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to pay attention to detail and absorb complex information at pace to inform and produce plain language communications that clearly articulate the Royal Navy’s objectives and policy.
• The discretion to handle classified and sensitive information pertaining to policy or personnel issues.
• Confidence and strategic judgement, as successful candidates will be required to become a trusted adviser to senior military officers and staff.
• The ability to work effectively with a wide variety of personalities and experience.

Desirable criteria include:

• A proven record of working either in a media/press office/corporate communications environment, or in defence policy areas.
• Experience of news management in PR or journalism.
• Experience of using social media.
• Experience of Government Communications Service and Modern Communications Operating Model.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Leadership Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference.

Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other benefits for Navy Command civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• A very competitive pension scheme Personal & professional development Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes Bicycle / season ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year
• Our headquarters in Portsmouth also offers an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, tennis courts, and other sporting facilities, a children’s nursery, a bistro restaurant, a shop and plenty of car parking spaces.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.