Judicial Appointments Commission - Senior Strategic Communications Manager (SEO) - 12-month fixed term contract (maternity cover) (Ref: 8928)

This position is based at 102 Petty France 12T, SW1H 9AJ

Job Summary

Please refer to Job Description

Job Description

Judicial Appointments Commission – Senior Strategic Communications Manager (SEO) – 12-month fixed term contract (maternity cover)

Are you a skilled communicator with a flair for creating engaging content? Experienced in devising and implementing effective communications strategies? A leader with a passion for connecting with diverse audiences and developing your team? If the answer is yes, you could be exactly who we’re looking for.

The Role

We’re looking for a fixed term Senior Strategic Communications Manager to help us communicate our activities and connect with our audiences. As an independent public body, the Judicial Appointments Commission is responsible for designing, planning, and running recruitment campaigns to select judges in the courts and tribunals, up to and including the High Court, as well as non-legal tribunal members. You can read more about our work on our website. With a new recruitment campaign launched every couple of weeks, and statutory responsibilities to make sure we select candidates on merit and through fair and open competition, it’s essential that our processes are robust, inclusive, and attractive to candidates from the widest possible backgrounds. It’s also essential that our audiences and stakeholders understand our work and our commitment to support a diverse judiciary that represents the society it serves. Our Senior Strategic Communications Manager role is essential for us achieving that ambition. They lead on all aspects of our strategic communication activity for both internal and external audiences, creating content, managing campaigns, and engaging our varied audiences. They also play a lead role in providing communications advice to the JAC Chair, Chief Executive and Commissioners, as well as working with stakeholders to promote the work of the JAC, highlighting our commitment to diversity and maintaining our reputation as a centre for recruitment excellence. They are also pivotal in helping us to deliver our strategic objectives. The Senior Strategic Communications Manager will work closely with colleagues across the JAC, and beyond, and will have opportunities to be involved in different cross-JAC projects and initiatives during this 12-month maternity cover opportunity.

Main Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Diversity, Engagement and Communications, your main responsibilities will include:

• Lead on the implementation of our communication and engagement strategy and evaluating the impact of various priorities within the strategy.
• Provide strategic communications advice to the JAC Chair, Commissioners and Senior Leadership team on both internal and external communication issues.
• Lead on the delivery of key strategic JAC projects such as the Annual Report and the adoption of the judicial skills and abilities framework.
• Manage the relationships and expectations of a range of key external stakeholders, tailoring messages appropriately and paying close attention to detail.
• Working closely with stakeholder engagement colleagues to develop communications and engagement plans and with policy and operational teams to implement these plans, including advising on audience targeting, messaging, channels, and evaluation.
• Working with the JAC external communications adviser to devise, deliver and oversee all media handling.
• Creating digital content such as news items, press releases, social media posts (including X and LinkedIn) and candidate guidance.
• Overseeing the strategic direction and delivery of internal communications, in line with our values.
• Line managing 2 strategic communication managers (HEO)

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Essential Criteria

Experience of providing communications advice within an organisation, ideally to senior leadership teams and stakeholders. Strong understanding of the communications landscape, including an understanding of, and experience in using a range of communication tools, channels, and evaluation techniques, Experience of influencing and engaging a wide range of internal and external audiences. The ability to manage the complex needs of a range of high-profile and influential internal and external stakeholders within a specialist area. Outstanding oral and written communication skills to deliver high quality briefings for the JAC Chair, Commissions and Chief Executive. Experience of managing a team to deliver effective communications plans and activities. Experience of the design and delivery of digital communications, including use of social media and web-editing platforms.

Desirable criteria

Understanding of legal sector

What We Can Offer You

We offer a range of benefits including an attractive annual leave allowance, flexible and hybrid working opportunities, and choice of pension schemes. We actively encourage all staff to undertake learning and development as part of their personal objectives and have a range of networks to support and promote inclusivity, wellbeing, and dignity at work among other things.

Recruitment process details

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the recruitment process: Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions Working Together

Application process

Your CV A statement of suitability outlining how your skills and experience make you suitable for the post (500 words max). Written evidence of the 3 core behaviours for this role: Communicating and influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, and Making Effective Decisions (250 words each)

Sift Applications will be sifted based on the CV, Statement of Suitability and the 3 behaviours of Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Big Picture and Making Effective Decisions. If we receive a high number of applications, applications will be sifted on the CV, Statement of Suitability, and lead behaviour: Communicating and Influencing.

Interview At interview you we will assess you against all 4 behaviours: Communicating and influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, and Working Together. You will also be asked about your experience. You can find out more about the Civil Service success profiles. Applicants invited for interview may be required to undertake a presentation as part of this interview process. Candidates may be asked to complete this in the week before their scheduled interview slot and present this at the start of the interview. Further information about what task will be required will be provided to candidates shortlisted for interview. Interviews are expected to take place in mid/late September. Interviews may be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams or face-to-face. More details on the arrangements will be provided to candidates invited to interview.

Reserve List

As well as appointing to the vacancy listed above, we may place other candidates on a 12-month reserve list for future vacancies.

Office Attendance

JAC staff are currently working in a hybrid way with a minimum of 2 days per week in the JAC office in Westminster, London. Applicants for this role should note that they may be required to attend the JAC offices in London office more than 2 days per week in line with business need.

Further Information

If after reading this job description you require any further information, please contact Reece Pope, Head of Diversity, Engagement and Communications: Reece.Pope@judicialappointments.gov.uk If you have any questions about the recruitment campaign, or any terms and conditions relating to the role, please contact the JAC Recruitment Team: Recruitment@judicialappointments.gov.uk

Judicial Appointments Commission – Senior Strategic Communications Manager (SEO) – 12-month fixed term contract (maternity cover)

Are you a skilled communicator with a flair for creating engaging content? Experienced in devising and implementing effective communications strategies? A leader with a passion for connecting with diverse audiences and developing your team? If the answer is yes, you could be exactly who we’re looking for.

The Role

We’re looking for a fixed term Senior Strategic Communications Manager to help us communicate our activities and connect with our audiences. As an independent public body, the Judicial Appointments Commission is responsible for designing, planning, and running recruitment campaigns to select judges in the courts and tribunals, up to and including the High Court, as well as non-legal tribunal members. You can read more about our work on our website. With a new recruitment campaign launched every couple of weeks, and statutory responsibilities to make sure we select candidates on merit and through fair and open competition, it’s essential that our processes are robust, inclusive, and attractive to candidates from the widest possible backgrounds. It’s also essential that our audiences and stakeholders understand our work and our commitment to support a diverse judiciary that represents the society it serves. Our Senior Strategic Communications Manager role is essential for us achieving that ambition. They lead on all aspects of our strategic communication activity for both internal and external audiences, creating content, managing campaigns, and engaging our varied audiences. They also play a lead role in providing communications advice to the JAC Chair, Chief Executive and Commissioners, as well as working with stakeholders to promote the work of the JAC, highlighting our commitment to diversity and maintaining our reputation as a centre for recruitment excellence. They are also pivotal in helping us to deliver our strategic objectives. The Senior Strategic Communications Manager will work closely with colleagues across the JAC, and beyond, and will have opportunities to be involved in different cross-JAC projects and initiatives during this 12-month maternity cover opportunity.

What We Can Offer You

We offer a range of benefits including an attractive annual leave allowance, flexible and hybrid working opportunities, and choice of pension schemes. We actively encourage all staff to undertake learning and development as part of their personal objectives and have a range of networks to support and promote inclusivity, wellbeing, and dignity at work among other things.

Recruitment process details

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the recruitment process: Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions Working Together

Application process

Your CV A statement of suitability outlining how your skills and experience make you suitable for the post (500 words max). Written evidence of the 3 core behaviours for this role: Communicating and influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, and Making Effective Decisions (250 words each)

Sift Applications will be sifted based on the CV, Statement of Suitability and the 3 behaviours of Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Big Picture and Making Effective Decisions. If we receive a high number of applications, applications will be sifted on the CV, Statement of Suitability, and lead behaviour: Communicating and Influencing.

Interview At interview you we will assess you against all 4 behaviours: Communicating and influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, and Working Together. You will also be asked about your experience. You can find out more about the Civil Service success profiles. Applicants invited for interview may be required to undertake a presentation as part of this interview process. Candidates may be asked to complete this in the week before their scheduled interview slot and present this at the start of the interview. Further information about what task will be required will be provided to candidates shortlisted for interview. Interviews are expected to take place in mid/late September. Interviews may be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams or face-to-face. More details on the arrangements will be provided to candidates invited to interview.

Reserve List

As well as appointing to the vacancy listed above, we may place other candidates on a 12-month reserve list for future vacancies.

Office Attendance

JAC staff are currently working in a hybrid way with a minimum of 2 days per week in the JAC office in Westminster, London. Applicants for this role should note that they may be required to attend the JAC offices in London office more than 2 days per week in line with business need.

Further Information

If after reading this job description you require any further information, please contact Reece Pope, Head of Diversity, Engagement and Communications: Reece.Pope@judicialappointments.gov.uk If you have any questions about the recruitment campaign, or any terms and conditions relating to the role, please contact the JAC Recruitment Team: Recruitment@judicialappointments.gov.uk

Person specification

Please Refer To Job Description

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions Working Together

Alongside your salary of £49,325, Ministry of Justice contributes £14,289 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Access to learning and development

A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance

A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity

A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Annual Leave

Public Holidays

Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:

UK nationals

nationals of the Republic of Ireland

nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)

nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in a new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact : Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team

Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Telephone : 0345 241 5359

Recruitment team Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/8928?entityId=8928