Andover, SP11 8HT Job Summary The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, with responsibility for an annual budget of over £10bn, the Army is a major part of the Ministry of Defence and one of its largest operating centres who employ around 12,000 Civil Servants located at over 300 locations supporting the 110K regular and reserve soldiers across the Army. This Civil Service workforce is diverse, with many different functions and professions ranging from police officers, security guards, trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. Are you a strategic and creative leader with a passion for impactful design? The British Army Design Studio, part of the Army Communications Branch in Andover, is seeking a talented Design Studio Manager to oversee and drive the creative direction of our dynamic design team. The British Army is looking for a dynamic, experienced, and visionary Design Studio Manager to lead our creative Design Studio and ensure the delivery of high-impact visual communications in alignment with the Government Communication Service (GCS), the professional body for public service communicators working in government departments, agencies and arm’s length bodies. This role is central to shaping the Army’s brand identity, ensuring all creative output aligns with strategic objectives and effectively engages both internal and external audiences. As the Design Studio Manager, you will oversee a talented team of designers, driving innovation while maintaining the Army’s Brand. Responsible for setting the creative direction, managing workflow, and ensuring that all projects meet the highest standards of execution. Collaboration is key, and you will work closely with military and civilian stakeholders to develop design solutions that support recruitment, engagement campaigns, and public messaging. Your ability to balance creativity with strategy will be crucial in maintaining the integrity and impact of the Army’s visual storytelling. This is a unique opportunity to take charge of a high-profile creative unit within the British Army, where your leadership and creative vision will directly contribute to shaping public perceptions and engagement, whilst also benefiting and contributing to the membership of the GCS. Ready to lead? Apply today and help shape the future of Army design. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job Description The Design Studio Manager is responsible for overseeing the British Army Design Studio, leading a team of creative professionals to produce high-quality visual communications that align with the Army's strategic objectives, aligned with GCS. This role demands exceptional leadership and creative expertise, ensuring that all design outputs effectively support military messaging and reflective of the Army Brand. The Army HQ Design Studio is part of the communications team within the British Army. Working alongside our colleagues in Andover and the wider Army and Ministry of Defence, we create and review products that help communicate key aspects of the Army through our Internal and External channels. Key Responsibilities: Managing the Design Studio and Digital Print. Maintaining oversight of workflows and priorities, implementing policy and direction. Alongside the Brand Manager, developing, applying, promoting and guarding the Army Brand on behalf of Army HQs and Army Communications, and ensuring all products communicate effectively and adhere to minimum standards and requirements, including accessibility. Maintaining specialist skills to current professional standards. Liaising with clients, colleagues, and other professionals to ensure that resources are allocated effectively to meet agreed outputs. Analyse customer requirements to develop and generate viable effective design solutions for the target audience. The Design Studio Manager is responsible for overseeing the British Army Design Studio, leading a team of creative professionals to produce high-quality visual communications that align with the Army's strategic objectives, aligned with GCS. This role demands exceptional leadership and creative expertise, ensuring that all design outputs effectively support military messaging and reflective of the Army Brand. The Army HQ Design Studio is part of the communications team within the British Army. Working alongside our colleagues in Andover and the wider Army and Ministry of Defence, we create and review products that help communicate key aspects of the Army through our Internal and External channels. Key Responsibilities: Managing the Design Studio and Digital Print. Maintaining oversight of workflows and priorities, implementing policy and direction. Alongside the Brand Manager, developing, applying, promoting and guarding the Army Brand on behalf of Army HQs and Army Communications, and ensuring all products communicate effectively and adhere to minimum standards and requirements, including accessibility. Maintaining specialist skills to current professional standards. Liaising with clients, colleagues, and other professionals to ensure that resources are allocated effectively to meet agreed outputs. Analyse customer requirements to develop and generate viable effective design solutions for the target audience. Person specification Essential Skills Required: QCF Level 5, qualification in a graphics related subject. Strong experience in managing teams, overseeing complex projects, and ensuring brand consistency. Experience working in a fast-paced environment. Proven leadership experience in a creative and strategic role, fostering a culture of excellence, and driving results through innovative thinking. Expert knowledge of graphic design, branding, and digital content creation. Proficiency in industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, etc). Strong project management and operational planning skills. Ability to drive innovation while maintaining brand discipline. Desirable Skills: Prior experience in military communications or government creative roles. Knowledge of Army branding, recruitment campaigns, and public engagement strategies. A deep understanding of design principles, industry trends, and the ability to adapt to evolving communication needs will set you apart. Qualifications QCF Level 5, qualification in a graphics related subject. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Communicating and Influencing Leadership Managing a Quality Service We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Leadership Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Advanced in M1 Origination Advanced in M3 Design for Print and Digital Content. Advanced in M4 Training Innovation Alongside your salary of £36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. The Army 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 Army Civil Servants Include: 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service Highly competitive pension scheme Personal and professional development of skills Alternative working patterns for many roles Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Enhanced parental and adoption leave 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities Learning and Development We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role. A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career. We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuring you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. However, recognising the benefits of face to face working, especially for new joiners, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week). 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. Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history and qualification details. Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability in no more than 750 words detailing your relevant skills and experience to the essential skills listed in this advert. At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Statement of suitability and the following Behaviour: Leadership Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift will be conducted based on the evidence you provide in support of Leadership. Your CV and Statement of suitability will only be reviewed if you are successful at this initial sift. At interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles: Behaviours Leadership Communicating & Influencing Managing a quality Service Technical Skills Advanced in M1 Origination Advanced in M3 Design for Print and Digital Content Advanced in M4 Training Innovation Framework Document attached - you will also be required to provide a portfolio of your work at interview stage. Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs. Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment. The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out. 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, Experience and Technical skills. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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. 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 : Chris Pilkington Email : Chris.Pilkington101@mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.