Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Swindon Job Summary The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 55% of the government’s office estate. We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. And we are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team. Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading significant transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme. We are also delivering cost-effective property services such as asset management, lifecycle replacement and workplace services. Innovation And Progress Underpin Our Behaviours. We Foster a Culture Of Lifelong Learning, Where Curiosity And Self-improvement Are Encouraged. Our Four Core Values Are At The Heart Of Everything We Do. They Shape Our Culture And Guide How We Work, Lead And Grow Together: Striving for excellence- We always aim to deliver great results Empowering through respect- We insist on fair treatment for all, always Acting with integrity- We consistently do the right thing Succeeding together- We rely on each other to achieve success We are committed to representing the communities we serve by making Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) part of everything we do. Our strong emphasis on EDI is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces. To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ community. Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth. We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction. Job Description Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and a member of the COO leadership team and Senior Leadership Group, you will lead your team to develop insight-led communications, engagement & marketing strategies that support the Agencies priorities, driving behaviour change and influencing attitudes to help deliver outcomes. The role also champions a more explicit and structured approach to external affairs, reflecting evolving best practice across the Government Communication Service. You will use your strong leadership skills to drive delivery of the strategies, collaborating across Government Property Agency, measuring progress and adapting the strategies as necessary based on ongoing evaluation. You will build relationships with a range of stakeholders, Including our strategic business partners, GPA internal teams, GPA Board, departmental partners etc in ensuring communications and marketing are integrated across the GPA providing trusted advice, strategies and communications and marketing expertise. This is a fast-paced role, and you will need to work confidently across a broad range of areas; the role is responsible for communications for GPA’s major capital programmes, critical priorities such our “Plan for London” and our critical Workplace Services communications. Alongside this the role will also lead internal comms for our ongoing change programmes. The role will heavily influence senior stakeholders to support best practice strategic communications. You will need strong project management and planning skills, and a deep understanding of behaviour change and its application in communication and marketing campaigns. The successful candidate will lead a diverse team, delivering across a range of areas. Key Responsibilities Strategic Communications Leadership: Provide strategic oversight of GPA’s Communications and Marketing function to support business priorities. Use data and audience insight to develop and deliver the Communications and Marketing Strategy, Internal Communications Strategy, and Marketing Plan, aligned with the GPA Business Plan and focused on behavioural change and reputational impact. Take overall accountability for the design and delivery of all strategic communications, marketing and engagement activity, including business continuity communications, policy development, brand identity, public and media relations, online presence, internal and external campaigns, and reputation management. Executive and Board Engagement: Act as a trusted advisor to the Executive Committee and Board, building strong senior relationships and ensuring long-term communications planning. Keep senior leaders informed of key activity, providing credible, expert advice that influences decision-making at the highest level. Integrated Communications and Function Management: Lead the delivery of a flexible, matrix-based, insight-led communications, marketing, and engagement function. Oversee the planning, design, and execution of high-quality services to ensure consistency and alignment with the GPA strategy. Contribute to organisational transformation by embedding modern, digital-first approaches to internal and external communications. Drive continuous improvement in tools, channels, and ways of working. Brand, Messaging and Reputation Consistency: Promote and enforce consistent brand usage and tone of voice across all channels, ensuring clarity, professionalism and alignment with GPA’s identity and wider civil service communications standards and approaches. Lead on all reputational and communications risks, including responses to major events and operational incidents. Ensure timely, coordinated, and strategic messaging that protects the organisation’s public standing. Internal Engagement and Culture: Ensure employees, clients, and stakeholders are fully informed about GPA’s work, values, and direction. Provide tools, templates, and guidance to support consistent, high-quality communication, recognising communication as a shared organisational responsibility. On behalf of ExCo, lead initiatives that support employee engagement, leadership visibility and organisational culture, aligned with GPA’s values and strategic plan. External Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement: Use horizon scanning and stakeholder insight to lead communication planning and stakeholder mapping. Develop and embed a public affairs and influencing strategy that strengthens GPA’s reputation and relationships across government and the wider public sector. Coordinate insight from client feedback, reputation monitoring, and perception tracking to support strategic engagement. Culture of Innovation and Improvement: Champion a culture of creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement across the communications function, enabling the team to adapt and thrive in a dynamic operating environment Major Programme and Campaign Delivery: Lead the planning and delivery of major communications programmes, campaigns, events, and corporate messaging, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and stakeholder needs. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and a member of the COO leadership team and Senior Leadership Group, you will lead your team to develop insight-led communications, engagement & marketing strategies that support the Agencies priorities, driving behaviour change and influencing attitudes to help deliver outcomes. The role also champions a more explicit and structured approach to external affairs, reflecting evolving best practice across the Government Communication Service. You will use your strong leadership skills to drive delivery of the strategies, collaborating across Government Property Agency, measuring progress and adapting the strategies as necessary based on ongoing evaluation. You will build relationships with a range of stakeholders, Including our strategic business partners, GPA internal teams, GPA Board, departmental partners etc in ensuring communications and marketing are integrated across the GPA providing trusted advice, strategies and communications and marketing expertise. This is a fast-paced role, and you will need to work confidently across a broad range of areas; the role is responsible for communications for GPA’s major capital programmes, critical priorities such our “Plan for London” and our critical Workplace Services communications. Alongside this the role will also lead internal comms for our ongoing change programmes. The role will heavily influence senior stakeholders to support best practice strategic communications. You will need strong project management and planning skills, and a deep understanding of behaviour change and its application in communication and marketing campaigns. The successful candidate will lead a diverse team, delivering across a range of areas. Key Responsibilities Strategic Communications Leadership: Provide strategic oversight of GPA’s Communications and Marketing function to support business priorities. Use data and audience insight to develop and deliver the Communications and Marketing Strategy, Internal Communications Strategy, and Marketing Plan, aligned with the GPA Business Plan and focused on behavioural change and reputational impact. Take overall accountability for the design and delivery of all strategic communications, marketing and engagement activity, including business continuity communications, policy development, brand identity, public and media relations, online presence, internal and external campaigns, and reputation management. Executive and Board Engagement: Act as a trusted advisor to the Executive Committee and Board, building strong senior relationships and ensuring long-term communications planning. Keep senior leaders informed of key activity, providing credible, expert advice that influences decision-making at the highest level. Integrated Communications and Function Management: Lead the delivery of a flexible, matrix-based, insight-led communications, marketing, and engagement function. Oversee the planning, design, and execution of high-quality services to ensure consistency and alignment with the GPA strategy. Contribute to organisational transformation by embedding modern, digital-first approaches to internal and external communications. Drive continuous improvement in tools, channels, and ways of working. Brand, Messaging and Reputation Consistency: Promote and enforce consistent brand usage and tone of voice across all channels, ensuring clarity, professionalism and alignment with GPA’s identity and wider civil service communications standards and approaches. Lead on all reputational and communications risks, including responses to major events and operational incidents. Ensure timely, coordinated, and strategic messaging that protects the organisation’s public standing. Internal Engagement and Culture: Ensure employees, clients, and stakeholders are fully informed about GPA’s work, values, and direction. Provide tools, templates, and guidance to support consistent, high-quality communication, recognising communication as a shared organisational responsibility. On behalf of ExCo, lead initiatives that support employee engagement, leadership visibility and organisational culture, aligned with GPA’s values and strategic plan. External Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement: Use horizon scanning and stakeholder insight to lead communication planning and stakeholder mapping. Develop and embed a public affairs and influencing strategy that strengthens GPA’s reputation and relationships across government and the wider public sector. Coordinate insight from client feedback, reputation monitoring, and perception tracking to support strategic engagement. Culture of Innovation and Improvement: Champion a culture of creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement across the communications function, enabling the team to adapt and thrive in a dynamic operating environment Major Programme and Campaign Delivery: Lead the planning and delivery of major communications programmes, campaigns, events, and corporate messaging, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and stakeholder needs. Person specification The Specific Accountabilities Of This Role Will Be Flexible And Will Change To Meet The Needs Of The Organisation As Required But Will Include (or Be Equivalent In Nature To) Those Listed Below: Well-developed project and programme management skills: being organised and disciplined, showing attention to detail, and following up doggedly to ensure the right results The ability to see the bigger picture, with a strong understanding of both the business and wider political landscape (including the stakeholder environment) and the impact of both on the delivery of directorate, organisational and government objectives. Ability to operate calmly in a fast paced, rapidly changing and complex environment, operating across multiple and varied priorities to enable the delivery of tactical and strategic outcomes A collaborative and inclusive leader with excellent communicating and influencing skills who can identify and build strong working relationships and communications capability at all levels across the directorate, the wider organisation and with external stakeholders to ensure that the Agency can deliver on priorities and communicate/engage in the best way to the right audiences. Customer service focussed, working responsively to ensure that our clients and customers priorities are met. A proven track record of making a strong personal impact, demonstrating effectiveness and credibility to operate at a senior level. An excellent communicator, with the ability to develop and maintain trusted relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including those at senior level. Essential Criteria: Experience and Technical Skills Experience in leading large-scale communications campaigns and strategy and engaging with Executive Committee (ExCo) and Board-level stakeholders. Strong strategic leadership, with proven influencing and negotiation skills and the ability to act as a trusted advisor at senior levels. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, horizon scanning, reputational management, and evidence-based channel planning. Excellent communication skills across written, verbal and digital formats. Experience working within the Civil Service with a strong understanding of government culture, values and behaviours. Demonstrable Digital literacy, with ability to develop and utilise collaborative IT platforms such as Google Workspace or Microsoft Office/Sharepoint and be able to demonstrate productive use of A1 tools. Qualifications And Accreditations Essential criteria: Professional membership of a professional communications body or professional qualification. Degree in communications or equivalent. Being proficient in each of the Government Communication Service (GCS) core competencies Qualifications Professional membership of a professional communications body or professional qualification. Degree in communications or equivalent. Being proficient in each of the Government Communication Service (GCS) core competencies Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Working Together Managing a Quality Service Changing and Improving Communicating and Influencing Leadership Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Customer Perspective Commercial Accumen Property Market Knowledge Innovation Presentation Alongside your salary of £81,000, Government Property Agency contributes £23,465 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Generous annual leave Artificial intelligence 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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities and wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and well-being and aim to create a sense of belonging in a workplace where everyone feels valued.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 and the Civil Service D&I Strategy. 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 (RIS) to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. 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 new window). We promote 60% office attendance for this role. You will be required to spend 3 days in the office and 2 days remote working. Sift The sift is due to take place week commencing 2nd February 2026. As part of the application process, you will be asked to include a CV and a -750 word personal statement. The personal statement should then align with the person specification. Interview GPA policy is for interviews to be held face to face, with virtual interviews only by absolute exception. The date of interview will be week commencing the 26th February 2026 and the location will be confirmed when you are invited to interview. If you feel this will be a problem for you, please contact recruitment@gpa.gov.uk to discuss prior to submitting your application. At interview, applicants will be scored against 5 behaviours - Working Together, Managing a Quality Service, Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, and Leadership. Interview questions will be a blend of Behaviour, Experience, and Technical (core skill) questions. This may also require a presentation focusing on your skills and experience, which we will confirm before the interview stage. 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. 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 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 : Mike Lewis Email : michael.lewis@gpa.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : gparecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information The Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment based on merit, open and fair competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, details of which can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact the GPA People Team by email at HR@gpa.gov.uk, in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can further contact the Civil Service Commission at: Email: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk or in writing to: Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ.