Length of employment:
Job Summary:
Army Communications is based in Andover at the British Army Headquarters. We have an exciting and crucial vacancy for an experienced communications professional to lead our strategic campaigns.
Army communications tells the Army's story using a wide range of creative approaches to communication on a multitude of channels, from traditional press to social media. Our work provides the opportunity to make a real difference.
To find out more about what we do, visit the British Army website Homepage
Job Description: The British Army which has over 15 million visits a year, or our social media channels which have some of the biggest audiences in government - we're currently active on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and YouTube.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
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This is a high-profile role that requires a strategic thinker with a passion for creative storytelling, audience insight, and innovation in communications. This role is key in shaping how the British Army is perceived by the public, using both traditional and digital media to deliver measurable impact.
The Head of Campaigns brings Army strategic messaging to life by developing campaigns that target new and traditional audiences. You will lead the strategic development and delivery of high-impact communications campaigns. This role reports to the Deputy Head of Strategic Communications and sits within the Communications and Engagement team. You will oversee a team of four Campaign Managers, ensuring the successful planning, execution, and evaluation of multi-channel campaigns that enhance the Army's reputation and engage our audiences.
Key responsibilities:
* Lead all aspects of the development and execution of integrated communications campaigns to promote the British Army using Government Communications Service methodologies.
* Build a close relationship with British Army recruitment communications and marketing teams to find ways to maximise effects.
* Manage, mentor, and inspire the team of Campaign Managers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and high performance.
* Identify and attract new audiences through targeted and innovative approaches, ensuring diversity in communications channels.
* Establish KPIs, monitor campaign effectiveness, and use data-driven insights to optimise performance and maximise reach and engagement.
* Provide regular reports on effectiveness of campaigns to Army Communications and Engagement leadership.
* Champion the Government Communication Service methodologies across Army Communications and Engagement and the wider army.
* Stay ahead of industry trends, new technologies, and best practices in marketing and communications to keep Army campaigns at the forefront of innovation.
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.
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.
Essential skills required:
* We are seeking a creative and strategic leader with a proven track record in delivering successful, insight-driven marketing and communications campaigns.
* Extensive experience in campaign management, marketing, or communications, ideally in a leadership role.
* Strong team management skills, with the ability to develop and motivate a high-performing team.
* A deep understanding of audience insight and behaviour, with experience in using research and data to inform campaign strategies.
* A creative mindset with experience in overseeing content creation, storytelling, and brand campaigns.
* Expertise in marketing (both digital and traditional) and PR
* Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage and influence at all levels.
* Experience of managing funding lines, gaining appropriate approvals, tracking expenditure and effectively prioritising resources to align with strategic priorities.
* The ability to project manage, prioritise and balance communications campaigns.
Desirable skills:
* Knowledge of the defence sector or government communications.
When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.
At application stage you will be assessed against the following:
* CV
* Behaviour - Leadership
* Personal Statement - 750 words providing evidence that you have the knowledge and recent practical experience for each of the following selection criteria in your application:
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o Extensive experience in campaign management, marketing, or communications, ideally in a leadership role.
o Demonstration of strong team leadership, capable of cultivating and inspiring a high-achieving team.
o Showcase a creative approach with a proven track record in managing content creation, storytelling, and brand.
o Demonstrate proficiency in digital and social media marketing, alongside experience in traditional advertising and PR, with a dedication to continuous professional growth.
o Illustrate excellent stakeholder management capabilities, adept at engaging and influencing at all levels.
Applications will be sifted using the CV, Personal Statement, and Behaviour that have been chosen for this campaign, but in the event of there being a high number of applications, a sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement.
At interview stage you will be assessed against the following:
* Behaviour - Leadership
* Technical - GCS Competencies - 1) Government Communications Service Ideas and 2) Government Communications Service - Implementation.
* Presentation - You will be asked to deliver a 5-min presentation showcasing a successful campaign that you have delivered.
https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/publications/competency-framework/
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.
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.