Southampton
Job Summary
Are you an experienced communications professional, with a talent for delivering communication strategies and plans?
Would you relish an opportunity to lead on communication strategies that will impact the maritime safety and help save lives?
If so, we are looking for a communications professional to join us at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), and we would love to hear from you.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government’s maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.
Safer lives. Safer Ships. Cleaner Seas.
Our vision is to be a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers and our planet at the heart of everything we do.
We are committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams.
We want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential at MCA.
This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks groups covering, Women’s, LGBTQI+, Race, Carers, Mental Wellbeing and volunteer Respect Ambassadors.
Job Description
Our Communication team is responsible for the delivery of public relations, marketing, and internal communications in support of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). This includes, UK Technical and Customer Maritime Services, the UK Ship Register, UK Shipping Concierge, MCA support services and His Majesty’s Coastguard - the UK’s only national emergency service. We are responsible for a range of digital channels, both internal and external, that are critical to ensure the delivery of key communications campaigns and publications from across all business areas.
As Assistant Director Communications, you will have overall responsibility for the development and delivery of the Agency’s internal and external communications and marketing strategies. This will include digital channels, TV and film broadcast, social media, and associated content, from concept through to implementation and evaluation.
This role is pivotal to the MCA’s successful messaging, through building, enhancing and protecting the agency’s reputation.
You will ensure that the work of the team supports the delivery of the agency’s objectives as well as those of wider government. Operating within Government Communications Service priorities, frameworks, and processes and targeting specific audiences with key messages, and through selected channels to protect the public, and attract commercial.
You will have daily direct access to the Chief Executive and Executive Team, and lead on all aspects of the agency’s diverse communications requirements. You will collaborate with, and provide advice, guidance, and direction to, Executive Team members regarding internal and external communications. Representing communications at Executive Team meetings and senior leadership events.
In This Role Your Key Responsibilities Will Include:
* Leading the development and implementation of the agency’s diverse communications strategy, ensuring objectives complement and support MCA and wider government/policy objectives.
* Leading the Press Office, Marketing, Broadcast, Digital and Internal Communications functions.
* Developing and reviewing communication strategies for overall context and register, to protect reputation and establish fit with government communication priorities.
* Taking overall responsibility for developing and implementing communication/media strategies and campaigns and setting direction and priorities of the communications team.
* Building influential networks with key stakeholders and partners, to be a key communications interface and further enable quality communication solutions.
* Leading strategic partnerships to effectively deliver external campaigns and activity relating to reducing preventable fatalities at the coast and on the sea.
* Reporting on evaluation of communication strategies to Executive Team, Department for Transport (DfT) and Cabinet Office.
* Overseeing and strategically leading a multidisciplinary team.
* Take an active part as a member of the Executive Team.
For further information about the role and responsibilities, please see the attached role profile.
Our Communication team is responsible for the delivery of public relations, marketing, and internal communications in support of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). This includes, UK Technical and Customer Maritime Services, the UK Ship Register, UK Shipping Concierge, MCA support services and His Majesty’s Coastguard - the UK’s only national emergency service. We are responsible for a range of digital channels, both internal and external, that are critical to ensure the delivery of key communications campaigns and publications from across all business areas.
As Assistant Director Communications, you will have overall responsibility for the development and delivery of the Agency’s internal and external communications and marketing strategies. This will include digital channels, TV and film broadcast, social media, and associated content, from concept through to implementation and evaluation.
This role is pivotal to the MCA’s successful messaging, through building, enhancing and protecting the agency’s reputation.
You will ensure that the work of the team supports the delivery of the agency’s objectives as well as those of wider government. Operating within Government Communications Service priorities, frameworks, and processes and targeting specific audiences with key messages, and through selected channels to protect the public, and attract commercial.
You will have daily direct access to the Chief Executive and Executive Team, and lead on all aspects of the agency’s diverse communications requirements. You will collaborate with, and provide advice, guidance, and direction to, Executive Team members regarding internal and external communications. Representing communications at Executive Team meetings and senior leadership events.
In This Role Your Key Responsibilities Will Include:
* Leading the development and implementation of the agency’s diverse communications strategy, ensuring objectives complement and support MCA and wider government/policy objectives.
* Leading the Press Office, Marketing, Broadcast, Digital and Internal Communications functions.
* Developing and reviewing communication strategies for overall context and register, to protect reputation and establish fit with government communication priorities.
* Taking overall responsibility for developing and implementing communication/media strategies and campaigns and setting direction and priorities of the communications team.
* Building influential networks with key stakeholders and partners, to be a key communications interface and further enable quality communication solutions.
* Leading strategic partnerships to effectively deliver external campaigns and activity relating to reducing preventable fatalities at the coast and on the sea.
* Reporting on evaluation of communication strategies to Executive Team, Department for Transport (DfT) and Cabinet Office.
* Overseeing and strategically leading a multidisciplinary team.
* Take an active part as a member of the Executive Team.
For further information about the role and responsibilities, please see the attached role profile.
Person specification
About You
You will be a communications professional, with previous experience of managing digital channels, social media and associated content, and a track record of delivering high-quality, audience-focused content.
You will confidently demonstrate your expertise of using various techniques and creative approaches to deliver a comprehensive communication strategy that will support MCA to achieve its objectives.
You will have the capability to think creatively, encourage innovation, solve problems, and deliver results at pace and under high pressure.
You will have excellent interpersonal skills to confidently brief senior leaders and experience of managing stakeholders at all levels.
With experience of team leadership, you will have the capability to support and empower your team and share your expertise to develop and build team capability.
Additional Information
This role will be based in the Southampton HQ. MCA supports flexible working and operates a hybrid working model between home and office for this role, giving you greater flexibility over where and when you work.
The expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace or out on official business. Details of the arrangement will be discussed further with your line manager.
Occasional travel will be required to other MCA sites within the UK.
In this role there will be a need to support Press Officers and senior officials out of normal office hours in the event of a maritime emergency or in exceptional circumstances.
Whilst we welcome applications from candidates seeking part time/flexible working hours, there will be a business requirement for candidates to work a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Making Effective Decisions
* Leadership
* Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* Government Communication Service (GCS) Competency Framework - Insight - Grade 7/6s
* Government Communication Service (GCS) Competency Framework - Implementation - Grade 7/6s
* Government Communication Service (GCS) Competency Framework - Impact - Grade 7/6s
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.
Click here to get a copy of the MCA Staff Benefits Brochure
Find out what it's like to work at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please tailor your CV and personal statement to provide evidence of the following:
* Communications professional with previous experience of managing internal and external digital channels, social media and associated content, and delivering high-quality, audience-focused content.
* Experience of managing stakeholders at all levels including Director/Executive level.
* Experience of leading a multidisciplinary team.
Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 1000 words.
It is essential when submitting your personal statement that you provide as much detail as possible, and utilise the full word count given, against the essential criteria outlined above as this will be used in conjunction with your CV to assess candidate suitability to move to the next round in the recruitment process.
For this recruitment campaign we will be working with Michael Page (our recruitment partners) and so we please ask upon your submission that CV's and Personal Statement's are sent through to helensmith@michaelpage.co.uk.
Sift And Interview Dates:
The sift is due to take place week commencing 16/06/2025.
Interviews/assessments are likely to be held week commencing 01/07/2025.
This interview will be conducted via face to face at our Southampton office. Further details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
* An interview and a presentation exercise.
As part of your interview you will be assessed against the Government Communication Service (GCS) Competency Framework.
You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
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.
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 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 : Helen Smith
* Email : helensmith@michaelpage.co.uk
Recruitment team
* Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here #J-18808-Ljbffr