Job description
Flexible working
Since you’ll be working with sensitive information, home working is not possible in this role. We also can’t accommodate part‑time work, however, if you are interested in job sharing, we welcome your application. We’ll work with you to support a good work‑life balance, with options like flexitime, flexible start and finish times and compressed hours. Occasional travel across the UK will be required.
About us
GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting‑edge technology, ingenuity, and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber‑attacks, and espionage. At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
Some of our roles are based in the National Cyber Force (NCF). This is a partnership between Defence and Intelligence. The NCF operates in and through cyberspace to counter, disrupt, degrade and contest those who would do harm to the UK and our Allies.
The role
As our NCF Head of Communications and Engagement, you’ll set the strategic direction for all communications activity across the NCF. You’ll lead ground‑breaking initiatives for the global defence community, with significant impact on the reputation of both our organisation and our partners GCHQ, MI5 and MI6. It’s an exciting and rewarding opportunity to shape our growing communications department, where you’ll have a direct impact on our mission.
Working at pace in our complex environment, you’ll lead and line‑manage a talented team, build capability and foster an inclusive, supportive culture where everyone can thrive. You’ll act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing expert counsel on reputation, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications. And you’ll work across government, building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including media contacts and sector partners.
From media relations to internal messaging, you’ll oversee all communications throughout the NCF. You’ll do this while developing and delivering our overall strategy, ensuring it supports business objectives and aligns with the Government Communication Plan. Plus, you’ll provide direct input into corporate planning and decision making at board level, working collaboratively with policy, operations and corporate teams to ensure quality and consistency across everything we do.
Since you’ll be working with sensitive information, this role is office‑based at our site in Samlesbury. There will be some travel across the UK required to engage with stakeholders, partners and team members at other sites within the UK’s intelligence services. Some out‑of‑hours working is also to be expected depending on external communication requests, with our flexitime offering allowing you to take back time when needed.
About you
You’ll have extensive experience leading a communications function at a senior level, with a track record of delivering strategic communications that achieve measurable outcomes. Your understanding of the media landscape, digital communications and emerging trends will be strong. You’ll be confident in your judgement skills and able to provide clear, credible advice to senior stakeholders.
Bringing leadership, learning and development skills, you’ll know how to motivate and build a supportive and effective multi‑disciplinary team. You’ll also be committed to matters of equality, diversity and inclusion, knowing how to embed these within your team. Influencing and relationship management skills are a must, as you’ll be engaging with and advising board members, building trust with external partners and navigating complex relationships.
A commitment to innovation and change is important, along with a flexible approach that will allow you to shift priorities and respond effectively in fast‑moving situations. You’ll be able to distil complex issues into compelling narratives to achieve stakeholder buy‑in. You’ll be confident in your ability to challenge constructively when needed to ensure we’re always taking the right approach when it comes to our communications.
Your experience may come from any background or sector; what’s important is a breadth of knowledge. For example, you might have worked in media relations, campaigns, digital or internal communications. You’ll also need experience managing budgets and resources, and examples of work you’ve been involved in that demonstrate your abilities. You are expected to be professionally accredited in communications in some form – a related degree, a diploma, NCTJ or CIPR, for example.
Requirements
To work at GCHQ you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). You must comply with a strict drugs policy and declare any previous drug usage at the relevant stage.
Training and development
When you join, you’ll be invited to a three‑day induction where we’ll give you an overview of the NCF and what we do. You’ll also get a detailed brief to introduce you to the business unit you’ll be joining.
We invest significantly in training and development. Once you’re settled in your role, you’ll have access to a wide variety of training, courses and accreditation opportunities, along with protected time to pursue them. Your line manager will also be based on‑site and support you with any development opportunities you wish to access.
Rewards and benefits
You’ll receive a starting salary of £86,795 (including concessionary payment of £3,144) plus other benefits including:
* 25 days annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
* Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
* Interest‑free season ticket loan
* Excellent pension scheme
* Cycle‑to‑work scheme
* Facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on‑site coffee bars (at some locations)
* Paid parental and adoption leave
Equal opportunities
At GCHQ diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under‑represented in our workforce such as women, people with disabilities and those from low socio‑economic backgrounds.
Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.
We’re Disability Confident
GCHQ is proud to have achieved Leader status within the Department for Work and Pensions Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain, and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a fair and proportionate number of person‑to‑person interviews to any candidate who self‑identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our ‘Offer of Interview’ (OOI).
To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
* able to demonstrate leadership experience within a communications function at a senior level, with a track record of delivering strategic communications that achieve measurable outcomes; assessed at application sift
* reaching the minimum pass mark for the Organisational Situational Judgement Test which looks at your ability to problem‑solve
* reaching the minimum pass mark in the application question covering your suitability for the role
There is a wide range of extra support available throughout the recruitment process to enable you to do your best. Visit our how to apply page for information on reasonable adjustments we can offer.
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