Location Any FC office (subject to availability in relation to working pattern/blended working arrangements). Travel is required, with occasional overnight stays. About the job Job summary At the Forestry Commission, we are united by a shared vision - to help tackle some of society’s biggest challenges through thriving forests, woods and trees. Forest Services, as part of the Forestry Commission, is the Government’s expert body for woodland regulation, incentives and advice in England. We support the forestry sector and landowners to protect, improve and expand the country’s valuable woodland assets - delivering benefits for biodiversity, climate, people and the rural economy. We are now seeking an outstanding individual to join our team as Head of Marketing, Communications and Engagement. If you are passionate about the role of trees, woods and forestry in creating a better future for England and want to play a key part in realising that we want to hear from you. Job description To lead the strategic development and delivery of marketing, communications and engagement (MC&E) activity required to: (a) drive woodland creation and woodland management amongst existing and new customers in the land management sector; (b) strategically boost our internal engagement; and (c) raise awareness of our work across all key audiences. You will: Oversee the development and delivery of marketing, communications and engagement strategies and implementation plans, both nationally and regionally, internally and externally, in line with agreed timelines and outcomes. Take strategic ownership of, and provide direction for, three core sub-teams within MC&E: (1) marketing, communications and stakeholders; (2) internal engagement; and (3) content and digital. Activity includes email marketing; content creation; social media; web management; promotional campaigns; system development; stakeholder engagement; internal communications; guidance development; regional promotional activity; operational communications and announcements. Oversee activity across all channels, ensuring consistent, on-brand and impactful messaging that aligns with organisational objectives, and minimising reputational risk Lead the Promotion & Engagement project under the Nature for Climate Fund (NCF) programme, overseeing landowner engagement activity across Forest Services and leading on all programme management tasks required under NCF, including risk management and securing funding. Engagement activity includes provision of technical site-specific advice; lead generation and conversion activity; programme of wide range of events, webinars and workshops; key account management; stakeholder collaboration. Lead and motivate a core team of 13 staff in national team, and provide direction as ‘head of profession’ for 18 staff embedded in regional teams. Line manage 3 direct reports, and matrix manage 4 reports within regional teams. Ensure the continued alignment of the team’s work within the wider organisation and core Defra, to achieve efficient team processes and ways of working, and coherent communication to customers and staff. Also ensure communications alignment within the broader Defra Group. Champion MC&E within Forest Services, ensuring the function provides a professional service to the business and delivers against organisational objectives. Establish and maintain constructive working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. Direct efforts to develop and enhance performance monitoring and audience insight to enhance evidence-based continual improvement. Act as MC&E head of profession for Forest Services, steering overall direction of the function and directing activity of all members of the team. Manage the team budget to ensure effective resource allocation. Provide trusted advice to the executive team on strategic or sensitive communications matters. Lead crisis communication efforts as part of the incident management team. Play an active role as a senior leader within the wider Strategy and Transformation team and across the organisation, undertaking broader activities and corporate responsibilities as required. Person specification Essential: Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering marketing, communications and engagement strategies – both externally and internally Demonstrable experience of successfully influencing behaviour change amongst target audiences Excellent leadership skills, with experience of leading diverse and cross-functional teams to succeed in the face of competing priorities and through periods of change Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience of delivering highly sensitive or strategic communications activity, and an understanding of the power of storytelling Demonstrable experience of building productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, particularly when there are conflicting priorities Excellent project management skills, with a thorough understanding of risk management Proven ability to deliver at pace, and a track record of securing business results Hands-on experience of the full marketing mix, including use of CRM systems Desirable: Experience working within the forestry or land management sector Experience of working with key target audiences within the sector e.g land managers, farmers, agents. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Communicating and Influencing Leadership Delivering at Pace Seeing the Big Picture Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: A presentation to evaluate the candidate's capability in the strategic development and execution of marketing, communications, and engagement initiatives. Benefits Alongside your salary of £58,423, Forestry Commission contributes £16,925 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. A Civil Service pension with with an employer contribution of 28.97%. A range of family friendly benefits. An environment with flexible working options. Learning and development tailored to your role. A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment. A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more. 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years’ service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata). Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave. 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata). We aim to provide a great place to work, whichever location you work from. Blended working forms part of our flexible and inclusive approach to future ways of working. It is an informal arrangement which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from our Forestry Commission workplaces, subject to role requirements, business needs, and regular review. Informal blended working arrangements will be available as agreed with the line manager. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills. This is a Fixed Term Appointment until 31/03/2026 with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee. As part of the application process, you will complete the following: A tailored CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. A 750 word personal statement – showing how you meet the essential criteria and competencies Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using the CV. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. Interview Candidates will be further assessed on Behaviours at interview. Candidates who are invited to interview will be asked to give a presentation. Applications will be sifted week commencing 1st September 2025. Interviews will be held week commencing 8th September 2025. Please note that these dates are subject to change Interviews are due to be held via Microsoft Teams. Further Information A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Any move to Forestry Service 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website. If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Existing Civil Servants (excluding Forestry Commission employees) and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, and will only be considered on a loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. Existing Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research employees are eligible to apply for this Fixed Term Appointment and will only be considered if there is written confirmation from their line manager and HR that their current role will be temporarily backfilled or held open before commencing the application process. This role is full time or part-time for a minimum of 30h/week. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements. The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means. The Forestry Commission is actively working to reduce the carbon emission of official travel and applicants should be aware of the broad principles which are being applied to reduce carbon emissions to less than 50gCO2/km. Reasonable adjustment If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non- disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. Feedback Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. 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. 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. 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). Apply and further information 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: FS Recruitment Email: fs.recruitment@forestrycommission.gov.uk Recruitment team Email: fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FCE by email: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.