Details
Reference number
424108
Salary
£44,720 - £47,850
GBP
Job grade
Senior Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
HO - Digital Data and Technology
Type of role
Communications / Marketing
Working pattern
Full-time, Job share, Compressed hours
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Manchester, Sheffield
About the job
Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
The Chief Operating Officer Group works closely with the Home Office's policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the department's priorities. The group is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Security, Estates and Information and Digital, Data and Technology.
The Home Office Automation and Innovation portfolio is delivering the government's commitment to "set the standard for excellence in the AI age" - harnessing cutting-edge technology to revolutionise public service delivery. As outlined in the Government's Generative AI Framework, we're in "a period of rapid and exciting technological changes, which offers huge potential" - and we're turning that potential into reality.
Our work spans the incredible diversity of the Home Office's mission-critical operations - from transforming Border Security and Immigration processes to revolutionising Asylum case management and enhancing Counter-Terrorism capabilities. Imagine developing technology that helps reunite families, creates safer communities, protects vulnerable people, and ensures smoother journeys for the millions travelling to and from the UK.
Each area presents unique challenges where AI and automation can deliver substantial efficiency savings while improving outcomes for both the public and our colleagues.
Our Automation & Innovation portfolio operates at an impressive pace. We've already delivered millions in efficiency savings by automating routine tasks, allowing our operational colleagues to focus on the complex human-centred work where they add the most value. Every solution we implement ripples across the organisation, creating meaningful and measurable improvements in how government serves the public.
We're not just talking about AI's potential – we're actively building solutions that make a real difference to people's everyday experiences.
Job description
This role sits at the heart of our team engagement, ensuring our people understand and champion our automation mission.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
* Lead internal channel strategy and management Develop and oversee the strategic approach to all internal communication channels, ensuring consistent messaging and effective channel governance across the organisation.
* Create engaging content for weekly notes and updates Craft compelling, accessible written content that keeps staff informed about organisational developments, translating complex information into clear, engaging language.
* Coordinate fortnightly all-hands calls and team events Manage end-to-end event planning including agenda development, speaker coordination, technical setup, and follow-up communications.
* Manage MS Teams and SharePoint channels Oversee technical and content management of digital platforms, including channel structures, permissions, moderation, and user training.
* Develop and deliver internal campaigns Create comprehensive communication campaigns to support organisational priorities, applying behavioural insights and managing multi-channel approaches.
* Support change communications Develop clear communication strategies for organisational transformation, addressing employee concerns and maintaining morale during transitions.
* Plan and execute team building activities Design and deliver activities that strengthen workplace relationships, boost morale, and reinforce organisational culture.
* Measure internal engagement Establish KPIs for communications effectiveness, analyse engagement metrics, and produce reports demonstrating impact and areas for improvement.
* Create leadership communications Craft high-quality materials for senior leaders including speeches, briefings, and presentations, ensuring strategic alignment and consistent messaging.
* Build team community and culture Foster positive workplace environment through connection opportunities, recognition programmes, and culture-building initiatives.
Personal Attributes and Skills
* Creative thinking - Generate innovative solutions to communication challenges and develop fresh approaches to engaging internal audiences.
* Strong organisational abilities - Manage multiple concurrent projects, maintain content calendars, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality communications.
* Excellent writing skills - Create clear, compelling content across various formats while ensuring accessibility and adherence to plain English principles.
* Project management capabilities - Successfully deliver campaigns from conception to evaluation, including stakeholder management and resource allocation.
* Attention to detail - Ensure accuracy in all communications and maintain brand consistency to meet government communication standards.
* Team player - Work collaboratively across disciplines and with embedded communicators throughout the organisation.
* Digital savvy - Effectively manage digital platforms, understand audience behaviour, and stay current with communication technologies.
* Event coordination expertise - Successfully plan and execute meetings and gatherings, managing logistics and stakeholder coordination.
Working Pattern
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis. However, job-share and compressed hours are available.
Travel
Occasional travel within the UK may be required. Travel costs incurred for business need will be reimbursed in line with Home Office travel policy.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
* Proven experience in internal communications.
* Expertise in managing and optimizing digital communication channels.
* Excellent writing and content editing capabilities.
* Demonstrated experience in planning and coordinating events.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Teams and SharePoint platforms.
* Skilled in developing engaging and effective content.
Desirable Criteria
* Government communications background - This provides essential understanding of government communication standards, processes, and the regulatory environment. Given the role involves creating leadership communications and supporting organisational priorities, knowledge of government-specific requirements and context is crucial.
* Community management expertise - This directly supports multiple key responsibilities including managing MS Teams/SharePoint channels, building team community and culture, coordinating events, and measuring internal engagement. It's fundamental to the internal communications discipline.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Changing and Improving
* Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
* 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%.
* Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
* See more of our benefits on our careers website.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
1. Application - 14th September 2025.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
* CV detailing your career history, qualifications and skills/experience
* Personal Statement (maximum 500 words)
* Evidence of the Behaviour - 'Communicating and Influencing' (maximum of 250 words per Behaviour)
Your CV should consist of yourcareer history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be used to provide further context on your personal statement and scored against the essential criteria.
The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (Personal Statement, Behaviours and CV) you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
2. Sift - commencing from 18th September 2025.
The sift will be held on the CV, Personal Statement and Behaviour.
Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Behaviour - 'Communicating and Influencing'. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of the CV and Personal Statement.
3. Interview – commencing from 6th October 2025
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be assessed using Behaviours and Strength based questions (as listed on the advert).
Interviews will be carried out via Teams. Candidates will be required to have access to:
* A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
* Good internet connection
* Microsoft Teams
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you've made a mistake on an initial application, please contact, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.
Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.
Location Preferences
You can select up to twolocations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred location(s) and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Reserve lists will be held for each location. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.
Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security Checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
Further information
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.
For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
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- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
NSV
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is 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 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.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .
See our vetting charter .
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)
* 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
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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 .
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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
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 : HORC Campaign Team (DDaT)
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.