Senior Communications and Events Manager

Job description

As a Senior Communications and Events Manager you’ll: 

• lead CDDO’s events strategy, from concept to delivery you’ll be coordinating a range of flagship annual events including Services Week and notably supporting CDDO’s presence at events such as Civil Service Live. Alongside this, you’ll be responsible for the creation of accessible content and narratives with impact to support the wider communications strategy as well as ensuring reporting of delivery against the communications strategy to senior leaders in CDDO
• oversee CDDO’s strategy and process for taking part in speaking engagements, supporting the senior leadership team and others to maximise opportunities to reach target audiences and build CDDO’s profile
• oversee or advise on CDDO internal events
• develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across government to agree and align on shared messaging for digital, data and technology, and secure brand buy-in. Actively contribute to building a digital, data and technology communications community through a variety of communication formats to ensure professionals are aware of, and aligned to CDDO’s Transforming for a Digital Future strategy
• work with wider CDDO colleagues to ensure all communications activities have robust plans which align to the communications strategy and that teams are feeding into external communications opportunities
• manage short term planning and coordination with the Cabinet Office press team through CDDO’s communication grid. Triage incoming requests for communications support for new or emerging communications priorities
• support on delivery of key campaigns to promote delivery of CDDO’s work, including content, press, social media, events and audience analysis

Person specification

You will be an experienced strategic operator with expert knowledge and understanding of events management, and wider experience of the whole communications mix. You have extensive and demonstrable experience in setting direction, overseeing delivery and measuring efficacy of events and other communications activity. 

This role requires:

• an experienced communications and/or events professional with knowledge and understanding of how to plan, deliver and evaluate events using clear frameworks
• high level writing and editing skills with an understanding of different types of content that can be used for different purposes
• experience of managing risks and issues in relation to events and other communications activities, and assessing the reputational impact of content
• you cope comfortably with ambiguity and thrive on being creative and innovative 
• experience of managing a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including external agencies, and their competing priorities.

Benefits

The benefits of working at CDDO

There are many benefits including:

• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
• a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days 
• an extra day off for The Kings birthday
• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
• paid volunteering leave 
• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
• death in service benefits
• cycle to work scheme and facilities
• access to children's holiday play schemes across different locations in central London
• access to an employee discounts scheme
• 10 learning days per year
• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

CDDO offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home and also spends some time in their local office. You’ll agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs.

Any move to the Central Digital and Data Office 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

Things you need to know

Selection process details

The standard selection process for roles at CDDO consists of:

• a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 750 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above
• a 60 minute video interview
• There will also be a presentation at the interview.

Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours: 

• communicating and influencing

Strengths: 

• Explainer
• Relationship builder

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.