Job description for Media Manager

As our Media Manager you will deliver proactive media communications that protect and enhance the SDA’s reputation.

You will manage and develop effective communications plans, write engaging copy, develop creative briefs, and manage events. You will have excellent communications skills alongside strong organisation and stakeholder management expertise.

Managing relationships is a key part of the role. You will work with communications teams across defence and industry to identify and exploit opportunities to highlight our successes and the scale and reach of our work. Coordinating major media facilities, you will travel to our sites around the UK as required to manage media and support our people.

Working with stakeholders both within and outside of the organisation, you will be confident engaging at all levels up to and including Ministers, providing advice and direction based backed by your demonstrable experience as a communications professional.

At the SDA, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be a minimum of 40%) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

What you’ll be doing

• Planning, delivering, and evaluating local and national Ministerial media facilities at sites across the UK, coordinating defence communications teams and other stakeholders as appropriate.

• Managing the delivery of proactive media communications across the SDA up to ministerial level to protect and enhance the organisation’s reputation. Tailoring content for various audiences – communicating complex defence information to the public, media, industry, opinion formers and defence experts.

• Working with the Secretariat team to provide an effective reactive news service to quickly respond to external issues with consistent messaging that protects the organisation’s reputation. Prioritising responses, working on tight deadlines.

• Liaising with a range of defence and non-defence media. Acting as a focal point for media engagement with Directorate of Defence Communications, briefing and advising on a variety of communications activity.

• Supporting and advising MOD Ministers and SDA senior leaders when communicating in public domain, and providing training where required.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Strong work experience in external communications, news media or public relations.
• Proven successful stakeholder management experience, internal and external at all levels.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Press and Media – Expert
• Campaigns and Marketing – Practitioner
• Communicating and Influencing – CSBC3
• Delivering at Pace – CSBC3

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,700, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,659 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So, whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences, and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Candidate Information Pack: http://bit.ly/SDA–Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writingfor best chance of success.
3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.

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