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About the Role

The Ministry of Justice press office is a highly valued team within government, recognized for its expertise in shaping news across various media platforms. As a Chief Press Officer, you will lead a dynamic team, inspiring creative storytelling and influencing the department's work. This role offers significant influence and responsibility, requiring insightful, motivated individuals with excellent news judgment and a passion for creativity.

Responsibilities

Manage a team of press officers on briefs such as Prisons, Probation, Courts & Law, Justice & Victims, or the Newsdesk.
Deliver a high-quality, 24/7 media relations operation for Ministers, Executive Agencies, and officials.
Drive teams to find creative ways to generate media coverage and manage the risk of criticism.
Develop and coach team members to ensure high performance and continuous improvement.
Provide leadership for the wider press office, setting the culture and inspiring creative approaches.
Handle media for announcements, visits, speeches, and crisis incidents.
Set up and manage media facilities, organize interviews, and draft reactive statements.
Brief journalists to generate and influence coverage.
Identify creative opportunities across digital platforms, podcasts, specialist outlets, and emerging channels.
Play a key role in the Senior Management Team, contributing to strategic decisions and office culture.
Play an active role in the senior management team, considering the wellbeing and capability of the whole office.
Act as a leader, making considered decisions under pressure and providing clear direction.
Coach the team to maximize their abilities and drive their development.
Scope out creative opportunities across various media channels to reach different audiences.
Manage a modern media team in developing proactive longer-term handling strategies.
Contribute to improving the Press Office’s understanding and use of digital communication.
Provide media-handling advice on policy briefs to senior stakeholders.
Develop strong relationships with journalists and brief them confidently.
Anticipate breaking news stories and drive swift, robust responses.
Facilitate collaboration with other MoJ communications functions, departments, and agencies.
Participate in a management back-up rota for out-of-hours duty press officers.

Requirements

Must be an existing Civil Servant or employee of an accredited non-departmental public body (NDPB).
Sharp news sense.
Politically savvy.
Excellent media skills from relevant press office experience.
Experience of leading others and driving high performance.
Ability to thrive under pressure and make tough decisions.
Credibility to impress senior stakeholders, including Ministers.
Experience of working in government communications is ideal but not essential.
Must be able to submit a CV and a personal statement of suitability (max 750 words).
May be required to complete a writing and prioritisation exercise on the day of interview.
Must meet minimum selection criteria for interview if disabled.
Must meet minimum selection criteria for interview if eligible for Redeployment Interview Scheme.
Must meet Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Skills

Media handling advice
Media facility management
Interview organization
Statement drafting
Journalist briefing
Digital platform strategy
Podcast strategy
Specialist outlet strategy
Emerging channel strategy
Team leadership
Creative thinking
News judgment
Crisis communication
GCS Insight
GCS Ideas
GCS Implementation
GCS Impact

Location

London

Work Type

Hybrid Working
Full Time
Permanent

Experience Level

Grade 7
Experience in a busy communications or journalism role is preferable
Experience of leading others
Experience of driving high performance
Experience of working in government communications is ideal

Salary/Compensations

£63,343 - £70,725

Benefits

Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years’ service.
Option to buy or sell up to three days leave each year.
Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day.
Choice of Civil Service pension schemes.
Extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Opportunity to join employee-run networks.
Family Friendly policies (reduced hours, job share).
Access to flexible benefits (retail vouchers, discounts).
Potential eligibility for government childcare support schemes.
Paid paternity, adoption, and maternity leave.
Free annual sight tests for computer screen users.
Significant additional payments for participating in the management back-up rota for out-of-hours duty press officers.

About the Company

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) operates at the heart of issues that matter deeply to the public and can dominate the news agenda, covering areas such as drugs in prisons, crime reduction, sentencing laws, and victim support.
The MoJ press office is widely recognized as the gold standard within government for shaping stories and influencing news across print, broadcast, online, and new media.
The department has a diverse remit including prisons and probation, family justice, legal aid, and modernizing the courts system.
The MoJ is committed to staff development and has worked hard to develop an inclusive culture.
The MoJ is a family-friendly organisation.
The MoJ is a Disability Confident employer.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.
The MoJ is committed to exploring redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant.

Equal Opportunity

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace.
The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent wherever it is found.
The MoJ is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity, respecting difference and external experience.