Associate Director, Communications and Engagement

Job Introduction

We’re seeking to appoint an exceptional Associate Director of Communications & Engagement to help us make a difference to our planet.

World changing work 

From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.

Your world of expertise

Do you want to be the guardian of the nation’s favourite topic of conversation? Are you passionate about communicating the value and impact of weather and climate science? Do you have the skills and experience to lead a high-performing communications team and advise senior leaders on strategic communications? Do you want to work for a world-leading organisation that helps people make better decisions to stay safe and thrive every day?

If so, we have an exciting opportunity for a senior leadership position within the Met Office as Associate Director of Communications and Engagement. You will be responsible for developing and delivering a best-in-class external and internal communications strategy that supports our purpose and vision, enhances our reputation, and engages our staff and stakeholders.

You will lead a team of communications professionals who cover media relations, campaigns, social media, content creation, brand management, crisis communications, internal communications, and employee engagement. You will act as the lead advisor to the Chief Executive and wider leadership team on all aspects of communications and media handling, mitigating risks and maximising opportunities. 

This is a full time role, however flexible working and job share will also be considered. We are offering visa sponsorship and a relocation package for this position.  We encourage applications from those wishing to join on secondment from another organisation.

Key objectives and responsibilities include

• Accountable for the development of the Met Office Engagement Strategy and its delivery at an operational level, including:
  • Accountable for all aspects of our external communications including reputation and crisis management, delivery of campaigns, proactive relations with the media, strategic communications, channel management, creative content and social media that help change attitudes or deliver behaviour change among our audiences.
  • Accountable for all aspects of our internal and corporate communications including employee engagement and listening, corporate communications on strategic priorities, channel management such as the intranet, events such as the awards for excellence that all support the culture of the organisation and ensure effective two-way communications with staff.
• As the most senior Communications professional at the Met Office act as lead advisor in the provision of high quality and professional advice on communications strategies and media handling. A key part of this is involves helping the CEO spot and mitigate risks and maximise opportunities.
• Build trust and influence with external networks through effective stakeholder management with other parts of government including senior officials at Director level across as well as developing key communications relationships with print and broadcast news journalists, influencers and commentators to further the Met Office’s communications objectives. 
• Accountable for the creation of the Met Office corporate narrative, value proposition and brand including tone of voice, Met Office vision and purpose and our values.
• Being a visible, senior leader and strong contributor to the wider Met Office Extended Leadership Team, Executive and Communications SLT, both leading and contributing to corporate initiatives as necessary.
• Sound management of resources and budgets, including identifying and realising no- and low-cost ways of delivering communications.
• Play a leadership role in the Government Communications Service, developing influential working relationships with other Government Departments through the delivery of Arm’s Length Body elements of the GCS strategy.
• Lead, inspire and develop a modern communications and engagement function especially through times of transformation, focused on professional development and the use of use of insight and evaluation and to deliver our organisational objectives.

Why join us

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is accredited as a 'Great Place to Work UK 2024' and in addition has achieved a place on both the UK's 'Best Workplaces in Tech' and 'Best Workplaces for Women' lists.

As our Associate Director, your total reward package will be up to £103,000 annually, which includes:  

• £72,500 base pay
• An outstanding Civil Service pension – Annual Employer Contribution of £19,000
• A discretionary performance related bonus and eligible to participate in a Associate Director bonus scheme
• Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave
• Relocation Assistance may be available.

Essential Qualifications, Skills & Abilities 

If you can demonstrate the essential criteria, we encourage you to apply. 

1. Significant experience in leading and delivering external and internal communications strategies and plans that achieve outcomes in a complex and high-profile organisation, preferably in the public sector or a scientific organisation.
2. Extensive leadership experience with a track record of leading, developing and motivating a high-performing multi-skilled communications teams in complex, evolving environments.
3. Expertise in managing high-profile media relations, crisis communications and reputation management.
4. Proven ability to provide authoritative and influential advice to senior leaders on strategic communications issues and opportunities.
5. Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills across a range of internal and external partners.
6. Experience of working with a range of stakeholders including government, the media, trade union with an understanding of the political and policy environment we operate in.
7. A commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in communications practice, including the use of insight, evaluation and digital channels to deliver successful outcomes.
8. A commitment to personal continuing professional development through a related professional body such as GCS, CIPR, CIM or PRCA etc.

How to apply 

If you share our values, we’d love to hear from you. Apply by attaching your CV to your profile and adding your supporting statement with evidence against each of the essential criteria within the application form providing evidence against each criteria. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills. 

Closing date: Wednesday 11th September at 23:59. You can expect to receive an update on your application on or around 18th September, after our shortlisting has taken place. Interviews will be taking place on 1st and 2nd October 2024. Our interview process will comprise a stakeholder panel interview and psychometrics.

If successful, please note we are unable to offer expenses for travel to your normal place of work. However, we are offering a relocation package if required.

How we can help: 

If you are considering applying and need assistance to do so, please contact us via careers@metoffice.gov.uk. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. 

You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident (Guaranteed Interview) Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role. 

We are an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.