Deputy Director for Communications, Borders & Trade - Belfast
1 day ago
Belfast
About the job Job summary Core Purpose: Head of Communications for the Borders and Trade Group, supporting the Director General and c.1500 colleagues in facilitating the smooth flow of trade to underpin a strong economy. Job description Strategic Communications Leadership • Own and lead the overall communications strategy and delivery for the Borders and Trade (B&T) portfolio, balancing customs-focused operational priorities with longer-term strategy., • Provide proactive strategic communications counsel and advice to Ministers, HMRC Permanent Secretaries, the Director General, Director of Communications, and other senior leaders to support business objectives and protect/enhance HMRC's reputation., • Act as a senior enterprise leader across HMRC, the Communications profession, and the Government Communications Service, setting direction and driving performance., • Lead cross-Government working on border issues, navigating the complexities of a major operational department and balancing HMRC interests with those of other government departments (OGDs)., • Provide enterprise leadership of a multi-disciplinary communications business partnering function, spanning operational, strategic, internal, change communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and campaign delivery., • Set stretching goals and targets for the B&T communications team, ensuring all communications to customers, stakeholders, and colleagues are impactful and of the highest quality, leveraging effective insight and evaluation., • Drive one or more strands of the HMRC Communications Functional Strategy., • Lead communications around key B&T deliverables, including:, • Supporting the border industry (traders/hauliers) to comply with changes like the Windsor Framework, Import Control System 2 (ICS2), Automated Export System (AES), and Trade and Security Systems (TSS)., • Supporting the TSS contract procurement process and managing associated reputational risk., • Providing support and reputational risk management during Major Incidents affecting the UK border., • Supporting the move to Regime Ownership, driving internal campaigns, and building a positive culture among B&T colleagues., • Be a highly visible, inspirational, and credible member of the Communications Senior Leadership Team., • Lead and manage a high-performing communications team, including direct line management and responsibility over a wider team. Initially your focus will be on supporting the B&T Director and business area., • Expert Strategic Communications Leader : Extensive experience in developing and implementing successful evidence-led communication strategies across a range of disciplines (strategic, internal, change, media, campaigns, stakeholder engagement) to achieve quantifiable objectives., • Trusted Senior Advisor: Proven track record as a trusted communications advisor to Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, and other senior decision-makers, with experience of supporting senior leadership visibility and engagement in a complex, fast-paced operational environment. Highly politically astute with excellent judgement., • Enterprise Leadership and Influence: Highly effective enterprise leader, able to navigate the complexities of a major government department and lead cross-departmental working to create joined-up strategies. Confident and talented in communicating and influencing across all levels., • High-Performing Team Management: Proven track record in leading and managing a high-performing, multi-disciplinary communications team in a fast-paced environment subject to intense scrutiny, driving continuous improvement and focused on delivery., • Insight-Driven Delivery: Extensive experience directing insight-driven communications, including low-cost/no-cost behaviour change campaigns, with a strong ability to analyse data and translate insights into actionable, outcome-focused strategies., • Learning and development tailored to your role, • An environment with flexible working options, • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity, • A CV detailing your career history, key responsibilities and achievements accounting for any employment gaps within the last two years., • 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) (opens in a new window), • 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