The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is seeking a head of campaigns, digital and brand.

The chosen candiate will avail of a £75,000 annual salary and will have a choice of location at one of Defra’s hubs – either in York, Newcastle, Bristol or London.

Applications for the position close at 11:55p.m on Sunday, October 15, 2023.

Defra said the chosen deputy director will lead a “highly motivated” team of communication professionals to deliver the department’s campaigns and digital strategies.

“This role requires a leader with expertise in creating an inclusive, agile and creative culture working in a communications environment supporting multiple organisations,” Defra said.

“As a leader you will drive and cultivate a team of communication professionals to deliver integrated digital and campaign expertise, while creating a culture of innovation.”

Job description

The department said the chosen candidate will be a leader, with expertise in creating an inclusive, agile and creative culture working in a communications environment within a large organisation.

The responsibilities of the head of campaigns, digital and brand will include:

  • Lead teams delivering the in-house capability to deliver professional, creative and innovative campaigns and digital content;
  • Create and deliver a culture where campaigns and digital communications are delivered as a single strategy;
  • Lead a campaigns and brand function delivering paid for campaigns for Defra and its arms length bodies and professional brand and design expertise, and a digital engagement and creative content team responsible for managing channels for Defra and its ALBs and creating high quality, expert content;
  • Equip the team with the skills and capability to deliver prioritised communications which are based on insight and are targeted across a range of channels to key audiences;
  • Oversee the development of digital and design ensuring that work is appropriately prioritised, planned, budgeted and external agencies are utilised in line with contracts;
  • Develop the team to be agile to enable delivery across competing priorities ensuring work is delivered to the highest standard while meeting Defra objectives;
  • As a senior leader in the department build strong, positive relations with ministers, special advisers, key external stakeholders and senior policy colleagues;
  • Work with Government Communication Service colleagues to ensure that Defra is delivering campaign and high-level design to professional standards which meet government priorities.

Defra said candidates will need to be able to show through their applications that they have the professional skills and experience for the role.

The department said candidates must be professional communications leaders who have a proven track record of this.

As well as this, they must have experience within an integrated digital and campaign environment in a large business or agency.

More information on this position, and its criteria, can be found on the Defra website.