Senior Social Media Manager - Government Media Unit

Details

Reference number

471111

Salary

£43,760 - £51,690

London (£47,670 - £51,690)

National (£43,760 - £47,413)

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

CO - Government Communications

Type of role

Communications / Marketing

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time

Number of jobs available

2

Contents

Location

About the job

Benefits

Things you need to know

Apply and further information

Location

London, Manchester

About the job

Job summary

What is the Government Media Unit?

The Government Media Unit (GMU), part of the Government Communication Service in the Cabinet Office, has been established as part of a fundamental transformation of government communications to ensure we are able to operate effectively in a highly fragmented and unstructured media landscape. Established in April 2026, the GMU has a clear goal to reach, connect and rebuild trust with UK citizens in the most effective way possible. Our aim is to provide the public with relevant, useful and authentic content when and where they want to receive it and communicate in an entirely new way.

The government has signalled a clear intention to focus on ambitious, measurable, long-term objectives that deliver better outcomes for citizens. This requires a new way of doing government communications which is more joined-up and better reaches our audiences to build awareness, understanding and trust in the Government.

The GMU will proactively deliver on priority campaigns and lead on cross government communications strategy, coordination, and planning. We need people who think differently and who can respond in a flexible way to the ever-changing media landscape. The GMU will collaborate across the wider GCS, No 10 and departmental communication teams across government. We are focused on real-world impact over volume. This team prioritises evidence-based strategies, audience-led insights, and rigorous performance measurement to combat misinformation and drive meaningful engagement. We execute a modern, integrated communications ecosystem, and operate using a structured 'Long, Short, and Live' model, connecting the whole government communications landscape to deliver high-impact, data-driven narratives that turn promises made into promises kept.

This is a really exciting time to be joining the GMU as we look to our activity, test and learn different approaches and deliver communications which make a difference to people’s lives. Join us as we transform government communications, moving beyond reactive announcements to build genuine trust through competence, integrity, and benevolence. We are a strategic strategy & delivery centre, designed to bridge the gap between traditional press offices and behavioural marketing, ensuring government actions resonate with the citizens who need them most.

Job description

What we’re looking for

We're seeking innovative minds and creative talents to help craft our evolving vision. This is a unique opportunity to grow, learn and share your talent with a team of diverse experts with passion and a genuine curiosity to innovate government comms. Most importantly, we want people who are passionate about delivering outstanding communications for the public.

We value colleagues who embrace change, think outside the box, and thrive in a dynamic environment. We welcome applications from the widest range of people of different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. If you're passionate about making your mark and flourishing in an atmosphere that champions fresh thinking and adaptability, we want to hear from you.

About the Government Communication Service

By joining a communications team, you will become a member of the Government Communication Service (GCS), a well-established network of professional communicators working in government departments, agencies and arm’s length bodies. You’ll benefit from continuous professional development from our new learning and development curriculum, a network of skilled communicators sharing best practice, mentoring opportunities, and more!

For more information on how becoming a part of the Communications Profession can support your career and development please visit our careers page.

For our top tips on how to write your application, please take a look at our recruitment top tips for candidates guide.

Overview

A platform-specialist role responsible for the day-to-day management, health and growth of a designated government social media channel. Working within the GMU's Creative pillar alongside the wider social media team, you will combine deep platform knowledge with strong editorial instincts to ensure government content reaches citizens in ways that feel native, relevant and trustworthy on each platform.

You will be the GMU's primary expert and day-to-day owner for your assigned platform, staying ahead of algorithm changes, emerging formats and audience behaviour shifts to keep government communications current and effective. Working closely with the Senior Social Media Manager, content creators, and evaluation colleagues, you will help ensure the GMU's always-on social presence is consistently high quality, well-timed and genuinely engaging for the public.

Responsibilities & Duties

Take day-to-day ownership of a designated government social media platform, maintaining its overall health, growth and engagement levels. Drive the platform-specific strategy by staying current with the latest trends, best practice guidance and product developments, and cultivate a strong working relationship with the relevant platform representative to ensure the GMU benefits from the earliest possible access to new features and opportunities.

Oversee the high-quality publishing of all assets on your designated platform, ensuring content is scheduled and posted at optimal times to maximise reach and audience engagement. Take responsibility for the native adaptation of all content, tailoring captions, formats and creative treatments to suit the specific culture, conventions and audience expectations of your platform, so that government communications feel authentic and relevant rather than out of place.

Lead active community management on your designated platform, monitoring citizen responses and interactions in a timely and considered way. Foster meaningful engagement with the public, escalating issues where appropriate and contributing to a social media presence that feels responsive, human and trustworthy.

Monitor and report platform-specific analytics to the evaluation manager on a regular basis, providing clear and accurate data to support measurement of the GMU's always-on strategy. Stay informed of emerging trends, platform algorithm changes and shifts in audience behaviour, using these insights to make proactive recommendations that improve content performance and inform future publishing decisions.

Person specification

Experience / Ability

Social Media Expertise: Experience managing, scaling, and optimising organic social channels across major platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, etc.).

Track Record of Results: A portfolio demonstrating the ability to create and execute engaging social content that drove clear, measurable results (e.g., audience growth, high engagement, or website traffic).

Process Improvement: Experience identifying inefficiencies in day-to-day workflows and helping to implement or refine new processes (e.g., content calendars, asset management) to improve team output.

Budget Tracking & Maintenance: Experience assisting with budget management, tracking spend across production and tools, and ensuring campaigns stay within allocated financial limits.

Reputation & Editorial Judgment: Strong editorial judgment with experience handling sensitive community management issues, Escalating brand risks appropriately, and adhering to brand guidelines.

Data & Performance Analysis: Solid experience tracking content performance, using analytics tools to evaluate impact, and identifying key drivers of success to inform future content ideas.

Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Business, or a related field (or equivalent practical industry experience).

Technical

Experience with platform publishing tools.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Communicating and Influencing

Delivering at Pace

Seeing the Big Picture

Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Presentation/Task

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,760, Cabinet Office contributes £12,677 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides .

Learning and development tailored to your role.

An environment with flexible working options.

A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.

A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process

For your application, you will need to provide a CV and a personal statement of no more than 750 words outlining what makes you a suitable candidate for the role from the information provided in the job description

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using your experience from your CV.

Selection process

If you are invited to interview you will be assessed on the following

Experience

Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing

Delivering at Pace

Seeing the Big Picture

Making Effective Decisions

Presentation/Task

Task to be shared in advance of the interview slot (once shared) if the candidate is successful in their application. The candidate would then be asked to present the task in the Presentation portion of the interview within a limited time.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – TBC

Expected interview date/s – TBC

Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .

See our vetting charter .

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

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)

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

Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Name : NMU@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Email : NMU@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/.