Communications Officer

Job summary

The Department for Business and Trade sits at the heart of the government's number one priority: kickstarting economic growth to deliver the highest sustained growth in the G7. Our mission is clear – to drive more people into good jobs, raise living standards, and deliver productivity growth in every part of the United Kingdom.

We achieve this by making the UK the best place in the world to do business, making the UK the most connected economy, and delivering great services to business. Through our Industrial Strategy, Trade Strategy, Small Business Plan, and Plan to Make Work Pay, we're working in partnership with business to create the conditions for investment, innovation, and job creation that will put more money in working people's pockets.

With 95% of UK businesses wanting to grow and 37% of international investors in 16 key markets likely to invest in the UK, our challenge is translating strong policy delivery into business uptake and public trust. We're positioned to demonstrate tangible economic impact through authentic business, consumer, and worker stories that show – not just tell – how government is delivering growth in partnership with business.

Our communications transformation

DBT's Communications and Marketing function is undergoing a bold transformation to meet the demands of the modern media landscape and deliver on our ambitious growth mission. We're moving from traditional discipline-based communications to an integrated, outcome-focused model that positions communications as a critical delivery enabler, not just a service function.

Our integrated approach

Working through matrix teams, we bring together multidisciplinary communications and engagement professionals to deliver priority campaigns under one strategy aligned to the growth mission. Our approach is built on three pillars:

• Targeted behaviour change: Hyper-focused campaigns driving business uptake of export support, employment rights compliance, and service-led communications linking policy to practical business support

• Real stories: Case study-driven campaigns featuring businesses creating jobs and workers benefiting from new rights, with local ministerial visits showcasing investment wins and peer-to-peer business advocacy

• Progress and delivery moments: Strategic use of set-piece events and milestones to demonstrate momentum and build trust through demonstrated impact

Job description

Mission-led approach

All our activities directly support the Growth Mission. We translate complex economic policies into clear narratives for target audiences across all DBT communications and engagement channels. Our communication outcomes contribute to the overall mission milestone of "higher living standards in every part of the United Kingdom." We operate with SMART objectives, use insight to drive clear audience journeys from awareness to action, and measure impact through metrics aligned to the mission milestone.

By joining DBT Communications and Marketing, you'll be part of a team that's redefining how government communicates about economic growth – working collaboratively across disciplines, using evidence and insight to drive impact, and demonstrating how government partnership with business is creating jobs, driving investment, and improving living standards across the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional who wants breadth, variety, and the chance to work at the heart of one of government's most dynamic departments. DBT sits at the centre of the UK's economic ambitions — driving investment, supporting businesses, and creating jobs across the country — and our communications team plays a direct role in telling that story.

We're recruiting Communications Officers who will work across our integrated communications and marketing function. Rather than being tied to a single specialism from day one, you'll be placed where you're needed most — whether that's media, digital, campaigns, external affairs, or strategy — with the opportunity to rotate across functions and build genuine breadth of experience over time.

No two days are the same. You might be handling a fast-moving media story one week and supporting a major ministerial visit or integrated campaign the next. You'll need to be adaptable, politically aware, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift and the landscape changes quickly.

You'll work in a matrix structure, collaborating across multi-disciplinary teams that span press, digital, campaigns, visits, external affairs, marketing, creative, insight, and strategy. This means you'll build relationships across the whole function, gain exposure to how different disciplines connect, and contribute to communications that have real-world impact.

While many roles will involve working across different communications disciplines, some posts will sit within specialist teams — such as newsdesk or marketing — offering the chance to build deeper expertise alongside contributing to integrated campaigns.

Key accountabilities

• Deliver high-quality communications activity across one or more disciplines, including media office, digital, campaigns, external affairs, visits, or strategic communications, depending on placement
• Work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary, matrix teams — building strong relationships across functions and contributing to joined-up communications delivery
• Support the planning and delivery of integrated communications campaigns aligned to DBT's growth mission, contributing to measurable outcomes for businesses and workers across the UK
• Respond rapidly and effectively to a shifting political and media landscape, exercising sound judgement and maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and propriety
• Contribute to the development of compelling, insight-driven content and communications that translate complex economic policy into clear, engaging stories
• Support ministerial visits, set-piece moments, and proactive communications that demonstrate delivery and progress against the government's missions
• Monitor and report on communications performance, using data and insight to inform decisions and continuous improvement
• Contribute to an inclusive, high-performing team culture, supporting colleagues and sharing learning across the function

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Experience of delivering communications and marketing activity, with an understanding of how different disciplines — such as media, digital, campaigns, or stakeholder engagement — work together
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, compelling content for different audiences under pressure
• Experience of working collaboratively within teams and building productive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, remain calm under pressure and maintain quality
• Evidence of using insight or data to inform communications decisions or measure impact
• Ability to work at pace, adapt quickly to changing priorities, and maintain a positive, solutions-focused approach
• Commitment to inclusive communications and an understanding of how to reach diverse audiences

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in government communications or a similarly complex, fast-paced environment
• Experience across more than one communications discipline, including delivering demonstrable results on social and news media
• Experience supporting ministerial or senior stakeholder communications activities
• A strong grasp of digital and social platforms, with the ability to generate innovative, audience-first ideas that drive engagement
• Understanding of the need for political sensitivity and propriety in government communications

The person

We're looking for curious, collaborative communicators who are energised by variety and motivated by impact. You'll thrive in an environment where no two days look the same, where the political landscape shapes your priorities, and where you're expected to bring both creative thinking and sound judgement to everything you do.

You'll be equally comfortable diving into a breaking media story and contributing to a long-term integrated campaign. You'll build relationships across the whole communications function and beyond, and you'll see working across different teams and disciplines not as a challenge but as an opportunity.

Above all, you'll be motivated by the chance to communicate the real difference that economic policy makes to businesses and workers across the UK.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,367, Department for Business and Trade contributes £10,245 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:

• A CV detailing your career history, including any relevant qualifications and experience.

• A Personal Statement (max. 500 words) demonstrating how you meet the requirements of the job description, responsibilities, and essential criteria.

Your application will be sifted against the Experience criteria of the Civil Service Success Profiles.

We aim to sift both the CV and the Personal Statement but, in the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift may be conducted on the Personal Statement only.

Candidates who pass the initial sift of the Personal Statement will either progress to a full sift where the CV is then assessed or progressed straight to further assessment/interview.

Candidates who pass the sift will be invited to interview, where we will assess you on the Success Profiles elements of Behaviours, Experience and Strengths. We reserve the right to hold a second interview.

It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date, though this is subject to change.

Interview Process Details

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview. This vacancy will use the Civil Service Success Profiles and we will assess your experience, and behaviours at interview.

During the interview candidates will be asked questions based on the following Civil Service behaviours and strengths.

• Communicating and influencing
• Delivering at Pace

• Working Together

You will also be asked three strength based questions.

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

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

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.

• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.

• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.

• 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. Any applicant who has 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.

• Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

• Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.

• Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI 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.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk

Vetting

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5-years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

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

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 (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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) (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
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).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 theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more 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 : Martha Buckley
• Email : martha.buckley@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints.

Attachments

DBT T&Cs 2025-08-18 Opens in new window (doc, 46kB)DBT candidate pack July 2024 (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 943kB)