Digital Communications Manager

Job summary

The SIA is the organisation responsible for the regulation of private security. It is an independent, arm’s length body (ALB) of the Home Office, reporting to the Home Secretary, under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s purpose is protecting the public through effective regulation of the private security industry and working with partners to raise standards across the sector. Its regulatory remit covers the whole of the United Kingdom.

The SIA has two main duties: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry and the management of a voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme, which measures private security suppliers against independently assessed criteria.

SIA licensing covers security operatives who are in guarding, door supervision, close protection, cash and valuables in transit, and public space surveillance using CCTV, vehicle immobilisation (in Northern Ireland) and key holding. Licensing ensures that private security operatives are fit and proper persons who are properly trained and qualified to do their job.

Job description

In this role, you will lead on planning and implementing digital communications and engagement campaigns using data and insight, aligned to wider departmental outcomes.

The Digital Communications Manager is responsible for delivering social media campaigns, managing all SIA social media channels working closely with the external communications team

We are looking for a creative, proactive and experienced communications professional to join our team. You will be a team player who is passionate about using digital communications to drive measurable change.

You’ll be devising creative social media strategies to target our audiences, creating social media graphics, filming senior spokespeople as well as supporting the team with campaign activity

You will have a strong track record in devising and delivering compelling social media campaigns that build engagement, awareness and trust with external audiences. You will also have excellent planning and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex information into compelling content across a range of channels

· Designing and delivering creative social media plans

· Managing the day-to-day delivery of all SIA social media channels, continuing to grow our social media presence and engagement

· Creating social media graphics and filming and editing videos

· Using insight and evaluation to continually improve our communications output

· Develop, implement and continually improve our digital engagement strategy

· Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, supporting reputation and engagement objectives

· Lead the social media response to emerging issues, misinformation and periods of heightened public interest

· Practical experience in a social media or digital communications role

· Strong knowledge of social media channels, tactics, trends and best practice

· Experience using social media analytics, KPIs and performance reporting to drive continuous improvement

· Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.

Person specification

Essential

• A proven and effective track record of planning and delivering integrated digital communication strategies in corporate or public sector organisations using both traditional and innovative techniques.
• Experience of managing and delivering digital media campaigns, including a strong knowledge of social media including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and blogging
• Experience in the use of social media monitoring software to inform and evaluate
• Create high-quality video, photo and design content across all social media channels, ensuring output meets accessibility standards.
• High sense of creative awareness and good organisational abilities
• Ability to understand complex situations and interconnected matters, prioritise urgent issues whilst achieving outcomes to agreed deadlines

Desirable

• CIM qualifications desirable but not essential – equivalent rounded experience in all areas of marketing.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,401, Security Industry Authority contributes £11,993 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).

• A welcoming and innovative work environment.

• Continued support and development opportunities.

• Access to training for attainment of recognised qualifications.

• Flexible working arrangements.

• Annual leave entitlement will be 27.5 days, rising by one additional day for every two years of service up to a maximum of 32.5 days.

• A variety of discounts including Gymflex.

• Civil Service Pension Scheme – employee contribution between 4.60% and 7.35% and employer contribution between 26.60% and 30.30%.

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

Selection process details

The SIA does not use Success Profiles - please disregard any information below in relation to this.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and 500-word personal statement.

Further details around guidance for this is listed on the application form.

If you fail to submit all aspects of the application before the deadline of 23:55, 29/10/2026, your application will be withdrawn.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to outline why you believe you would be an ideal candidate for this role. Please highlight your relevant skills, experience and achievements that align with the essential job requirements.

To help us assess your suitability for the role, please complete the CV incorporated into the application form by providing as much information as possible about your previous work experience and achievements.

Should we receive a large number of applications, they will be sifted on personal statement only.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Interview details will be provided to successful candidates prior to their interview taking place.

Sift and Interview Process:

Sift will take place from 30/10/2026

Interviews will be held on 05/11/2026

Interviews will be held in person at our London office.

You will be required to prepare and complete a written assessment, particularly designing your own comms plan at interview stage. Details of this will be provided with invitations to interview.

Further Information

A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for a maximum of 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

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

Visa sponsorship

We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.

If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.

You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.

For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is 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 sia.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 interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional

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

Criminal Record Check

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.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.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.

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

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 : SIA Recruitment Team
• Email : sia.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

Complaints should be submitted to recruitment@sia.gov.uk . If, after investigation by the SIA, the complainant remains dissatisfied, they may bring their complaint to the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

JD Communications manager - Digital Oct 2026 (002) Opens in new window (pdf, 144kB)2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)