Senior Ministerial Visits and Events Manager

Job summary

The Department for Work and Pensions makes a difference to the lives of millions and is behind the biggest changes to welfare and pensions for a generation.

The DWP is an excellent place to work with exceptional opportunities to learn, develop and grow in this role working with some of the most senior leaders in the country.

We now have a rare opportunity to join our Ministerial Visits and Events team as we are looking for a talented and experienced communications professional to join us.

As part of the role, you will help deliver an outstanding programme of visits and events that delivers for our Ministers and Permanent Secretary, strengthens stakeholder relationships and creates excellent media opportunities. This will require regular travel around the UK for visits, events and recces, as well as overnight stays.

You will need to be a confident and dynamic leader, who can work at high standards and thrive under intense pressure to tight deadlines.

As well as this, you will have direct regular face to face contact with the Ministerial team. You therefore need to be able to confidently advise Ministers, Special Advisers and other key senior colleagues on visits and events while also developing strong relationships across the department and Whitehall.

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

The role is full time and will be based in Caxton House, London

Job description

Responsibilities will be:

• Plan and deliver a strategic programme of high-quality ministerial visits and events. You will also be required to multitask multiple visits/events at any one time whilst meeting line manager responsibilities.
• Compile and coordinate written materials to a high standard and tight deadlines including ministerial briefings, itineraries, and other materials to support visits for Ministers/Permanent Secretary.
• Management of IO direct report/s, with leadership and effective line management, fostering a high-performance culture through clear direction and development. You must ensure their work is delivered to a high standard with a responsibility for clearances.
• Work closely with stakeholders to ensure visits and events are aligned to and deliver on ministerial communication priorities. You will ensure visits are created with media and communication objectives in mind.
• Planning and delivering a programme of ministerial visits and events, taking into account the wider political landscape, upcoming media announcements and ministerial and governmental priorities.
• Covering for the head of team Grade 7, when required.

Please Note: Due to the nature of the role, candidates will be required to work full time hours. Out of hours working and regular travel across the country is a feature of this role. You must be able to accommodate overnight travel and early starts/late finishes (sometimes with late notice) to deliver visits and events.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Experience planning and delivering visits and events for senior level stakeholders, such as senior executives, CEOs, government Ministers, from conception to completion, and confidence briefing and advising seniors
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to mentor and edit other people’s work to a high standard whilst working to critical time sensitive deadlines .
• Exemplary organisational skills and the ability to co-ordinate and lead a number of complex visits simultaneously, whilst handling and managing any changing circumstances in real time
• Demonstrative ability to manage and plan a portfolio of events and visits whilst maintaining the highest standard
• Experience of understanding both the media landscape and organisational environment to identify potential opportunities for events and visits
• Experience navigating and working within complex stakeholder environments alongside understanding high level priorities and the wider picture.

Please note:

If there are a high number of applications the top three essential criteria listed above will be used for an initial sift.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Insight
• Ideas
• Implementation
• Impact

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £55,807, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £16,167 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).

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Important Information

DCS Criteria additional information:

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may also be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards

Hybrid Working

This role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work.

If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for the role and for you, you will normally be required to spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted working hours from your DWP office.

If you have a disability, caring responsibilities, or other circumstances that may affect your ability to meet the minimum office attendance requirement, please discuss this with us using the contact details in this advert.

Regular time in the office is essential when you work as part of the wider DWP Press Office. Being in the office is essential at times, with the need to work closely with key stakeholders that include, Ministers, No. 10, Press, colleagues, etc., often via in-person meetings. This blended working approach allows you to work collaboratively, meet stakeholders in-person, support others and promotes a healthy work life balance. As stated, If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Visa Information

We strongly recommend that applicants consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before deciding to apply. Please note that while we consider sponsorship requests in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, sponsorship cannot be guaranteed.

Due to legal considerations in this area, if you have questions about visas, please contact the VISA Sponsorship Team for assistance at visa.sponsorship@dwp.gov.uk.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

Selection will be by a written sift, followed by an interview (face to face)

The Civil Service uses a Success Profiles to assess candidates’, knowledge and skills.

You will be assessed against experience, behaviours, strengths and Government Communications Service (GCS) technical skills.

We’ll assess both what candidates are good at, as well as what they enjoy, to help us measure candidates’ behaviours, strengths and their potential. The assessment process comprises of a written application and for shortlisted candidates, a short scenario-based exercise and interview.

Written application

You’ll need to complete a CV and Personal Statement when you apply. Your CV should set out your career history with key responsibilities and achievements. Your Personal Statement (max 1000 words) should explain how your personal skills and qualities make you a suitable candidate for this role. Your CV and personal statement will both be assessed against the essential criteria set out on slide 5.

Interview

A ‘blended’ interview lasting around 1 hour will test a mix of behaviours, technical skills and strengths.

It may help to use the WHO or STAR model to explain:

What the task/ work was, How you approached the task/work/situation and what the Outcomes were, what did you achieve? Or What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?

Please see next page for more details on the selection process.

Written Application

The written sift will be conducted using evidence from your CV and Personal Statement and will be assessed against the key criteria within the advert.

Please note – If there are a high number of applications received, an initial sift may be undertaken based on the first 3 essential criteria listed on slide 5. Candidates who pass the initial sift may progress to a full sift or may go straight to interview.

Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview. This will be a face-to-face interview. The interview panel will be a minimum of two people. The interview will assess:

We’ll assess candidates against the following Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours www.gov.uk

at SEO level:

• Making effective decisions
• Delivering at pace

For this professional communications role, you’ll also be tested against the following Government Communications Service (GCS) technical skills at SIO level

• Insight
• Ideas
• Implementation
• Impact

You’ll also be assessed against two Success Profiles: Strengths - GOV.UKrelevant to the role. These aren’t defined by grade

Interview Exercise

Shortlisted candidates will be expected to carry out a short-written scenario-based exercise at the start of the interview. You do not need to prepare in advance for this. This exercise will be assessed against the behaviour “Delivering at Pace” and technical skill “Implementation”.

Sift and Interview Dates:

Our anticipated timetable - which may be subject to change - is as follows:

• Shortlisting will take place commencing W/C 13/07/2026
• Interviews will commence W/C 27/07/2026
• Interviews will be held in person. Further details will be provided if you are successful and shortlisted.
• To apply for this post please follow the instructions in this candidate pack or the job advert on Civil Service Jobs.
• Please submit your application no later than 23:55 15/07/2026

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

If you’re an existing Civil Servant and want to know more about transferring to another Department, refer to your current department’s guidance on transfers within the Civil Service.

Candidates should not resign from their current job until all appropriate checks have been successfully completed.

Further Information​

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:

• If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
• If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

Disability Confident Scheme

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

Reasonable Adjustments

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” 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.

Integrity, plagiarism and Civil Service Principles

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.

Examples of plagiarism can include:

• Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own
• Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own

Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks

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.

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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 successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out.

Important

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

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.

Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWP’s Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.

Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions.

Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.

Any move to DWP 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. Determine your eligibility at the Childcare Choices Website.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a 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.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 : Jasmin Beckett
• Email : jasmin.beckett@dwp.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s 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 DWP by email: HR.BUSINESSASSURANCE@DWP.GOV.UK.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 (2) Opens in new window (pdf, 60kB)Government-Communications-Professional-Competency-Framework (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 5307kB)Vac 464626 Senior Ministerial Visits and Events Manager CP Opens in new window (pdf, 827kB)Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview Opens in new window (pdf, 635kB)