Senior Social Media Manager

Job summary

About DBT and our mission

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.

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.

Job description

Role Summary

We’re looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Social Media Manager to lead the strategic direction of our social channels in one of the most fast-paced and high-profile environments in the UK.

As part of our newly formed Storytelling and Partnerships team, you will also play a key role in transforming how DBT communicates externally - helping to elevate our digital storytelling, forge impactful partnerships, and maximise the visual and narrative potential of ministerial visits.

You’ll be responsible for shaping how we show up across platforms - crafting bold, timely, and impactful content that informs, inspires, and connects with global audiences.

You’ll work alongside multidisciplinary teams on projects that truly matter - applying your digital expertise to campaigns that have national reach and real-world impact.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the development and execution of social media strategies that support high‑profile campaigns, ministerial visits, and day‑to‑day communications - ensuring every moment with storytelling potential is maximised across platforms.

• Manage and inspire a talented social media team to deliver creative, high‑impact, channel‑appropriate content across Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Facebook and emerging platforms, with a strong focus on real‑world stories from visits and stakeholder engagement.

• Translate complex policy and external affairs insight into accessible, human‑centred social content, showcasing businesses, workers, communities and partners who bring DBT’s mission to life.

• Collaborate closely with designers, videographers, animators and visits colleagues to create compelling multimedia content that captures strong visuals, authentic moments, and narrative opportunities from ministerial engagements.

• Monitor platform performance and audience behaviour, generating actionable insights that shape future visit storytelling, stakeholder amplification, and campaign optimisation.

• Advise on platform best practice and emerging digital trends, ensuring DBT’s visit content, partnership moments and external affairs storytelling remain fresh, relevant and innovative.

• Coordinate with press, policy, visits, and external affairs teams to ensure social content is aligned, timely, and strategically integrated into wider communications objectives.

• Support rapid response and digital crisis communications, providing clear, accurate and agile social content during fast‑moving situations, including those arising from visits or stakeholder activity.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage;

• Significant experience in a senior social media or digital content role, working on high-impact campaigns or in fast-paced environments.

• Exceptional copywriting skills, with the ability to craft sharp, concise, and engaging content tailored to each platform and audience.

• Proven ability to lead and deliver creative social strategies from concept to execution.

• Excellent editorial judgement, with a strong understanding of tone, clarity, and messaging for different audiences.

• Experience managing teams and building collaborative relationships across departments.

• Deep understanding of social media metrics, reporting tools, and audience insight platforms.

• Cool under pressure — confident managing real-time content and sensitive topics with care.

• Passionate about storytelling, public engagement, and using digital tools for positive impact.

Desirable Criteria

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates;

• Familiarity with large-scale public campaigns or initiatives.

• Understanding of accessibility best practices in digital communications.

• Experience working in a regulated or politically aware environment.

The Person

The below is a list of characteristics which may be helpful in this role. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but are laid out to help candidates understand more about the role.

This role would suit someone who lives and breathes digital storytelling - a creative strategist who can spot a powerful narrative in a ministerial visit, a stakeholder moment, or a policy announcement and turn it into content people actually want to watch. You’ll thrive in fast‑paced environments, balancing creativity with sharp judgement, and you’ll be energised by working at the intersection of social media, external affairs, and real‑world storytelling. You’ll be naturally collaborative, comfortable working with videographers, designers, press officers and visits colleagues to shape content that feels authentic and visually compelling. Above all, you’ll bring curiosity, agility and a strong editorial instinct - the kind of person who can translate complex ideas into human stories that resonate across platforms and audiences.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,391, Department for Business and Trade contributes £12,280 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 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 and Experience.

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.

Application

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• 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.

Sift

The sift panel will use the information in your Personal Statement and CV to assess your experience and knowledge.

Exact recruitment timeline subject to change, but interviews are likely to take place on w/c 16 February.

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 progressed to a full sift where the CV is then assessed, or progressed straight to further assessment/interview.

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 behaviours at interview.

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

• Communicating + influencing
• Changing + improving
• Seeing the big picture
• Making effective decisions

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 (Select as applicable from: 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 : Nicola Cutting
• Email : nicola.cutting@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 at Resourcing@trade.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: Civil Service Commission Complaints

Attachments

DBT T&Cs 2025-08-18 Opens in new window (doc, 46kB)DBT candidate pack July 2024 (1) (2) Opens in new window (pdf, 943kB)