57 Full time Jobs in Manchester

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 expand 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.

Job Description Overview

As the Social Video Lead within the Government Media Unit, you will be a creative and technical leader at the forefront of how the UK government communicates with citizens through social video, bringing platform-native expertise and a genuine passion for content that stops the scroll.

Reporting into the Head of Social Creative and Production, you will lead and mentor a team of social videographers, editors and motion designers, building a highly agile, social-first unit that moves at the pace of culture and consistently produces content that connects with real people in real moments. You will be the driving creative and technical force behind the GMU's organic social video output, with a deep, instinctive understanding of what works on Reels, TikTok, Shorts and the platforms that come after them.

You will oversee end-to-end asset creation from shoot to final edit, combining hands-on technical mastery with a sharp creative sensibility, you will bring the same exacting standards to every piece of content, ensuring visual hooks, fast-paced storytelling and native graphics all work together to deliver genuine impact.

With an instinct for emerging trends, trending audio and the ever-shifting rhythms of social platforms, you will continuously raise the creative bar across the department, ensuring the GMU remains ahead of the curve and produces social video content that is genuinely best in class.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to apply world-class social video skills in service of communications that reach and matter to citizens across the country.

Responsibilities & Duties

As Social Video Lead, your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and mentoring a team of social videographers, editors and motion designers, building a highly agile, social-first team with the skills, confidence and creative ambition to produce outstanding content at pace.
• Managing the delivery of highly engaging, organic social video assets, including Reels, TikToks and Shorts, specifically tailored for direct-to-citizen government campaigns and optimised for performance on each platform.
• Acting as the GMU's technical expert for social-first filming and editing, bringing hands-on mastery of mobile-optimised gear, agile camera setups and professional post-production software to every project.
• Executing hands-on production from shooting through to final edit, demonstrating exceptional craft in fast-paced storytelling, visual hooks and native graphics designed to capture attention and drive engagement in-feed.
• Continuously raising the department's creative standard by staying ahead of fast-moving organic trends, trending audio and best-in-class social video techniques, applying fresh approaches that keep the GMU's content culturally relevant and creatively distinctive.
• Embrace AI as a collaborative and creative tool, utilising within your workflows; experimenting, testing and implementing new tools to increase productivity and deliver at pace.

Person specification

Person specification - essential criteria
Experience / Ability

Essential

• Comprehensive Leadership Experience: Proven experience leading a multi-disciplinary production team of videographers, editors and motion designers to deliver fast-turnaround, engaging social content.
• Comprehensive Production Experience: Proven experience shooting, editing, and producing multi-format video content for a major brand, institution, or government department, ideally with a strong portfolio in high-engagement organic work. Proficient in self-shooting and equipment set-up, including sound and talent direction.
• Social Video Expertise: A deep understanding of social media video trends and platform-specific content requirements, with the ability to translate trends into actionable content strategies for government communications.
• Strong Communication and Direction Skills: Experience in collaborating with digital creators, influencers, senior stakeholders and the general public with a strong ability to produce content that engages diverse audiences and communicates effectively through third-party voices. Ability to bring out the best in people both on camera and behind the scenes.
• Creative Leadership: Experience in setting tone, style, and brand guidelines for video content. Proven track record in developing content that adheres to and advances brand goals. Creative flair and originality - a strong visual sense and ability to challenge where you feel innovation or improvements are needed.
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (or equivalent tools), with expertise in video editing, colour grading, audio, and visual effects. Advanced proficiency with mirrorless and cinema cameras and lenses.
• Management: Proven line management experience, ability to support a collaborative creative environment. Proactive and positive attitude with a passion for creating the best possible creative to truly engage audiences.
• Background in communications, journalism, digital media, or a related field.

Technical

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (or equivalent tools), with expertise in video editing, colour grading, audio, and visual effects.
• Advanced proficiency with mirrorless and cinema cameras and lenses.
• Perform filming, lighting, and sound recording during shoots. Handle post-production editing, including colour correction, audio mixing, and adding graphics as required.

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 for interview
• Your most up-to-date Portfolio

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Your most up-to-date Portfolio

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,204, Cabinet Office contributes £16,571 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 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 (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, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process

CV, portfolio (which should be sent to NMU@cabinetoffice.gov.uk with your candidate number) and personal statement of no more than 500 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 the experience section from your CV.

Selection process

If selected for 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 for interview

  • 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.

  • Take us through your portfolio

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 (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 : 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/.

Attachments

Cabinet-Office-Employee-Offer Opens in new window (docx, 762kB)Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions - External 2025-02-20 Opens in new window (docx, 83kB)