Press Secretary to the Secretary of State

Job description

About the job

Job summary

In the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose - to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.

Our communications team are looking for a Press Secretary to the Secretary of State with experience of working in a complex environment that is subject to significant public, political and media scrutiny. We are looking for an experienced communicator who will bring energy, experience and dynamism to the role.

We can offer you a competitive package, an excellent range of training and development opportunities, a friendly and supportive team and, above all, the chance to play a key role in communicating some of the most important issues in society today.

A background in the health and social care sector is not an essential requirement for this role, but experience of working within media and or comms is required. This is a fantastic opportunity and if you are excited by this agenda and think you can meet the challenges; we look forward to hearing from you.

We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares the directorate's and wider department's commitment to diversity and inclusion, while ensuring candidates who apply through the Disability Confident Scheme requiring adjustments will be supported during our recruitment process. You'll be joining an organisation that offers an excellent range of training and development opportunities.

Job description

You will be a senior member of our 24-hour media service managing risk and reputation, delivering real time rebuttal as well as creative, original proactive media opportunities.

As Press Secretary to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, you will oversee all communications for the Secretary of State, ensuring her priorities and agenda are understood by a wide range of audiences through traditional and non-traditional media channels.

As part of the Communications Management Team, you will work to help design and deliver our communications strategy while playing a key role in leading our high performing media team.

This leadership role is one of the most senior positions in the communications division working closely with a high-profile cabinet minister and influencing how policy is communicated in a prominent government department.

Person specification

• The focus of this role is to provide strategic media advice to the Health and Social Care Secretary of State and oversee their major announcements, visits and events
• As press secretary, you will oversee all media requests for the Secretary of State and be required to establish strong relationships with journalists, briefing them on major health and social care policies to shape the news agenda
• With this in mind, your ability to develop a close and constructive working relationship with the Secretary of State, special advisers, private office, and senior officials is vital and you will be required to confidently shape and offer trusted media advice on a daily basis
• You will report into the Deputy Director, Head of Media Relations, who you will support in providing strategic direction for the wider team
• You will be required to attend high-level meetings to help shape decision making, while being responsible for briefing the Secretary of State ahead of media appearances and interviews

Key skills and experience required for the role

Essential:

• Media related experience, bringing the ability to quickly identify issues that will be of interest, and an appreciation of the rapid pace at which stories move in a 24/7 communications environment
• A track record of building effective relationships and contacts, and confidently briefing at all levels to ensure accurate and informed reporting
• Experience of working on high profile complex issues and gaining the confidence of and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Highly developed written and oral communications skills
• Ability to rapidly brief on complex issues, presenting in a clear and concise manner and identifying key messages
• Ability to confidently lead, inspire and empower teams and to build team capability

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace

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

• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Ability to develop and deliver effective communication strategies and products, using sound judgement and strong written and verbal communication skills to engage stakeholders and partners and achieve desired outcomes

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £74,962, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £21,716 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%

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.

Expected Timeline (subject to change)

Applications will be sifted W/C: 24/08/2026

Interview date: W/C 31/08/2026

Interview location: The interview will take place at39 Victoria Street, Westminster, London, SW1H 0EU.

Further details and interview slots will be released to candidates who are successful at sift.

Application Process

Applications will be sifted on CV, Personal Statement and a Behaviour.

An initial sift based on the lead behaviour: Communicating and Influencing may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the 'key skills and experience required for the role' section of the advert.

Please use your personal statement to (in no more than 500 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert.

Candidates must ensure that all information provided in their application is factually accurate. Any examples provided must be taken from personal experience. The Civil Service abides by honesty and integrity as part of its core values, if evidence of plagiarism is found, applications may be withdrawn.

Interview

At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours, Experience and a Technical Skill.

At interview candidates will be assessed against their Media related experience. Candidates will be sent a scenario shortly before the interview (no preparation required ahead of the day of the interview), to prepare and present at the start of the interview to assess the Technical Skill-Ability to develop and deliver effective communication strategies and products, using sound judgement and strong written and verbal communication skills to engage stakeholders and partners and achieve desired outcomes.

Further information

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to meet key stakeholders, including the Secretary of State. Candidates may also be invited to attend a second interview. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates in advance.

To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service careers website https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/departments/working-for-the-department-of-health-social-care/ and to find out more information on how to apply visit the Civil Service careers website https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/

Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.

Full-time Only

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.

Criminal Record Check

Please note that applicants will require BPSSclearance.

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 [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Internal Fraud Check

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.

Reserve List

Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to DHSC 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 [email protected] 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.

Terms and Conditions

Candidates should note that DHSC's Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.

New Entrants to the Civil Service

New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC's modernised terms and conditions:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
• Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King's birthday
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months' full pay and five months' half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Probation: 6 month probation period

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

Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion

All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC's modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).

Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion

If DHSC's modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC's pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC's modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

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.

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.

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 : Rebecca Tyers
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the DHSC Central Recruitment Team at [email protected]
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact/