Senior Internal Communications Manager

Job description

Job summary

Working in the Department for Work and Pensions internal communications team is an exciting, inspiring opportunity that will challenge and develop you as a communications leader. You will be working on high profile initiatives, helping to shape communications on issues that directly influence tens of thousands of colleagues, communities and everyday lives across the country.

We welcome applications from outstanding candidates who want to apply their expertise in delivering impactful internal communications at scale to support understanding, drive engagement and deliver quality business outcomes.

Job description

As our Senior Internal Communications Manager , you will :

• Work with your team to develop internal communications and campaigns that are thoroughly planned and fully aligned to DWPs wider communications strategy. These campaigns will look to innovate and break new ground, taking inspiration from best in class internal communications.
• Act as a trusted advisor, providing strategic advice and constructive challenge to senior leaders to make sure that their communications engage - and resonate with - our internal colleague audiences.
• Gather intelligence and insight and analyse the effectiveness of internal engagement to help inform current and future engagement strategies. We build two-way communication campaigns that engage our people and show we are listening to feedback.
• Provide exceptional leadership and line management, working collaboratively across the wider internal communications function and communications directorate. Develop internal communications talent and build robust succession plans.

Person specification

Experience Criteria for the Role:

Internal communication and campaign delivery: you can demonstrate how you bring together the right people to design and deliver engaging campaigns, with proven ability to craft clear, compelling messaging from complex source material and influence outcomes.

Strategic stakeholder influence and advice: you have proven experience of confidently building trusted relationships with the most senior stakeholders across complex organisations to deliver positive communications and outcomes.

Reputational awareness: you understand the political and organisational context that large organisations and their internal communications operate in and can confidently demonstrate how you use good judgement to handle sensitive issues.

Responding to uncertainty: you can show your experience working through uncertainty and with incomplete information, being a flexible, confident and decisive member of the team who can work autonomously and help us to thrive even during changeable times.

Evaluation, insight and continuous improvement: you can confidently demonstrate times when you have driven an insight-led culture in a team that has resulted in the translation of research and data into clear recommendations.

People leadership and building capability: you can demonstrate how you have inspired improvement in those around you, coaching and developing colleagues with a focus on skills building and prioritising workloads.

We will ensure that you are fully supported and can develop your career as a skilled communications professional. DWP is committed to creating an organisation and workforce which is as diverse as the customers we serve. As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of gender, race, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Technical skills

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

• Insight
• Ideas
• Implementation
• Impact

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 50,487, Department for Work and Pensions contributes 14,626 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 (prorata 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 years 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 Womens Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

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 Experience and Technical skills.

Selection will be by a written sift, followed by a Face-to-Face Interview.

The Civil Service uses a Success Profiles to assess candidates, knowledge and skills. You will be assessed against experience and Government Communications Service (GCS) technical skills.

Well assess both what candidates are good at, as well as previous achievements to help us measure candidates experience and their potential. The assessment process comprises of a written application and for shortlisted candidates, a short scenario-based exercise and interview.

Written application

Youll need to complete a CV and answer four questions when you apply. Your CV should set out your career history with key responsibilities and achievements. Your CV will not be scored.

The four experience questions (250 words) will be assessed against the experience criteria.

The written sift will be conducted using evidence from your answers to the following questions:

Question 1) Describe a complex evaluation that you have designed from scratch, including any use of digital analytics, campaign performance metrics or audience insight? (Lead question)

Question 2) Tell us about a time you used evaluation findings to influence senior stakeholders or shape a significant decision. How did you present your evidence and gain buy-in?

Question 3) Give an example of a challenging evaluation you have managed or delivered. What obstacles did you encounter and how did you overcome them to ensure credible results?

Question 4) Describe your experience of commissioning and managing external evaluation suppliers or tools. How did you ensure quality, value for money and outputs that were effectively integrated into decision making?

Please note If there are a high number of applications received, an initial sift may be undertaken based on the lead question. Candidates who pass the initial sift may progress to a full sift or may go straight to interview.

Interview

A blended interview lasting around 45 minutes to 1 hour will test a mix of experience and GCS technical skills as detailed below The interview will be a mix of questions and a scenario-based exercise. The experience questions will be based on the experience criteria. As part of the interview there will be an exercise which will be completed prior to the interview. Candidates will present their work at the interview. Details of the exercise will be shared with those candidates invited to 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.

You will be tested against the following Government Communications Service (GCS) technical skills at (SIO) grade.

• Insight
• Ideas
• Implementation
• Impact

Selection and Feedback

We will notify all candidates as soon as possible. Feedback will only be provided following an interview. A reserve list will be held for up to 6 months, which we may also use to fill future similar vacancies. Candidates should not resign from their current job until all appropriate checks have been successfully completed. If youre an existing civil servant and want to know more about transferring to another department, refer to your current departments guidance on transfers within the civil service.

If you have questions about the role, or the application process, please contact [email protected]

Sift and Interview Dates :

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

• Shortlisting will take place commencing 21/09/2026
• Interviews will commence W/C 05/10/2026
• 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 21/09/2026

If youre an existing Civil Servant and want to know more about transferring to another Department, refer to your current departments guidance on transfers within the Civil Service.

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

If you have questions about the role, DWP or the application process, please contact

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 [email protected] 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 youre 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

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.

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 applicants 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 Information

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 DWPs 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.

DCS Criteria additional information

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

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.

Visa Information

Please note thatforthesevacancieswe recommend that applicants seek specialist advice on their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship (if applicable) when considering whether to apply for any role.

We can never guaranteesponsorship,requests will be considered in line with the relevant DWP guidance and Home Office policy in place at the time.

Due to legal considerations in this area, if you have questions about visas, please contact the VISA Sponsorship Team for assistance at [email protected] .

For candidates requesting to work in Sheffield Hartshead Square, these roles will initially be based at Hartshead Square and then move to 1 West Bar by early 2028 or
For candidates requesting to work in Sheffield Kings Court, please note these roles will initially be based at Kings Court and then move to 1 West Bar by early 2028

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 the Civil 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 : Alex Jenden
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions 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: [email protected]. 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) Senior Internal Communication Manager 472283 Opens in new window (pdf, 946kB) Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview Opens in new window (pdf, 635kB)