Job type
ContractLocation
LondonWorking Pattern
Flexible Working,Full-timeSpecialism
CommunicationsIndustry
Government & Public ServicesPay
£550 - £650 per day (inside ir35)Closing date
14 Aug 2025
Head of Transformation Communications and Design | Interim | Must have SC clearance
I am recruiting for an experienced and strategic Head of Transformation Communications and Design to lead a major transformation programme for the Department for Business and Trade on an interim contract for 6-12 months.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver strategic communications during a period of significant change.
SC clearance is required for this role.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership for all Transformation communications across the Department, ensuring that communications activities align with Departmental priorities.
- Advise and collaborate with the Executive Committee and Senior Leadership Team, ensuring effective, consistent, and impactful messaging that supports organisational objectives and enhances reputation.
- Design and deliver integrated communications strategies that reach diverse internal and external audiences, drive cultural change, and support complex transformation initiatives.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary communications team, fostering a culture of high performance, continuous professional development, and innovation.
- Champion best practice in stakeholder engagement, proactively managing relationships with senior stakeholders, cross-government partners, and external organisations (if required)
- Oversee the planning and delivery of high-profile staff engagement initiatives, such as department-wide briefings, town halls, and digital communications campaigns, ensuring two-way dialogue and feedback mechanisms are embedded.
- Set and assure communications standards, governance, and evaluation frameworks across the department, consistently measuring impact and driving continuous improvement.
- Work closely with DBT’s internal comms team to ensure alignment of messaging, branding and content.
- Drive the development and innovation of the department’s brand, digital channels, and engagement approaches, ensuring communications are inclusive, accessible, and audience focused.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Must have valid SC clearance
- A proven track record of leading on transformation communications, particularly during periods of change or restructuring
- Experience working in a complex or matrixed organisation - with at least some professional experience of working in government
- Strong stakeholder management skills and experience of working effectively with senior leaders, up to and including SCS3s
- A thinker and a doer – with a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery capabilities
- Experience running staff meetings, creative campaigns, and managing internal comms channels - evidence of measuring the success and impact of campaigns.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong project management experience
Desirable Skills
- Knowledge of change management methodologies
- Experience working within a government transformation programme
- Digital communications expertise and video editing skills
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.
For more detailed information, or to view other vacancies with this organisation, please visit our dedicated recruitment website https://webmicrosites.hays.co.uk/web/dbt
