Head of Social Media

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.The Communications Directorate is a multi-disciplinary team delivering the Home Office’s communications strategy. We are insight-led and results-driven, and our marketing campaigns support strategic objectives using a wide range of channels. We seek to provide high quality media, rebuttal and social media services. Our Internal Communications team supports employee engagement and business transformation.

This is an incredibly exciting, high profile and challenging job in government communications, providing a unique opportunity to work at the heart of an incredibly busy department which has an impact on everyone’s lives.

As Head of Digital Communications, you will oversee one of the most innovative digital teams in Government. From working with some of the world's biggest content creators and social publishers, to overseeing some of the fastest growing owned social media platforms in all of government, this role will give you the opportunity to be at the forefront of insight-driven digital communications outputs. Over the last year alone, these have allowed the department to reach hundreds of millions of additional users online.

The Head of Social Media is a vital role within the Communications Directorate. You will be responsible for the overall Home Office digital media strategy, charged with pushing the creativity and innovation of our output and working collaboratively with colleagues to leverage third parties and new media outlets.

We want a proven leader to set the strategic direction and lead on content and channel strategies which reflect our target audiences, while demonstrating continuous improvement in quality and engagement. You will lead the team to develop stretching KPIs, ensuring that all digital activity is data driven with actionable insights and regular reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of impactful communications across owned and earned digital channels, ensuring clear, audience-focused messaging on complex policies.
• Own brand and content output, using audience segmentation and insight to tailor communications across multiple platforms.
• Build and manage partnerships with external digital stakeholders (e.g. police forces, influencers, and digital media outlets) to extend reach and maximise impact.
• Stay ahead of digital trends, analytics, and platform algorithms to inspire innovative, high-performing content.
• Combine hands-on content creation (e.g. filming, asset production) with strategic leadership and team direction.
• Manage senior stakeholder relationships, including government departments and ministerial teams, providing trusted digital communications expertise.
• Advise on risks, challenges, and opportunities in the digital landscape, including during crises and periods of ambiguity, while upskilling colleagues to enhance digital capability across the wider communications team.
• Play a key leadership role within the Communications Directorate, deputising for the Deputy Director and leading teams through high-pressure situations and crises.
• Ensure ever-closer collaboration in planning and delivery with the wider Communications Directorate.

Working Pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.

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