Department for Education
Senior Social Media Manager
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London (SW1P 3BT), Sheffield (S1 2FJ)
Job Summary
IMPORTANT - This vacancy is using the Civil Service Numerical and Verbal tests. The deadline for completing the tests is the same as the vacancy closing date. Please ensure you complete the tests with sufficient time to complete the written application.
The Department for Education is looking for an experienced, senior social media manager to join our social media team on a fixed term contract.
The Senior Social Media Manager will play a central role in the management and publishing of social content across departmental channels and collaborations with third party storytellers. They will work closely with the Head of Channels and Engagement, the Head of Content, another Senior Social Media Manager and the team’s videographers and creatives. This role also requires close collaboration with other communications teams, key stakeholders within the DfE including ministers, Special Advisors, and other government departments to assist in growing our audiences and engagement.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience, and a proven track record in social media comms, digital storytelling, and working with creators, as well as enthusiasm to work with online news media. They will be able to think strategically and creatively around specific audiences, pitch creative ideas for how to reach them, brief teams on content concepts, and have an expert knowledge of the social media platforms we operate on.
Fascinated by digital storytelling, the Senior Social Media Manager will be well versed in analytics, and have the capability to plan ahead, react in the moment, and spot opportunities to make more of our existing content and introduce new strands of content.
Highly organised, results driven, resourceful, a team player, strong communicator, and trusted copywriter, they will be looking for a unique challenge that makes a genuine difference to people and sits at the heart of government.
Job Description
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Manage the content output on DfE organic, owned social media channels and support ministerial channels.
- Take the lead on reactive, proactive and calendar specific projects, planning, producing, owning, and managing key social projects and initiatives.
- Help to shape content and social strategy alongside the creative team, and see these ideas through to publish.
- Advise content creator colleagues, other comms teams and private offices on platform-specific best practice and trends.
- Build and develop relationships with audience-specific external content creators, digital media platforms, and well-known public figures with a view to creating impactful collaborations.
- Ensure the right tone of voice for the DfE and ministers as required.
- Balance creative storytelling alongside the responsibilities and expectations of a government social media account.
- Manage and maintain the DfE social publishing schedule.
- Contribute to creative development and production of assets.
- Analyse and report on content performance with relevant analysis and recommendations.
We welcome applications from candidates seeking part time or compressed working pattern. However, due to the nature of the work and the shift coverage required, the minimum number of contracted hours for this role is 30 hours per week over a 4 day period.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Experience of taking ownership of a suite of social media platforms within a large organisation.
- Experience of working in a fast-paced environment with the ability to adapt and flex to ongoing developments.
- Confidence challenging the status quo and defending editorial decisions.
- In-depth knowledge of the major social platforms and how to utilise them effectively to deliver comms that speak to key audiences.
- Utilise data to effectively inform strategies, plans and bring others ‘on the journey’.
- Strong copywriting experience and an eye to detail.
- Effective planning and publishing experience.
- Positive attitude and collaborative approach to work, keen to be involved in the team.
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Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Changing and Improving
- Delivering at Pace
Alongside your salary of £48,999, Department for Education contributes £14,195 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).
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
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, Strengths and Experience.
To apply for this role, please select 'Apply Now' at the top or bottom of this advert. CV details need to be included in the template within the application form; attached or emailed CVs will not be considered.
Stage 1: Civil Service Numerical Test (CSNT)
When you have completed your personal information, you will be asked to complete the CSNT. You must achieve the minimum pass mark to progress to the next stage.
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Stage 2: Civil Service Verbal Test (CSVT)
When you have completed the CSNT, you will be asked to complete the CSVT. You must achieve the minimum pass mark to progress to the next stage.
Stage 3: Written Application
To apply for this role, you will be required to provide a CV and Statement of Suitability.
Your CV should include details of your employment history, and the skills and experience gained in those roles. Your Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) should demonstrate how your experience meets the essential criteria listed above.
We will use your CV and statement to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria listed in the person specification section above.
When looking at your experience, we’re looking for examples of things you have previously achieved or your knowledge in a particular field, which are relevant to the job role. We’re not looking at how much time you spent in a particular field, but rather how you performed. Sometimes experience can be transferable from a non-work context. Skills gained through voluntary work or a hobby, such as teamwork or communication, can demonstrate the experience required for the role.
To confirm, the maximum word count for the personal statement is 750 words. Please adhere to this limit as anything over 750 words will not be taken into account.
The sift will be restricted to assessing personal statements only in the event of a large volume of applications.
More guidance on personal statements can be found here – completing your application.
We reserve the right to increase the minimum pass mark for the CSNT and CSVT where there is a high volume of applications or a particularly strong field of candidates. Where this occurs, candidates who do not meet the revised pass mark will not progress further, and their written application will not be assessed.
Stage 4: Interview
At interview you will be asked questions around the Behaviours listed in the advert. We will also ask you some Strength-based questions.
Strengths are a way for Hiring Managers to understand what motivates you and what you enjoy doing, which helps the panel to understand your areas of strength. Evidence shows that people do better work when a job aligns well with what they enjoy and find motivating. We don’t advertise which strengths we are going to assess you on as we want to be able to assess your first, natural response to the questions.
Behaviours are the actions and activities that people do which result in effective performance in a job. We want to get an understanding of the actions and activities that you have done (or would do) that result in effective performance.
As part of the interview process, candidates will be required to prepare and deliver a short presentation. No visual aids or handouts will be required, but notes can be used. The presentation will be assessed against the essential criteria for the role and the topic shared with shortlisted candidates.
Important Information
If you fail to complete the tests before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn. Guidance will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are untimed, administered via Civil Service Jobs, and applicant guidance is available during the test and online on GOV.UK Online Tests guidance.
Applicants must complete the test
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