Description This is an exciting opportunity to join the busy, friendly and creative Strategic Communications and Marketing team at Social Security Scotland, an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Social Security Scotland was created by the Scottish Government to deliver a number of benefits. These includes payments that support families, young people, carers, disabled people and young people starting work. The Strategic Communications and Marketing team is responsible for communications advice, planning and delivery of communications activity to raise awareness of benefits administered by Social Security Scotland to help people be aware of and apply for benefits they may be entitled to. The successful applicant will act as an account manager who collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that communications outputs and partnership activity are effective, clear and reach people in engaging ways. This person will be responsible for implementing strategic communications, marketing and engagement plans for a corporate audience. This will include supporting the delivery of creative outputs across a range online and offline channels. This team plays an active role in media management with a focus on corporate issues but a broader understanding of benefit specific queries. This includes proactive PR and also responding to any reactive media enquiries. The successful candidate will be part of an on-call media rota. The External Communications Manager (Corporate) will contribute to the ongoing evaluation of the teams outputs and will use this analysis to influence work plans. Responsibilities Responsibilities Source, write, edit and manage high quality content for a range of Social Security Scotland channels – including media releases, website articles, social media content, client literature (e.g. factsheets, leaflets, posters) and marketing materials Supporting creation and implementation of coordinated strategic communication, marketing and engagement plans using insight and analysis to develop and deliver creative communications plans, advising on the best messages, methods and channels to reach and influence audiences both internally and externally Supporting proactive media and PR activity, such as writing press releases, securing feature articles and editorial partnerships, and supporting Ministerial visits including media interview bids and managing reactive enquiries (including on call responsibility) Managing the regular review of communication and marketing materials to make sure that these are up to date, accurate and that we are continually improving Provide credible and authoritative communications advice and support to colleagues, including senior leaders Work flexibly with colleagues across the communication team to deliver integrated external and internal communications across multiple platforms and channels Qualifications Success Profiles We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about how we assess the Success Profile elements. Technical skills This role comes with a Communications pay supplement. The role is aligned to the Scottish Government Communications Competency Framework. Please review the following to understand the skill expectations Communications competency framework • Insight • Ideas • Implementation • Impact Essential Experience 1. Substantial corporate communications experience including using creative skills across a range of communications channels and building media relations. 2. First-class writing and editing skills, a good news sense, the ability to prioritise under pressure, and to turn around clean, crisp copy in plain English to tight deadlines. 3. Ability to deliver across marketing campaigns and digital channels, using a programme of continuous improvement and learning. 4. Excellent organisation skills and ability to coordinate communications activity being delivered across multiple teams. Behaviours • Leadership (Level 3) • Communicating & Influencing (Level 3) • Making Effective Decisions (Level 3) You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk) How to apply Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and personal statement on the first Essential Experience. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed. We will test your behaviours, technical skills and experiences as part of the sift process, and if successful, you will be invited to an assessment and interview where we will test these again. Full details of the selection process will be made available to shortlisted candidates once the sift has been completed. Expected Timeline (subject to change) Sifting – w/c 3rd February 2025 Interviewing – w/c 17th February 2025 (Not on Monday 17/2) Reserve List In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months. About Us Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find out more about us here. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Specialist Communications Pay Supplement This post attracts a £2,000 post-specific recruitment and retention Pay Supplement, rising to £3,250 after 12 months satisfactory service. Pay supplements are temporary payments designed to address recruitment and retention issues caused by market pressures and are subject to regular review Working Pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in our Glasgow or Dundee office. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. Equality Statement Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at recruitmentsocialsecurity.gov.scot Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer support and recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Further information Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade. Social Security Scotland’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk) If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at recruitmentsocialsecurity.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner. If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitmentsocialsecurity.gov.scot Apply Before - Wednesday 29th January at 23:55 Contact name - Resourcing Team Contact email - recruitmentsocialsecurity.gov.scot