Senior Communities Manager

We’re looking for a proactive and organised professional who can engage and support the cross-government data community, by working on a busy calendar of virtual and in person events.

As a Senior Communities Manager you'll:

• support the Data Community Lead with engaging the cross-government data community, and work towards the community objectives set out in the blueprint for modern digital government
• lead on the design, delivery and continuous evaluation of a key strand of the data community strategy and plan, producing or coordinating the creation of accessible content and narratives with impact. Ensure reporting of delivery against the strategy to senior leaders in GDS
• develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across government to agree and align on shared messaging for the data community as well as gain buy-in for delivering the six-point plan for public sector digital reform
• work with wider GDS and DSIT colleagues to ensure all activities have robust plans which align to the community strategy. Manage short term planning and triage incoming requests for support for new or emerging priorities
• deliver key work as part of the data community strategy, including content, press, social media, events and audience analysis. 
• support with the organisation and promotion of a calendar of virtual, in person, regional and London-based, cross-government, data events and community meetings
• strengthen cross-government data community engagement, and create, and write a new monthly newsletter to inform the whole community

Person specification

We're interested in people who:

• are experienced professionals with the knowledge and understanding of how to plan and deliver community engagement activities using clear frameworks
• have high level writing and editing skills with an understanding of different types of content that can be used for different purposes
• have knowledge and understanding of planning and delivering engaging virtual and in person events, and can work across all aspects of a large engagement programme
• possess design skills, understand how to use digital events and marketing platforms, and can film and edit footage on a smart phone
• have extensive and demonstrable experience in delivering and measuring the efficacy of community activity
• have the ability to be able to grasp a variety of fast moving, often nuanced and complex policies quickly and effectively
• can cope comfortably with ambiguity and thrive on being creative and innovative 
• have experience of managing a wide range of stakeholders and their competing priorities

Benefits

The benefits of working at GDS

There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:

• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
• a Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days
• an extra day off for The King’s birthday
• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
• paid volunteering leave
• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
• death in service benefits
• cycle to work scheme and facilities
• access to children's holiday play schemes across different locations in central London
• access to an employee discounts scheme
• 10 learning days per year
• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

Any move to Government Digital Service 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Office attendance

The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.

DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).

Things you need to know

Selection process details

The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:

• a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and for you to answer 3 application questions
• a short written task, which will be provided to successful candidates in advance of their interview and to be submitted on the day of the interview
• a 60 minute video interview

Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.

While we value the use of AI technology to enhance our daily work, we also value the personal touch and urge applicants to write cover letters without the use of AI to emphasise their own unique experiences.

In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is:

• How would you approach creating an engaging agenda for an in person community event? What channels and technology would you use to organise the event, and develop content on the day?

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• working together
• changing and improving
• seeing the bigger picture
• communicating and influencing
• delivering at pace

Recruitment Timeline:

Sift completion: Thursday 8th May 2025

Panel interviews: Commencing Thursday 15th May 2025

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

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 and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Other information

In January 2025, it was announced that the Government Digital Service (GDS) will move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) as a part of a machinery of government change. This change aims to bring together the digital transformation of public services into one central department, presenting exciting opportunities and positioning DSIT to lead the government’s digital agenda.

This role is in scope to transfer to DSIT when the machinery of government change takes place.  As a result,  if you are successful and appointed by Cabinet Office to this role before 1st June 2025, your role will transfer from Cabinet Office to DSIT at the time of the relevant machinery of government change taking place. If your start date is after 1 June 2025, you will be appointed direct to DSIT and your appointment will be unaffected by the machinery of government change.  We are currently consulting with our Trade Unions on which policies, terms and conditions will apply on transfer.  The statement of changes applied to all other Cabinet Office staff will also apply to you if you are successful.

We encourage you to apply and look forward to reviewing your application. We will keep you updated throughout the process.

Sponsorship

DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.