Communications Manager

Working in a small but busy team, the role holder will work within the Scottish Prison Service’s Office of the Chief Executive. The role requires a high level of collaboration with colleagues across the organisation, Scottish Government and our wider stakeholder network.

The role holder will be a dynamic individual, who will work well as part of a team, while also providing leadership for more junior colleagues. They will help contribute to a professional and proactive approach to media and communications under the leadership of the Head of Communications.

As an experienced communications professional with a broad range of skills, the role-holder will have the flexibility to work across a range of disciplines; examples of which include media relations, interpretation and analysis of policy, and effective handling of sensitive information. With a requirement to occasionally deputise for the Head of Communications, this role places a level of accountability on the individual to ensure media and communication lines are accurate, sensitive and provided under, at times, challenging deadlines.

The role-holder will be a confident communicator, able to develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, respecting sensitives and confidentiality. The ability to respond quickly and accurately is key to ensure that complex information is presented in a clearly and appropriately for a diverse range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities Support and maintain effective relationships with key external stakeholders, in support of the strategic direction of the service, helping to deliver corporate priorities. Show leadership in the co-ordination of key messaging across a range of communication platforms, both internally and externally. Ensure that internal stakeholders are aware of the potential impact on prisons of wider developments in the political and legislative landscape and supporting internal communications work. Support the SPS’s response to Freedom Of Information requests. Contribute to the collective efforts of the Office of the Chief Executive Support, contribute, and occasionally lead on high quality, positive communications, often in reactive and high pressure moments. Person Specification

SPS recruitment and selection practice is based on the fundamentals of our Behavioural Competency Framework. This identifies behaviours and standards required both of applicants seeking to join us, and our staff in their respective roles. Assessment of specific behaviours, of which there are twelve, will be determined by the role you are applying for. Whilst it is unlikely you will be assessed on all of them , you will be assessed on these identified as key to role.

Qualifications Requirements

Likely to be a graduate within a related topic/and or appropriate experience or record of achievement.

Essential

Experience Requirements Media or Media relations experience with evidence of your ability to support and lead on communications and media relations strategies.
Essential Experience of working within a public sector environment.
Desirable Experience of working with internal, customer / stakeholder organisational communications
Essential Knowledge Skills Requirements Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to present views confidently and persuasively, both in writing and face-to-face.
Essential Strong problem-solving skills with proven ability to work independently, or as part of a team, delivering high quality work against tight deadlines.
Essential Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build supportive and collaborative relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, including the ability to positively influence more senior colleagues.
Essential Strong political acuity with an ability to analyse complex information, interrogating the quality of that information and making appropriate use of evidence to inform decision making and handling as appropriate.
Essential Selection method 1 Written Exercise Selection method 2 Interview