External Communications Manager - Legal Aid Agency (Ref: 90320)

Job Title & Grade: External Communications Manager HEOContract Type: PermanentSalary range (depending on location): National - 32,827 to 35,678 London - 37,174 to 40,403Please note that unless you are currently employed by the Civil Service and are earning more than the minimum above, if successful you will be offered the minimum for the grade depending on your location.Location: National LAA OfficesDirectorate: Corporate Services Team: External CommunicationsWorking Pattern:The post is supported by the MOJ flexible working policy and includes colleagues who work flexibly, remotely (as part of hybrid working) or as part of a job share etc.To meet legal requirements, if you are between the ages 16-18 and you are a successful candidate, you will be required to complete an apprenticeship after your initial on the job training.Reporting to: Senior Communications Manager Closing date for applications: 22nd September 2024The Legal Aid AgencyWe are an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). We are responsible for operationally administering the legal aid fund to provide criminal and civil legal aid advice to people in England and Wales. Our people are at the heart of achieving excellence. Employing around 1,200 colleagues across England and Wales, we feel proud to have some of the best People Survey results in the Civil Service.Our LAA commitment to Diversity and InclusionThe 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 Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. Under the Equality Act 2010 a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.If you are responding to a role within the Legal Aid Agency and would like to be considered under the guaranteed interview, please indicate this in your application and let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the sift or later selection processes.The LAAs goal is to build an organisation that is open and inclusive and truly values and celebrates the diversity of its workforce. One that reflects and understands the needs of the diverse society we serve. This is regardless of social background, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, beliefs, disabilities or long-term illness or caring responsibilities.Reasonable AdjustmentsWe are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long-term condition (for example dyslexia, anxiety, autism, a mobility condition or hearing loss) and need us to make any reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process, please let us know by adding the information to the applications system or emailing [email protected] after you have applied so that we can discuss options with you.Corporate ServicesThe Corporate Centre helps shape and enable the priorities of the Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team, and People Committee to be delivered.External CommunicationsThe External Communications team operates within a complex and vocal stakeholder landscape including Members of Parliament, legal service providers, the press and public, other government departments and legal lobby groups. Our largest stakeholder groups are the legal representative bodies and firms who make up a legal aid market of approximately 20,000 lawyers and paralegals across England and Wales, ranging from single person high street firms to FT500 legal practices and top criminal barristers. The External Communications team provides the agency with leadership and support across a wide range of work. This includes everything from high profile press queries and major change programmes to operational customer service and stakeholder liaison. Part of Corporate Services the team operates at the heart of the organisation and is responsible for managing our external channels and advising agency staff on all external communications handling. The team also work in partnership with the MoJ and wider MoJ agencies and bodies on communications about the development and delivery of legal aid. The External Communications team of the LAA reports into the award-winning Strategic Communications & Campaigns team that sits within the Ministrys Policy, Communications and Analysis Directorate. The MoJ Strategic Communications team pride themselves on having a great team culture and a focus on innovation and making a difference in peoples lives. Being part of this communications community enables this role to benefit from wider strategic oversight and utilise the expertise in Strategic Communications, External Affairs and Campaigns, offering support when required.Job SummaryAs a Communications Manager, you will be involved in the creation and delivery of operational campaigns and events across our portfolio of channels. You will be key to the delivery of the agency's external communication strategy as we build stakeholder engagement across our channels to support our strategic objectives.The postholder will work with internal stakeholders to plan, schedule, and publish digital campaigns in line with the LAAs external communications strategy. You will work closely with MoJ Press Office rapidly responding to press queries, engaging internal experts, and briefing senior leaders.You will also have a hands-on attitude to producing and delivering digital first campaigns and help us to deliver communications plans. We do this by working with internal stakeholders to support their announcements, so a flair for networking and influencing is highly desirable. The postholder will also play a full part in the Corporate Services team, contributing to meetings, events, and initiatives. Key Responsibilities:Understand LAA operational priorities and processes so you can communicate our messages clearly, accurately, and creatively to stakeholders.Being alive to the news agenda which may affect our message and campaign delivery schedule liaising with internal teams to provide communication and handling advice to senior leaders on highly sensitive and complex issues.Act as media liaison contact when MOJ Press Office receives any Legal Aid related enquiriesCreate proactive announcements using a digital-first methodology to reach stakeholders and audiences, using the most appropriate channels copywriting, designing and publishing information and publications. This includes creating, curating, and maintaining compelling online and digital content for our UK and social media communication channels.Advise and support GOV.UK publishers across the LAA to meet the demands of our devolved publishing arrangements. This means building relations with individual publishers in a range of operational teams. Examples include civil and crime casework, procurement, exceptional and complex funding, and contract management.Compile a daily media summary and a weekly report anticipating potential media interest to key LAA stakeholders including non-exec directors, policy, and operational leads.Champion a robust evaluation culture across the team and wider agency. Gathering data and insight to inform our campaign activities to better target and engage our key audiences.Provide weekly updates and contribute to monthly reports to demonstrate impact to senior leaders, measuring the performance of campaigns, identifying improvements, and highlighting successes.Help organise and deliver high-profile events and other activities using a mix of live and virtual channels that engage audiences both externally and internally. Work to the highest professional standards, both on time and within budget.Demonstrate the ability to create and maintain positive, professional, and trusting relationships across the agency, MoJ, other government departments and with our wider stakeholders. A flair for networking and influencing is highly desirable.Liaise with customer service teams to support them in delivering customer-focused communications and feedback on social platforms. Take a hands-on approach using insight and best practice guidance when advising internal clientsEnsure a continuous improvement approach in your own and the teams work and consider how your contribution and impact can improve the teams overall performance.Essential Knowledge, Experience and skills· Good project management skills with excellent planning, prioritisation, and organisational abilities.· A demonstrable understanding of channel management and how different content works on different channels and audiences.· Demonstrate a track-record of delivering compelling communications across a range of no and low-cost channels with a strong audience focus and demonstrable experience working in a highly reactive and responsive environment. · Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines and carry others with you under such circumstances. · Be a skilled influencer who can make the case for creative ideas, convincing clients of the most effective way forward and inspiring the team to deliver them. · Have a flair for networking and influencing with the ability, to create and maintain positive, professional, and trusting relationships across the LAA, Ministry of Justice and our wider stakeholders.· Able to work in a busy team in a fast-paced environment with the confidence and skills to operate on your own, influencing, and upskilling colleagues.Desirable Knowledge, Experience and skills· Experience of creating engaging digital content using a range of digital tools, including video. · Practical ...