Head of Civil Service Live - Cabinet Office Comms - GCS

The Role

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the most high-profile and large-scale events programmes in government. As Head of Civil Service Live, within the Cabinet Office Communications team, you will take the lead on planning, managing and delivering the government's flagship annual staff learning event, reaching up to 35,000 civil servants across the UK.

You will operate at the heart of the Civil Service, providing strategic advice to the most senior leaders in government, including the Cabinet Secretary and the Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service. You will act as secretariat and project management lead for the Civil Service Live Programme Board, which is chaired by the COO and includes Directors General from across Whitehall.

This is a high-visibility, high-impact role for an experienced events leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is comfortable influencing and advising at the most senior levels.

The Team

The Cabinet Office Communications team delivers high-impact communications for senior Cabinet Office and Civil Service officials, working with the UK Government's most influential partners. Our remit spans cross-government coordination, civil contingencies, reputation management, constitutional affairs and Civil Service staff engagement.

We are a collaborative, ambitious team committed to raising standards across government communications. You will find a culture that values expertise, supports professional development and encourages creative thinking about how events can deliver real impact for civil servants and the public.

What You Will Do

Strategic leadership

Provide strategic advice to the Cabinet Secretary, COO for the Civil Service, Permanent Secretaries and Directors General on events strategy, content and audience impact.

Lead the governance of the Civil Service Live Programme Board, managing relationships with senior stakeholders across HMG.

Advise colleagues across government on best practice in event design, delivery and evaluation.

Contribute to the broader events and engagement strategy for the Cabinet Office Communications team.

Event delivery

Lead end-to-end delivery of Civil Service Live, including content development, venue sourcing, hybrid event management, delegate communications and on-site execution.

Ensure all events are designed with accessibility and inclusive participation at their core, meeting the needs of a diverse Civil Service workforce.

Manage contractor and supplier relationships, acting as the senior point of contact for event logistics, audio-visual, exhibition build, catering and digital platforms.

Commercial and financial management

Manage the events budget, ensuring clear rationale, value for money and demonstrable impact for every event.

Lead procurement and commercial management of key Civil Service and Cabinet Office event programmes.

Work with a delivery partner to identify and secure sponsorship and value-in-kind opportunities with private sector partners to offset delivery costs.

People and capability

Lead, motivate and develop your team, fostering a culture of high performance, continuous learning and professional development.

Influence and lead project teams across HMG, including in matrix structures where you may not hold direct line management responsibility.

Champion professional standards in event delivery across the wider communications function.

Other responsibilities

Support delivery of additional high-profile Cabinet Office events, including Cabinet Office Awards, staff and leadership conferences, and events for the Cabinet Secretary and COO.

Work with communications colleagues to promote events and drive attendance.

Evaluate events rigorously, measuring delegate impact and demonstrating return on investment.

What We're Looking For

A demonstrable track record of delivering large-scale, high-profile events in a complex environment, with a strong focus on audience impact and outcomes.

Proven ability to advise and influence at senior levels, including Permanent Secretaries and Directors General.

Strong commercial expertise, including budget management, procurement and sponsorship.

Sound media and political awareness, with the judgement to navigate sensitive or fast-moving situations.

Excellent stakeholder management skills and an established network across government.

A creative, solutions-focused approach to event design and format.

Experience evaluating large-scale events and demonstrating measurable return on investment.

A commitment to accessible and inclusive event design.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.