Assistant Press Secretary

If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for someone to join our Communications team as Assistant Press Secretary.

You will support the Press Secretary to deliver media advice and briefings for the Secretary of State. You will also support the Parliamentary Briefing Team and other communications teams in an environment which is subject to significant public, political and media scrutiny.

This is a fast-paced and challenging role involves close engagement with the Secretary of State, and special advisers, as well as a range of different teams and external stakeholders.

You must have very strong written and spoken communication skills, a good news sense and the ability to quickly spot comms opportunities and risks. You will need to be flexible, able to work at pace and adapt your writing style to different voices.

A background in the health and social care sector is not an essential requirement for this role, but experience of working within or with the media would be highly beneficial.

Candidates who pass the sift will be invited to take a test to assess a technical skill relative to the role, details of this will be provided with the outcome of the sift.

Due diligence checks, including social media, will also be undertaken for the successful candidate prior to appointment.

The role of Assistant Press Secretary sits in the Communications Directorate but works closely with the Private Office, Intelligence and Parliamentary (PIP) team in DHSC, which comprises five private offices and will be physically based out of Private Office.

The role is varied, challenging and stimulating, working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment in the Secretary of State’s office.

Key responsibilities include:

Assisting the Press Secretary to prepare quotes, op-eds and identify print, digital and broadcast opportunities for the Secretary of State as he communicates his priorities and agenda to a wide range of audiences through a wide range of channels.

You will establish strong relationships with journalists, briefing them on major health and social care policies to shape the news agenda.

You will also support the creation of clear and concise ministerial briefing packs, which give Ministers the facts, stats and plain English lines they need to take on criticism while under media scrutiny.

You will also work with and alongside the Communications division to deliver the aims of the department.