Location
City of Westminster

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£83,355 per annum

About the Role
As the Head of Media Analysis & Response Hub (G6), you will lead and build the strategic analytical capability of the government’s Media Analysis & Response team. You will directly manage the Grade 7 Analysis Leads, providing executive oversight, technical direction, and strategic coherence across all analytical operations. This senior leadership role requires deep technical expertise in information environment analysis combined with the strategic gravitas to advise Ministers, senior officials (SCS), and cross-government committees. You will be ultimately accountable for the quality, accuracy, and operational impact of the team’s information environment assessments, ensuring insights inform the communications response framework to foreign interference, coordinated inauthentic behaviour, and disinformation. Due to the nature of the work, you will need to obtain Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.

Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Team Management: Manage and develop G7 Analysis Leads, fostering their professional growth and strategic thinking under high-pressure conditions. Set the strategic roadmap for the unit, evolving analytical methodologies and operational structures as threat vectors change. Manage team resourcing, commercial tool procurement, and technological investment.
2. Technical Direction & Analytical Rigour: Maintain accountability for the rigour, objectivity, and quality of all analysis products, daily summaries, and crisis briefings. Drive integration of advanced analytical techniques including AI, LLMs, synthetic media/deepfake detection, and network analysis tools.
3. Senior Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Advice: Act as the primary technical authority on information environment analysis to No10, Ministers, Civil Service leaders, and cross-government Directors of Communications. Lead inter-departmental information environment analysis community and advise senior leaders on communications interventions.
4. Policy Frameworks & National Capability: Own and update communications national response frameworks and playbooks. Build systemic capability across government communications departments to raise awareness and resilience against disinformation.

Additional Information
Cabinet Office policy requires a minimum of 60% of working time to be spent at the principal workplace. Flexible working options are available, but crisis oversight requires out-of-hours and weekend availability, compensated via TOIL or overtime. Strategic oversight of early-morning shift rotas (06:00 starts) is required. This role is full time only; alternative working patterns may be discussed with the vacancy holder prior to applying.

Benefits
Alongside your salary of £76,454, Cabinet Office contributes £22,148 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Additional benefits include tailored learning and development, a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity, a minimum of 25 days paid annual leave (increasing to 30), and flexible working options.

Experience
- Proven senior strategic leadership managing high-performing analytical or operational teams, preferably including other team leaders, in complex, high-scrutiny environments.
- Exceptional executive communication skills with experience briefing Ministers, Senior Civil Servants, and non-technical leaders under tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee advanced data analytics, visual intelligence dashboards, and integrate AI/LLM toolsets into workflows.
- Experience maintaining operational stability and team wellbeing during high-profile national incidents or fast-moving crises.
- Experience in social research applied to media analysis to assess impact of divisive narratives.
- Experience analysing digital communications across all social media channels.
- Proven experience evaluating communications effectiveness.
- Must hold or be willing to obtain Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.

About You
You are a senior leader with strategic vision and technical expertise who can inspire and develop teams under pressure. You have strong stakeholder management skills and the resilience to lead during crises. You are adaptable to flexible working arrangements and committed to upholding high standards of operational and analytical rigour.

Qualifications
Security clearance at Developed Vetting (DV) level is required. There are no specific academic qualifications mandated, but extensive relevant experience and proven leadership in media analysis and strategic communications are essential.