Job Description
News teams are on the frontline of the Scottish Government's external communications. Aligned to Cabinet portfolios, they work with Ministers, special advisers, policy officials and colleagues across other communications disciplines.
News teams promote and explain policies and ministerial decisions to the public via news media and social media channels and by working with external partners.
Successful candidates are likely to come from a PR or journalism background and will have a strong interest in, and knowledge of, politics and current affairs. Organised and able to work in a fast-paced and often pressurised environment, they will have strong news judgement and be creative in using different methods to reach diverse audiences.
You will have experience of working strategically at a senior level, leading and managing people to balance workloads and deliver priority work effectively, on time and to a high standard.
This is a permanent posting as a News Team Leader in the Communications Division, based in Edinburgh but working flexibly.
Responsibilities
- Leading and managing a team – supporting all team members to thrive by setting clear direction, ensuring meaningful, challenging and rewarding work, and promoting continuous improvement.
- Strategic planning – working with Ministers, policy colleagues and special advisers to maintain a sharp focus on Programme for Government priorities, providing strategic advice, identifying risks and opportunities and overseeing cross-portfolio communications planning.
- Media and news management – work with journalists and key influencers, with the ability to spot potential problems or opportunities and react quickly, ensuring Ministers and officials receive timely and professional advice.
- Social media management – ensure the team is working to a dynamic and creative social media content strategy that takes account of the opportunities and risks of running social media channels.
- Campaigns – working with marketing and insight colleagues to play an active and supportive role in promoting Scottish Government campaigns.
- Out-of-hours cover – participate in our News team leader duty rota system providing senior support and advice to duty press officers at weekends and public holidays.
Success profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.
Technical / Professional Skills:
- Insight - Level 4
- Ideas - Level 4
- Implementation - Level 4
- Impact - Level 4
Experience
- Experience of working in a senior news/external communications role, including leading and managing comms staff and influencing senior staff and/or Ministers.
- Strong understanding of the ever-changing way in which news is created and consumed, including news consumption habits, social media platforms and industry trends, and experience of applying this knowledge in government.
- Strong political acuity and experience of evaluating communications risks, opportunities, threats and strengths, and acting appropriately.
- The ability to prioritise and maintain personal and team resilience through periods of sustained pressure caused by workloads, external events or emergencies.
Behaviours:
- Seeing the Big Picture - Level 4
- Delivering at Pace - Level 4
- Making Effective Decisions - Level 4
- Working Together - Level 4
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) providing evidence of how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Both the CV and the supporting statement provided will be assessed against the criteria for the role.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our
candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered
Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and job simulation.
About us
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the
UK Civil Service, observing the
Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about
what we offer Working pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.
Pay supplement
This is a specialist post and carries the Communications Pay Supplement of £3,000 per annum pro rata, rising to £5,000 on completion of 12 months’ successful service.
Equality statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our
Careers Website Read our
Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Apply before 23:59 on 7th September 2026. This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only. External candidates and staff from UK Other Government Departments are not eligible to apply for this vacancy.
