Senior Marketing Campaigns Manager
Description
- Job grade: Senior Executive Officer
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: DWP - Communications
- Type of role: Communications / Marketing
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Number of jobs available: 1
Location
For candidates requesting to work in Sheffield Hartshead Square, these roles will initially be based at Hartshead Square and then move to 1 West Bar by early 2028
About the job
Job summary
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is recruiting for a Senior Marketing Campaigns Manager to be part of our supportive and high-performing marketing team. You will be helping to shape communications across DWP owned channels and across paid communications.
The work of the DWP makes a difference to the lives of millions of people across the country – from supporting low-income households and helping people to start or return to work via our national network of Jobcentres, enacting policy to improve the lives of disabled people and ensuring pension savers are protected from unscrupulous scammers.
To succeed in the role, you will have creative campaigns experience, the ability to think strategically, excellent interpersonal skills, and an aptitude for digesting complex information and explaining it in plain English.
We are a close-knit marketing team that collaborates with the press, external affairs, visits and internal comms teams, as well as private offices, policy and frontline colleagues.
This post will be based in Sheffield or Leeds.
If this sounds like the right fit for you, we would love to hear from you!
Job description
As a Senior Marketing Campaigns Manager, you will:
- Manage the development of innovative, impactful paid and low/no cost communications strategies, based on data, evidence and audience insight. Use strategic thinking to translate business objectives into actionable marketing plans, driving clarity from ambiguity.
- Develop a strong understanding of our audiences and how to deliver behaviour change. Be an audience champion, act as the voice of the customer, and serve as a subject matter expert, building strong relationships with internal stakeholders.
- Develop and deliver end-to-end multi-channel paid media campaigns, with sizeable budgets, as well as low/no cost marketing activity.
- Manage and build positive relationships with external agencies. This includes overseeing media planning and buying and ensuring that our work is cost effective, high quality and represents good value for the taxpayer.
- Manage the development of messaging and creative content across campaigns, delivering through both in-house and agency creative teams for a full range of channels.
- Prioritise campaign evaluation, including consistent optimisation and improvements to delivery.
- Proactively seek opportunities for innovation, continuous challenge and improvement, and make recommendations to senior leaders.
- Deliver effective team leadership, line management and coaching; helping shape culture by championing our team vision, driving positive ways of working and inclusivity, whilst pushing forward continuous development of colleagues.
Person specification
Essential Criteria for the Role
Candidates for this role must be able to demonstrate that they can meet the following essential criteria:
- A proven track record of developing and delivering end-to-end impactful marketing strategies for complex briefs, based on evidence and audience insight.
- Experience of media planning and buying, with a focus on value for money, quality and innovation to engage complex and hard-to-reach audiences.
- Experience of developing impactful campaign creative with either in-house or agency teams that will resonate with and deliver strong engagement with target audiences.
- Strong experience in monitoring and evaluating campaign activity and developing recommendations to drive outcomes and maximise effectiveness.
- An inspiring and motivating leader, who can influence senior leaders, manage a successful team, develop direct reports and role model collaboration across teams.
- Experience of project management and techniques to deliver outcomes, including identifying risks and mitigations.
We will ensure that you are fully supported and can develop your career as a skilled communications professional. DWP is committed to creating an organisation and workforce which is as diverse as the customers we serve. As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of gender, race, disability, age or sexual orientation.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Describe a complex marketing campaign you have developed and delivered end-to-end. What was your approach and what did you achieve? (Lead question)
- Tell us about a time you managed an external agency relationship to deliver a complex marketing campaign.
- Describe your experience of planning and delivering paid media campaigns with significant budgets. How did you ensure effectiveness and value for money?
- Give an example of a campaign where you used evaluation or performance data to improve delivery. What was the outcome?
- Insight
- Ideas
- Implementation
- Impact
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- Describe a complex marketing campaign you have developed and delivered end-to-end. What was your approach and what did you achieve? (Lead question)
- Tell us about a time you managed an external agency relationship to deliver a complex marketing campaign.
- Describe your experience of planning and delivering paid media campaigns with significant budgets. How did you ensure effectiveness and value for money?
- Give an example of a campaign where you used evaluation or performance data to improve delivery. What was the outcome?
Benefits
DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
- Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
- Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
- Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
Selection will be by a written sift, followed by a Face-to-Face Interview.
The Civil Service uses Success Profiles to assess candidates’, knowledge and skills. You will be assessed against experience and Government Communications Service (GCS) technical skills.
We’ll assess both what candidates are good at, as well as previous achievements to help us measure candidates’ experience and their potential. The assessment process comprises of a written application and for shortlisted candidates, a short scenario-based exercise and interview.
Written application
You’ll need to complete a CV and answer four technical questions when you apply. Your CV should set out your career history with key responsibilities and achievements. The four technical questions (250 words each) will assess your expertise. The answers to your four technical questions will be assessed against the essential criteria set out on slide 4 and the Government Communications Service Competency Framework linked on slide 7.
Interview
A ‘blended’ interview lasting around 45 minutes to 1 hour will test a mix of experience and technical skills. The interview will be a mix of questions and a scenario-based exercise.
It may help to use the WHO or STAR model to explain:
- What the task/ work was, How you approached the task/work/situation and what the Outcomes were, what did you achieve?
- Or What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview. This will be a face-to-face interview. The interview panel will be a minimum of two people.
We’ll assess candidates against the following Success Profiles: Experience - GOV.UK. Experience is the knowledge or mastery of an activity or subject by involvement or exposure to it.
For this professional communications role, you’ll also be tested against the following Government Communications Service (GCS) technical skills at Higher Executive Officer (SEO) grade:
- Insight
- Ideas
- Implementation
- Impact
Please note – If there are a high number of applications received, an initial sift may be undertaken based on the lead question. Candidates who pass the initial sift may progress to a full sift or may go straight to interview.
Selection and Feedback
We will notify all candidates as soon as possible. Feedback will only be provided following an interview. A reserve list will be held for up to 6 months, which we may also use to fill future similar vacancies. Candidates should not resign from their current job until all appropriate checks have been successfully completed. If you’re an existing civil servant and want to know more about transferring to another department, refer to your current department’s guidance on transfers within the civil service.
If you have questions about the role, DWP or the application process, please contact Julia.johnson@dwp.gov.uk
Sift and Interview Dates:
Our anticipated timetable - which may be subject to change - is as follows:
- Shortlisting will take place commencing 16/11/2026
- Interviews will commence 07/12/2026
- Interviews will be held in person. Further details will be provided if you are successful and shortlisted.
- To apply for this post please follow the instructions in this candidate pack or the job advert on Civil Service Jobs.
- Please submit your application no later than 23:55 November 16th 2026
If you’re an existing Civil Servant and want to know more about transferring to another Department, refer to your current department’s guidance on transfers within the Civil Service.
Candidates should not resign from their current job until all appropriate checks have been successfully completed.
If you have questions about the role, DWP or the application process, please contact.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Further Information
At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:
- If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
- If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.
Disability Confident Scheme
If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.
Reasonable Adjustments
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Integrity, plagiarism and Civil Service Principles
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.
Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.
Examples of plagiarism can include:
- Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own
- Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own
Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks
To process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out.
Important
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.
Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWP’s Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.
Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions.
Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.
Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at the Childcare Choices Website.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Julia Johnson
- Email : Julia.johnson@dwp.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service mmission.
Attachments
| DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 17kB) |
| Government-Communications-Professional-Competency-Framework (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 5307kB) |
| Vac Senior Marketing Campaigns Manager Opens in new window (pdf, 965kB) |
| Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview Opens in new window (pdf, 635kB) |
Share this page
- Gmail