How to apply
Please click on the 'Apply now' button.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
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An evidence-based Personal Statement and CV reflecting the essential and desirable Experience and Qualification requirements as listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. Your Personal Statement should be no longer than 750 words. It should avoid generalised assertions, instead including specific examples of achievements, explaining the degree of challenge, what you did, how you did it and the outcomes.
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Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie-breaker scenario at sift or interview.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the:
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Lead Criterion: Communications Strategy - experience managing external communications/affairs/public affairs planning and influencing activity particularly media, marketing, external affairs, Government Affairs and influencing systems.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift of all the above requirements or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
If a large number of applications meet the minimum standard, an interview wait list may be created for this position. This means that if you have met the minimum requirements at sift, you may be placed on a Hold status for up to 12 months, and if we are able to invite you to an interview, we will be in touch.
Interview Details
If you have successfully passed sift at the application stage, you will be invited to an interview which will take place Face to Face in our Manchester or London Office from the 9 September 2026.
External candidates may be eligible for support with interview travel costs. Please contact the Recruitment Team at [email protected] to discuss eligibility and available arrangements before attending your interview.
It will be an Experience and Strength based interview and will include a Scenario exercise. Details about the Scenario will be sent to candidates who are invited to interview. The Scenario will be used to assess the following essential Experience criteria -
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Communications Strategy - experience managing external communications/affairs/public affairs planning and influencing activity particularly media, marketing, external affairs, Government Affairs and influencing systems.
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Messaging excellent skills writing key messages and developing capability in others. Excellent written and verbal briefing skills with effective personal impact and confidence in verbal and written briefings to senior leaders.
The following essential Experience criteria will be assessed separately at Interview -
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Communications Strategy - experience managing external communications/affairs/public affairs planning and influencing activity particularly media, marketing, external affairs, Government Affairs and influencing systems.
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Governance experience of programme/project management, working with Boards, co-ordinating reporting and decision-making.
A reserve list will be created for this position; this means that if you have passed the interview, but we cannot immediately offer you this position, you will be placed on a reserve list for 12 months and may be considered for similar positions during that time.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader, Acas is committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process. If you have a disability and feel that any part of the recruitment process puts you at a disadvantage, we will work with you to make Reasonable Adjustments that support your needs. If you require any changes to help you apply:
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Please contact the Acas Recruitment Team via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
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Complete the Assistance Required section on the Additional Requirements page of your application form to let us know about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process. For example, this might include accessibility arrangements for entering a building or interview room, communication support, modifications to assessment methods, etc.
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You can find out more about the Disability Confident Scheme and Reasonable Adjustments by clicking these links.
Want to learn more about Civil Service recruitment? You can find out more on Civil Service Careers, including information on Success Profiles, writing a Personal Statement, acceptable use of Artificial Intelligence, and what to expect at Interview.
For applicants requiring a visa to work in the UK
Please be advised that Acas does not hold a UKVI Sponsorship Licence, so we cannot consider sponsoring a visa applicant or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
