NCSC Senior Communications Officer

Job description

Cheltenham, London, Manchester

GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting‑edge technology, ingenuity, and partnerships to identify, analyse, and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber‑attacks, and espionage.

At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, is the UK Government’s lead authority on cyber security. The organisation is at the heart of the Government’s cyber security strategy aims to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the NCSC’s external communications team as a Senior Communications Officer. We’re looking for a motivated and experienced communications professional to join our creative, collaborative, and supportive team.

At the heart of a dynamic, fast‑paced team, you’ll work across both the press office and social media functions to deliver proactive announcements, as well as manage emerging stories and media enquiries.

This is a unique opportunity to inform the media and the public about the NCSC’s priorities, encourage people to follow our practical cyber security advice, and help shape the public conversation on cyber‑related issues.

We will ask you to lead the planning and delivery of communications strategies relating to some of our biggest challenges, such as protecting the UK’s critical national infrastructure and countering the cyber threats posed by other states.

Working closely with counterparts across the organisation and Whitehall, you’ll help maximise effectiveness and manage risks. This will include crafting punchy press releases and reactive statements, as well as confidently briefing journalists on breaking news stories, including high‑profile cyber incidents.

We’re looking for someone whose communications skills, both written and verbal, are exemplary.

Some travel to our other UK sites, as well as occasional international travel, will be required. You’ll also be part of our press duty rota, which operates outside of core business hours, and attracts additional allowances.

We’re looking for someone who can bring fresh, creative ideas to audience engagement, while providing strategic direction for our social media channels. This position offers you the opportunity to bring fresh ideas to life and develop content that truly captures and connects with our audience.

Excellent persuasive and communication skills are essential, as the role involves frequent engagement with communications counterparts, internal stakeholders, and the media, helping to communicate the department’s objectives clearly and effectively.

You’ll thrive as part of a collaborative, high‑performing team that prides itself on delivering exceptional results. Our culture is important to us, and you’ll enjoy a positive and supportive working environment where morale is prioritised and there is regular engagement with senior leadership.

Prior experience in government communications, journalism or public relations is essential, along with excellent written skills and the ability to present technical information in a clear, compelling and accessible way.

Highly organised, you can manage multiple projects to tight deadlines without compromising attention to detail. You stay calm under pressure, maintaining high standards in a fast‑paced environment.

You’ll have a keen interest in the news, with the ability to spot relevant stories, emerging issues, and trends, supported by sound judgement and political awareness when identifying communications opportunities and risks.

As part of the selection process, the NCSC will assess you using competencies aligned with those used across the UK Intelligence Community. These are closely based on the Civil Service Behaviours, so if you’re familiar with those, you’re already on the right track.

At Level 3, we’ll be looking at how you demonstrate the following:

• Seeing the Big Picture (Civil Service Behaviour…