Head of Production
London hybrid
HYBRID
The New Media Unit (NMU) is part of the Government Communication Service (GCS) and sits within the Cabinet Office. The NMU was established in November 2024 with the clear goal to reach, connect and rebuild trust with audiences in the most effective way possible.
Our aim is to provide the public with relevant, useful and authentic content when and where they want to receive it and communicate in an entirely new way.
This is a really exciting time to be joining the NMU as we look to expand our activity, test and learn different approaches and deliver communications which make a difference to people's lives. This is a rare chance to be part of something truly groundbreaking, where your ideas will directly influence the future of digital communications at the heart of government.
The Team
Digital Creative and Production - the team covers creative direction and creation across all areas including graphic design, video, photography and in-app content creation. Production covers shoot planning and production, copywriting, publishing and working directly with creators / real life storytellers to produce content that performs natively in your daily social media feeds.
The Role
You will be responsible for our team's end-to-end creative production and line managing two Senior Producers and two Producers across campaign content and organic content. You will be responsible for a tightly packed production schedule, building and developing on creative briefs and commissions, supporting the organic producers with shooting/editing creative products and strategy/planning, and the campaign producers in terms of producing larger shoots - as well as maintaining high creative standards, equipment and software budgets, and undertaking regular evaluation of team workflow and content performance.
You relish getting to the heart of a story and delivering fast-paced social media ideas and solutions for an assortment of diverse creative briefs. Occasionally you may need to travel to different locations and work non-standard office hours.
You will report into the Head of Creative and Production.
Job description
Responsibilities & Duties
Manage the production process across all NMU projects from start to finish.
Manage a team of Producers (organic and campaign): planning, scheduling, coordinating a combination of fast-turnaround short-form video, design and photo products and longer-lead documentary projects to deadline and budget.
Manage the production / content team's workflow in partnership with the Head of Creative (HoC), capacity, equipment budget and storage, and creative software needs.
Lead on production/creative best practice in partnership with the HoC to produce high quality, social-first content for all commissions.
Develop and scope out creative briefs and commissions with the HoC building strong relationships and an energising creative culture.
Make technical recommendations and confidently pitch and present ideas to a variety of stakeholders, incorporating client feedback and pushing back where necessary.
Manage multiple projects at a time while paying strict attention to detail and deadlines.
Support the production of dynamic video/photo/graphics including interviews, pieces to camera, documentary, vox-pops, multi-shoot locations - the full scope of 360 varied digital production.
Provide expert advice and guidance to senior leaders and ministers where required. Build strong partnerships and working relationships with other digital teams across Government and partner organisations.
Play an active, engaged role in the NMU's senior management group - supporting other functions within that team, contributing to cross-team decision making and pastoral care and helping drive standards and collaboration.
Achieve the best return on investment by managing production resources, maximising the use of existing assets and managing relationships with other agencies and private sector providers when required.
Management and procurement of creative and production related support software and filming and photography resources (equipment and storage).
Person specification
Experience / Ability
Extensive industry experience in digital content creative production (organic and campaign), with a thorough understanding of shooting schedules, team management, budgets, and timeframes.
Deep understanding of on-set legal and safety standards and requirements and legal responsibilities related to usage/licence agreements and contributor and location consent.
Excellent knowledge of design, photography and creative trends and how to budget and plan around their execution.
Experience shooting/editing smart phone in-app content
Knowledge of social media software management and publishing
Ability to work to tight deadlines and coordinate teams effectively in partnership with x-dept teams and stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills and confidence in team leadership, presenting and pitching ideas, on-set direction, and responding to feedback.
Experience in project management, able to effectively manage resources under pressure to deliver multiple competing projects on time.
Strong negotiation and persuasion skills, with the confidence to provide best practice advice to senior officials and ministers.
Extensive knowledge of social media content and trends.
Experience leading teams to perform at their best, developing their skills and helping them to grow and innovate with proven ability to build and maintain a positive, motivating and inclusive work culture.
Desirable
It would also be beneficial if you demonstrate any of the following skills or experience:
Ability to shoot (DSLR) / edit video as well as operate lighting and sound.
Video editing skills with experience of using creative software including Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop etc
Additional information:
A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Industry Teams and Innovations
Leading through challenges
Campaign Favourites
Planning and Prioritisation
Presentation