Change Communications and Engagement Manager

On behalf of DBT, we are looking for a Change Communications and Engagement Manager - Inside IR35 for a 12 month contract working on a Hybrid basis (2 days per week in any DBT hub and remaining WFH)

Role purpose:

We have an immediate need for a Change Communications and Engagement Manager to work on the BIST Machinery of Government (MoG) change and/or to support or supplement teams where existing specialists need to be diverted on to MoG work.

The required specialist experience is not currently available within existing Department for Business and Trade capacity. Existing civil servants in this profession are fully allocated to priority delivery commitments.

The BIST MoG is due to start its discovery phase on 1 October 2026, this is a time-critical activity to establish the evidence needed to support future decisions about service transitions, operating models, people impacts, technology migration and delivery planning.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Change Communications and Engagement Manager would be:

- Mapping of activities to provide communications (development of timelines, facts on what will happen during MoG, how different user groups with be impacted, FAQs etc .)
- Development of relevant change documents to assist the wider programme e.g. change impact assessment
- Development and implementation of key lines to take to be used for central messaging
- Identification and engagement with key stakeholder groups + development of messaging and collateral to support co-operation with process
- Organisation of cohorts + comms & engagement tactics to ensure colleagues know what is happening to them and when
- Direct email comms to users to ensure engagement with rollout sessions (only applicable during laptop rollout / over the air updates?)
- Drop-in sessions to address ongoing concerns around MoG
- Strong engagement with the programme team to ensure the right messaging is used and all points of contact for users remain aligned throughout
- Strong engagement with adaptive tech colleagues to ensure these users receive extra support and reassurance throughout
- Engagement with relevant sponsors and change champions within each cohort
- Act as a key contact for users to help resolve queries and ensure effective escalation to the right team
- Identify blockers or feedback loops to help with continual improvement on the programme

Essential:

- Proven experience leading change communications and engagement activities within large-scale transformation programmes, including organisational change, business change, or Machinery of Government (MoG) transitions.
- Demonstrable ability to develop and deliver comprehensive communication strategies and plans, including key messages, stakeholder communications, FAQs, engagement materials, and implementation timelines.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience engaging senior leaders , programme teams, sponsors, change champions , and diverse user groups to drive understanding and adoption of change.
- Experience conducting change impact assessments and producing change management documentation, identifying employee impacts, risks, dependencies, and mitigation actions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex programme information into clear, consistent, audience-appropriate messaging.
- Experience designing and delivering engagement activities, such as workshops, drop-in sessions, roadshows, briefing sessions, and targeted communications campaigns to support behavioural and organisational change.
- Ability to identify and respond to stakeholder concerns, feedback, and risks, ensuring issues are escalated appropriately and communications are continuously improved to support successful programme delivery.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, DBT encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, DBT welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".