Senior Social Evaluation Manager

Job summary

DWP is recruiting a Senior Social Evaluation Manager to sit within DWP’s Social Media Unit. This fast-paced team is responsible for turning complex policy and customer messages into clear and compelling social content that resonates with our audiences. ​

​You will be the lead for all of DWP’s social insight and measurement, designing and delivering the data, dashboards and analytical frameworks that ensure DWP campaigns are evidence-led, optimised in real time, and rigorously evaluated. ​

This is an exciting opportunity to shape how DWP uses data to communicate effectively with its audiences. ​

​You will work closely with colleagues across the Social Media Unit, marketing team and broader communications directorate, as well as across GCS and other government departments to embed a culture of data-driven decision-making.​

​You will be DWP’s subject-matter expert in social performance, marketing analytics and the latest tools and technology to deliver our insight and evaluation ambitions. ​

​This position reports to the Head of Social Media Unit and will join a highly collaborative team of professionals ranging from content managers and copywriters to videographers, graphic and motion designers. ​

​As there will sometimes be a requirement to share your analysis in person, occasional travel will be required to London.​

​This post will be based in Leeds or Sheffield.​

​If this sounds like the right fit for you, we would love to hear from you!​

Job description

As our Senior Social Evaluation Manager, you will:

• Deliver rigorous analysis of social media, paid media, web analytics alongside audience trends, behaviours and segmentation to inform digital strategy and campaign planning. ​
• Lead the design, development and maintenance of social performance dashboards, and provide timely and accurate data analysis of posts to inform DWP’s social strategy and to optimise campaigns.​
• Set KPIs, define metrics and produce post-campaign analysis, ensuring that this is built into the development of future campaign activity. ​
• Use social listening contracts to provide timely summaries to inform narratives and understand public sentiment. ​
• Build and manage analytics to support audience segmentation, campaign tracking and evaluation across paid social. ​
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Social Media Unit and Strategic Communications to translate analytical findings into clear, compelling narratives for senior stakeholders, including Ministers and Special Advisers. ​
• Work closely with agencies and external suppliers to ensure timely delivery of clear, actionable data and insights.​
• Deliver research projects through contracted research agencies to inform strategy and track delivery against objectives. ​
• Ensure all data activity is conducted in line with data protection legislation and GDPR principles, including completion of Data Protection Impact Assessments where required. ​
• Proactively identify new tools, techniques and technologies that could improve the DWP’s insight and evaluation capability. ​

Person specification

Experience Criteria for the Role

• Proven experience in a marketing analytics role, with a solid understanding of digital marketing channels, paid media ecosystems and web analytics platforms (e.g. Google Analytics). ​
• Experience translating complex data into actionable insights that drive campaign planning and execution, collaborating with stakeholders to embed insight into strategies. ​
• Proficiency in data visualisation and analytics tools, with experience building and maintaining performance dashboards for digital campaigns, including setting and tracking KPIs, with the ability to provide clear recommendations for optimisation. ​
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to present complex data in a clear and compelling manner to non-technical senior audiences. ​
• Experience in sharing qualitative and quantitative research findings in clear, concise reports with seniors. ​
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment. ​
• A strong interest in digital trends and emerging audience behaviours, with the ability to adapt in a fast- changing media landscape. ​
• Good understanding of data privacy requirements, including UK GDPR, data protection legislation and ethical considerations for media and marketing data. ​

​ 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:

• Q1. Describe a complex evaluation that you have designed from scratch, including any use of digital analytics, campaign performance metrics or audience insight? (Lead question)
• Q2. Tell us about a time you used evaluation findings to influence senior stakeholders or shape a significant decision. How did you present your evidence and gain buy-in?
• Q3. Give an example of a challenging evaluation you have managed or delivered. What obstacles did you encounter and how did you overcome them to ensure credible results?
• Q4. Describe your experience of commissioning and managing external evaluation suppliers or tools. How did you ensure quality, value for money and outputs that were effectively integrated into decision making?
• Insight
• Ideas
• Implementation
• Impact

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Q1. Describe a complex evaluation that you have designed from scratch, including any use of digital analytics, campaign performance metrics or audience insight? (Lead question)
• Q2. Tell us about a time you used evaluation findings to influence senior stakeholders or shape a significant decision. How did you present your evidence and gain buy-in?
• Q3. Give an example of a challenging evaluation you have managed or delivered. What obstacles did you encounter and how did you overcome them to ensure credible results?
• Q4. Describe your experience of commissioning and managing external evaluation suppliers or tools. How did you ensure quality, value for money and outputs that were effectively integrated into decision making?

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £50,487, Department for Work and Pensions contributes

£14,626 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.

Selection will be by a written sift, followed by a Face-to-Face Interview.​

The Civil Service uses a 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 questions when you apply. Your CV should set out your career history with key responsibilities and achievements. Your CV will not be scored. ​

The four questions (250 words) will be assessed against the experience criteria set out on slide 5.​

​Interview ​

A ‘blended’ interview lasting around 1 hour 30 minutes will test a mix of experience and GCS technical skills as detailed below The interview will be a mix of questions and a scenario-based exercise. The experience questions will be based on the experience criteria listed on slide 5. As part of the interview there will be an exercise, set on the day, to complete in person.

​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.​​

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview. This will be a face-to-face interview in Leeds. The interview panel will be a minimum of two people. ​

​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. ​

Sift and Interview Dates:

Our anticipated timetable - which may be subject to change - is as follows:

• Shortlisting will take place commencing 07th Sep 2026
• Interviews will commence W/C 21st Sep 2026
• Interviews will be held in person in Leeds. 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 7th Sept 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 katie.Woodward@dwp.gov.uk

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to