Success·careerEuropeThe UK government will pay you $120K to convince the public that it’s successfully tackling illegal immigration—but the new hire will have their work cut out for themBy Orianna Rosa RoyleBy Orianna Rosa RoyleAssociate Editor, SuccessOrianna Rosa RoyleAssociate Editor, SuccessOrianna Rosa Royle is the Success associate editor at Fortune, overseeing careers, leadership, and company culture coverage.
She was previously the senior reporter at Management Today, Britain's longest-running publication for CEOs.
SEE FULL BIO The UK Government has posted a six-figure job ad for a communications lead whose mission is to make the public believe Labour is tackling immigration.
Ayhan Mehmet/Anadolu via Getty ImagesThe UK Government has quietly posted a six-figure job ad not for a policy expert or border agent, but for a communications lead whose main mission is to make the public believe Labour is tackling immigration.
Think: Less Border Force, more brand management.
As per the job advert, which was posted two weeks ago on LinkedIn, the Deputy Director Migration Communications role is key to “keeping the streets safe and borders secure.” For up to $120,000 (£91,000) the candidate will be expected to help “the department to spot and mitigate risks and der attitude and behaviour change that ultimately supports the security and economic sperity of the UK.” The successful candidate will also see a generous employer contribution to their pension of 28.97%.
But they’ll need to come equipt with an ability to navigate crises, influence Ministers, and drive behaviour change across a highly complex, controversial, and high-stakes area of public service.
A big—and controversial—job awaits the government’s new hire From brands to billionaires, storytellers are still in demand—despite what the headlines say AI taking over all marketing and copywriting jobs.
And one of the key messages, whoever lands the migration communications role will have to drive , is that the government is reducing the number of illegal immigrants, including those crossing the Channel in small boats.
They’ll have their work cut out for them.
The Telegraph reports that more than 1,000 migrants arrived on 15 small boats within a single day last week, pushing this year’s total to 35,476—up 33% from the same period in 2024.
That pace mirrors the record- levels of 2022, when roughly 45,000 people crossed the Channel under the Conservative government.
A Office source stressed to The Telegraph that the position was not newly created, and posted due to a staff change—rather than a change in apach.
However, in the report, the Conservatives have questioned whether the position will actually make a difference, while suggesting that the new hire is a PR stunt.
“Instead of stopping illegal immigration they are hiring people to try cover it up,” Shadow Secretary Chris Philp said. The successful candidate will also have to face the public court of apval.
Some social media users were quick to slam the job listing as a waste of taxpayer money and government “paganda.” “In other words to create misinformation as ‘truth’ and calm you down,” one person wrote on X.
“Instead of fixing an issue they’d rather spend £90k to gaslight you into believing they’ve fixed it,” another added. Did your workplace make our list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For?
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