Communication Coordinator

Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK think tank is seeking a Communications Coordinator to manage and enhance communication strategies for various research outputs. This role involves coordinating between research teams, developing communications plans, and supporting marketing initiatives. Ideal candidates will have CRM experience, project management skills, and a creative approach to communication. This is a full-time fixed-term contract offering a salary up to £34,000 with numerous benefits including 25 days leave.

Benefits

Generous pension contributions

25 days annual leave

Employee assistance programme

Enhanced sick pay

Qualifications

• Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Experience in a communications capacity within similar organizations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate communications between research and communications teams.
• Develop and manage communications plans for new research.
• Support the Marketing Manager with promotional activities.

Skills

CRM systems experience

Social media management

Project management

Relationship building

Creative communication

Tools

Mailchimp

Sprout

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

This is a key role within the Communications team at RUSI, focused on collaborating with colleagues within the team and across the Institute to ensure all research outputs are effectively promoted across various channels. You will be the main communications point of contact for our seven research groups, requiring you to develop a deep understanding of our research portfolio and devise and manage plans to significantly increase the impact of RUSI’s research.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of coordination for the Communications team, streamlining communications and lines of effort between research and communications teams.
• Lead the management of the Communications team’s forward planner, coordinating with supporting functions to proactively capture upcoming content and ensure information is shared effectively.
• Develop and execute communications plans for new research reports and activities, overseeing the entire project lifecycle.
• Manage publication plans by collaborating with the Head of Research Governance and Editorial Publications, proactively scheduling meetings with researchers at key points in the publication timeline.
• Oversee logistical and administrative needs for research communication plans, including calendar management for key personnel, preparing post‑meeting materials, and overseeing project correspondence to ensure seamless communication.
• Coordinate with the publications team to set strategic release dates for publications, aligning with the institute’s overall calendar and major events.
• Manage the publication of web content for various RUSI outputs, primarily podcasts, overseeing updates and maintenance to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and optimal performance.
• Support the Marketing Manager in the promotion of events across multiple channels, including drafting and scheduling email campaigns, reminders, and follow‑ups, as well as contributing to wider promotional activity.
• Assist the Marketing Manager in coordinating with other teams to prepare newsletters and manage distribution to the appropriate mailing lists.

Core Qualifications

• Able to work independently and as part of a team, quickly forming effective relationships with colleagues and other teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, track deadlines and coordinate activity across different teams.
• Ability to take complex topics and package them creatively for different audiences, making them accessible to both experts and non‑experts.
• Experience with CRM systems, familiarity with customer relationship management tools for managing contact databases and segmenting email audiences.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Direct experience working within a think tank, academic institution, or policy‑focused NGO, ideally in a communications capacity.
• Email marketing experience: practical knowledge of using email service providers (ESPs, e.g. Mailchimp) for drafting, scheduling, and deploying email newsletters.
• Social media management and analytic tool experience, preferably Sprout.
• Basic design skills: competence with design tools (e.g. Canva or Adobe Creative Suite) for creating visual assets like social media graphics, simple charts, or report covers.

Role Details

• Full‑time contract (fixed term, maternity cover for up to one year).
• Actively interviewing.
• Up to £34,000 based on skills and experience.
• 25 days annual leave (rising with service).
• Generous pension contributions at 6% employer contribution.
• Access to a 24/7 employee assistance programme.
• Access to RUSI’s world‑leading programme of events and conferences, research materials and library.
• Discretionary closure days over Christmas.
• Trained mental health first aiders.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• Depending on length of service.

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is the world’s oldest, and the UK’s leading, independent think tank engaged in cutting‑edge research in defence and security. Its mission is to inform, influence and enhance public debate on a safer and more stable world. RUSI is a research‑led institute, producing independent, practical and innovative analysis to address today’s complex challenges.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in our workforce and make it as diverse as the communities we serve. Our recruitment data helps us monitor the effectiveness of our recruitment practices in order that we can continue to improve on creating a more diverse workforce.