Communications and Engagement Manager

ARIA; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Hybrid working arrangements

Discretionary bonus

Professional development support

Family-friendly policies

Employee assistance programme

Life Assurance

Volunteer days

Pension scheme

Job summary

ARIA in London seeks a Communications and Engagement Manager to shape how ARIA’s programmes are understood and engaged with. You will lead communications across a portfolio, partnering with Programme Directors and the Head of Programme Communications and Engagement.

You will develop narrative-led content, turning research milestones into stories for broad audiences, and ensure outputs reflect the distinctive character of each programme.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in science communications, written for diverse audiences.
• Ability to translate complex science into clear, engaging narratives.
• Strong storytelling across digital channels with sample work.
• Capable of owning projects and managing competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Shape narratives for ARIA opportunities and programmes with Programme Directors.
• Develop narrative-led content across owned and earned channels.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality outputs reflecting programme diversity.
• Build momentum with universities, deep-tech companies and stakeholders.

Skills

Science communications

Scientific fluency

Creative storytelling

Autonomy & accountability

Attention to detail

Agile & collaborative

Job description

Communications and Engagement Manager

Application Deadline: 16 October 2026

Department: Communications and Engagement

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Compensation: £60,000 / year

Description

About ARIA

ARIA is a R&D funding agency created to unlock technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible.

From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on.

Our success is shaped by one question: how will ARIA transform the lives of the UK’s future generations? Whether that’s a life‑changing new technology or a burgeoning new industry, it should be obvious that ARIA played a catalytic role.

Learn more about how we work here.

Role Summary

We are seeking a scientifically fluent, creative Communications and Engagement Manager to help shape how ARIA’s programmes are understood, engaged with, and remembered.

You will lead communications and engagement for a portfolio of ARIA programmes, working in close partnership with Programme Directors, R&D Creators and the Head of Programme Communications and Engagement. Your role will span the full programme lifecycle: helping to build momentum around programme launches and activities; and telling credible, distinctive stories of the research, people, and progress that ARIA enables. This is not a traditional press or corporate communications role. It combines narrative development, science storytelling, and targeted ecosystem engagement.

What you’ll do

The scope of the role will evolve as ARIA continues to grow, but will broadly involve the following:

• Shape the narrative for ARIA’s opportunity spaces and programmes: Partner closely with Programme Directors to distil complex scientific theses into clear, compelling narratives. You aren’t simply translating technical material—you will frame why each opportunity matters, what could become possible and why the right R&D Creators should get involved.
• Drive a step-change in programme storytelling: Develop narrative‑led content across owned and earned channels that brings ARIA‑funded science to life. You will turn research breakthroughs and programme milestones into stories for wider audiences, drawing directly on the experiences and ambitions of our Creator community.
• Strengthen our programme communications practice: You will help ensure that our outputs are consistent, high-quality and flexible enough to reflect the distinctive character of each programme.
• Build momentum across the R&D ecosystem: Act as an ambassador for ARIA, developing targeted engagement strategies that connect our programmes with the right university labs, deep‑tech companies and wider stakeholders. Working closely with Programme Directors, Creators and colleagues across communications, you will use launches, workshops and selected external events to deepen relationships and ensure ARIA is visible where it matters.

Who you are

A successful candidate will bring many of the following skills and experiences:

Essential criteria

• Proven science communications experience: You have experience in science communications, technical writing or a related field, gained in a research institution, startup, scientific publication, specialist agency or comparable environment.
• Scientific fluency: You hold a degree in a scientific field or have equivalent experience working with complex scientific material. You can understand technical nuance and translate it accurately for both specialist and general audiences.
• Creative storytelling: You can identify the compelling narrative within complex research and have a strong track record of producing engaging digital content, including both short and long‑form work.
• Autonomy and accountability: We trust you to take ownership of your work, identify what is needed and move projects forward. You can manage competing priorities and resolve potential bottlenecks before they escal??
• Strong delivery and attention to detail: You have excellent administrative and project‑management skills. You understand that accuracy is particularly important when communicating scientific and technical information.
• Agile and collaborative: You learn quickly, adapt readily to new channels and tools, and enjoy working as part of a team in an environment where the right approach may still be taking shape.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of the UK R&D landscape: You understand the organisations, communities and emerging areas shaping UK research and innovation, and are excited by the opportunity to build new connections across them.
• Experience in an early‑stage organisation: You have worked in a startup, scale‑up or similarly fast‑moving environment where priorities evolve and individuals have considerable responsibility.
• Systems thinking: You look beyond individual outputs to improve the processes, tools and ways of working that support consistently strong communications.

Above all, you are motivated by the potential of science to improve the world and excited by the opportunity to help build ARIA into a distinctive and trusted presence within the scientific community.

Benefits

• 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
• Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home
• Discretionary bonus
• Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave arrangements
• A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
• Life Assurance
• 2 days of paid volunteer days
• 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
• Cycle to Work scheme
• An excellent office location in Kings X, London

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.

ARIA adopts a highly considered approach to ethical and social responsibility. You can read our policy here. Our research and development activity will abide by the 3Rs principle. You can read about those here.