Communications Manager

NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research); Twickenham; Hybrid; GBP 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public health research organization based in Twickenham is seeking a Communications Manager to promote research initiatives. The role involves creating engaging content, managing media relations, and collaborating on communications strategies. Ideal candidates will offer significant experience in a press office within a health context, strong copywriting skills, and the ability to communicate complex information effectively. The position offers a hybrid work model with competitive compensation and benefits.

Benefits

Annual bonus

Contributory Pension Scheme

Life Insurance Cover

Healthcare Membership

Training and Development Opportunities

Season Ticket Loan

Qualifications

• Significant experience in translating complex topics for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to manage media relationships.
• Experience with web and social media content management.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver communications for funding announcements.
• Create engaging content for multiple platforms.
• Support internal teams on effective communication practices.

Skills

Press office experience

Copywriting ability

Social media proficiency

Communication skills

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent experience

Job description

The NIHR is the United Kingdom’s largest funder of health and care research. The NIHR invests more than £1.6 billion a year of research funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The NIHR’s research programmes, people, centres of excellence and systems together represent the most integrated health research system in the world.

Job Purpose

The Communications Manager will be part of a busy team helping to demonstrate the value and impact of the NIHR’s major investments in all areas of health research, medical technologies and research infrastructure for the benefit of patients now and in the future. An organised and proactive individual who will enjoy and thrive on the fast-paced work at the heart of NIHR and the UK’s health research system.

Ideal candidates for this role will be highly organised, excellent all-round communicators, skilled at working with diverse teams to understand and support their communications needs across a wide range of channels, including contributing to a busy media brief. The Communications Manager will report to the Senior Communications Manager and a key responsibility will be to support the promotion of NIHR’s research portfolio, as well as cross-NIHR communications activities.

• Assist the Senior Communications Manager in promoting NIHR’s research, infrastructure, and public involvement opportunities
• Plan and deliver communications for funding announcements, major awards, and complex research outputs, ensuring proper branding and press release management.
• Create engaging written, visual, and multimedia content for NIHR channels targeting researchers, patients, and the public.
• Collaborate with communications teams to support strategy, planning, and media delivery.
• Provide guidance to internal teams on accessible content, branding compliance, and effective communication practices.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential Criteria

• Degree-level education or relevant equivalent experience
• Significant press office experience in a health, medical or scientific context involving pitching and landing media coverage
• Significant experience in translating complex topics for web, social media and news stories
• Proven copywriting ability, with strong grammatical skills
• Knowledge of the media landscape for health, medical and science stories
• Experience of using social media platforms and content management systems to share and tailor news and other content for diverse audiences

Desired Criteria

• Creative and visual flair to plan and produce visual social media and infographic content
• An understanding of the health, public health and/or social care research community and the way research is managed, published and disseminated in the public interest

Compensation, Benefits & Working Arrangements:

Salary: £40,300 pa

Location: Twickenham, London / Hybrid working model

Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent

Working Hours: 7.5 hours per day

Annual Leave: 25 days, plus UK public holidays

Employee Benefits Include:

Annual bonus, subject to company performance

Enhanced Contributory Pension Scheme

Life Insurance Cover

Benenden Healthcare Membership

Training and Development Opportunities

Season Ticket Loan

This is a Twickenham, London, office based, hybrid role, with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices a minimum of one day a week, four days a month, and may increase, subject to team requirements.

Application

If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and believe you possess the relevant skills and background, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV along with a 'Statement of Suitability' that showcases your key skills and experiences in relation to the 'Essential Criteria' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with NIHR.

NB: Closing date for applications is 5pm on the 26th August, with interviews week commencing the 15th September.