External Communications Manager (Science and Engineering)

Imperial Enterprise; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

43 days off a year

Generous pension schemes

Flexible working from day 1

On-site leisure facilities

Cycle-to-work scheme

Interest-free season ticket loan

Job summary

Imperial College London is seeking an External Communications Manager to lead strategic external storytelling for its Science and Engineering desk. You will manage a Communications Assistant and collaborate with colleagues to translate complex research into engaging external narratives and media opportunities.

Based at Imperial's White City campus with hybrid working, you will build networks across the university and with journalists, influencers and partners to raise the profile of Imperial’s

Qualifications

• You will be a strong communicator who can combine innovative, strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
• Experience in delivering integrated communications strategies, devising impactful campaigns and evaluating impact.
• Strong media and influencer contacts (preferably in science, technology or business space).
• Diplomatic with a sensitive approach to managing competing expectations – including at a senior level.
• Experienced line manager with coaching and development skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead external communications across Imperial College London's Science and Engineering desk.
• Turn complex research into compelling stories and secure media coverage.
• Develop engaging, social-ready content and digital storytelling at pace.
• Build networks across the university, external stakeholders, journalists and influencers.

Skills

Strong communicator

Integrated comms strategies

Media contacts

Influencer relations

Line management

Job description

External Communications Manager (Science and Engineering)

Are you a dynamic and strategic communicator with excellent news judgement? Can you lead colleagues to create compelling stories from complex topics? Do you have a laser focus on delivering impactful communications to support organisational objectives?

We are looking for a driven External Communications Manager to join our Science and Engineering desk. As Communications Manager you will play a leading role in bringing Imperial’s science and engineering activities to life for external audiences. You will have direct line management of a Communications Assistant, and work collaboratively with Communications colleagues across Imperial to tell inspiring, impactful stories of Imperial’s research, innovation and education.

What you would be doing

Imperial College London’s scientists and engineers are brimming with world‑changing ideas, and each day their research findings and imaginative innovations are transforming society.

Your challenge is to use these amazing breakthroughs to tell Imperial’s bigger story – of being the UK’s most entrepreneurial university, of forging fertile international ties, of radically boosting London’s economic potential through frontier innovation, of being a home to curiosity driven science.

You’ll use tenacity and creativity to get Imperial academics, innovators, initiatives and breakthroughs in the media – turning complicated ideas into compelling stories, crafting strong news hooks, and spotting and jumping on external opportunities.

You’ll create engaging, social‑ready content at pace - bringing fresh ideas and approaches to create engaging digital and social media content.

You’ll take a collaborative approach, developing successful networks across the university, and with external stakeholders, partners, journalists and influencers.

What we are looking for

• You will be a strong communicator who can combine innovative, strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery
• You will have experience in delivering integrated communications strategies, devising impactful campaigns and evaluating impact
• You will have strong media and influencer contacts (preferably in the science, technology or business space)
• You will be diplomatic with a sensitive approach to managing competing expectations – including at a senior level.
• You will be an experienced line manager, with skills in coaching and developing colleagues

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to build your career at a world‑leading institution and be part of our mission to deliver science for humanity
• The chance to work in a dynamic, forward‑looking external communications team
• Benefit from sector‑leading salary and remuneration package (including 43 days off a year and generous pension schemes)
• Get access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day 1, generous family leave packages, on‑site leisure facilities and a cycle‑to‑work scheme
• Interest‑free season ticket loan schemes for travel
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources designed to support your personal and professional wellbeing .

Further information

Interviews will be held on 4 December

You will be based at our White City campus but travel to other campuses on a regular basis is to be expected and is a requirement of the role.

This is a full‑time role (35 hours per week) and is offered on a hybrid basis in line with Imperial’s Work Location Framework .

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

If you have any general queries about this vacancy, please contact the hiring manager listed in the ‘ Further Information’ section. Alternatively, you can contact the Recruitment Hub at [e-mail], and we will be happy to assist you.

If you experience any technical issues that prevent you from submitting an application, please contact our Technical Support team at [e-mail] , who will be able to help resolve the issue.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top‑ten university where scientific imagination leads to world‑changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.

This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial College London.

Our Culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination, and creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our web pages .

Proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from the Armed Forces community.

Our values are at the root of everything we do, and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.