Interim Strategic Head of Programme Communications

ARIA; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 86,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Hybrid working

Learning & development opportunities

Enhanced family leave

Employee assistance programme

Life assurance

Volunteer days

Smart pension contribution

Cycle to Work

Office in Kings Cross

Job summary

ARIA is seeking an Interim Head of Programme Communication and Engagement to lead the overarching strategy, narrative, and operating model for ARIA's programme portfolio. The role shapes how opportunities are communicated and aligned with ARIA’s mission and institutional goals.

You will supervise a team, set standards, and embedding best practices across channels, ensuring high editorial quality and proactive storytelling in a dynamic, hybrid work environment from London HQ.

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership in programme communications.
• Experience leading comms teams including contractors.
• Senior advisory experience on risk and positioning.
• Ability to work with high autonomy in dynamic settings.
• Strong editorial standards across channels.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Direction & Narrative Architecture: co-develop and evolve ARIA’s programme communications strategy.
• Leadership of the Programme Comms Function: lead a team of four including Programme Communications Managers.
• Editorial & Channel Strategy: shape programme stories across owned and earned channels.
• Reputational Counsel: provide senior communications judgement on sensitivities and risks.
• Programme–Comms Integration: improve collaboration between Communications and Programme teams.
• Institutional Contribution: feed programme insight into ARIA’s broader comms and policy positioning.
• Anchor Programme Leadership & AI in Science: lead the AI in Science communications strategy.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

People Leadership

Reputational Counsel

High Autonomy

Editorial Excellence

Job description

ARIA is seeking an Interim Head of Programme Communication and Engagement to lead the overarching strategy, narrative, and operating model for ARIA's programme portfolio. The role shapes how opportunities are communicated and aligned with ARIA’s mission and institutional goals.

You will supervise a team, set standards, and embedding best practices across channels, ensuring high editorial quality and proactive storytelling in a dynamic, hybrid work environment from London HQ.