Senior Communications Manager - Hybrid - Cambridge

Kin Collective Recruitment Ltd; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The role is a Senior Communications Manager within a large education and research organisation, Cambridge. You will lead communications, events and outreach, shaping strategy and a small team to engage colleagues, partners, supporters and the public.

You will ensure complex scientific topics are presented accessibly to non-specialist audiences, advise on budgets, and use data to demonstrate impact, working across internal teams and external partners. Hybrid working is available after probation.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and delivering multi-channel communications and engagement strategies.
• Proven ability to communicate scientific or technical subjects to non-specialist audiences.
• Proven line management experience with coaching and development.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering an integrated communications and engagement strategy across digital, print, social media, web and internal channels.
• Leading a small team of managers and coordinators, supporting their development and overseeing the quality of the function’s output.
• Shaping the organisation’s approach to public engagement, stakeholder events and outreach programmes.
• Creating communications that make complex scientific and technical topics accessible to varied audiences.
• Advising senior colleagues, managing budgets and using data to measure engagement, reach and impact.
• You'll work across multiple internal teams and with external partners, bringing people together around shared campaigns and ensuring communications remain consistent, engaging and purposeful.

Skills

Multi-channel comms

Scientific/technical comms

Line management

Stakeholder engagement

Editorial & writing

Education

Degree in communications or science

Job description

The Role

We're working with a large, well-established organisation in the education and research sector to recruit a Senior Communications Manager who will lead its communications, events and outreach function.

This is a broad and influential leadership role within a large, complex organisation. You'll join the senior leadership team, shape the overall communications strategy and lead a small team responsible for engaging colleagues, partners, supporters and the wider public.

Please note: Candidates must have proven experience communicating scientific or technical subjects to non-specialist audiences.

The Role

You'll take ownership of an established communications, events and outreach function, setting clear priorities and creating a supportive environment in which the team can do their best work.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and delivering an integrated communications and engagement strategy across digital, print, social media, web and internal channels.

• Leading a small team of managers and coordinators, supporting their development and overseeing the quality of the function’s output.

• Shaping the organisation’s approach to public engagement, stakeholder events and outreach programmes.

• Creating communications that make complex scientific and technical topics accessible to varied audiences.

• Advising senior colleagues, managing budgets and using data to measure engagement, reach and impact.

• You'll work across multiple internal teams and with external partners, bringing people together around shared campaigns and ensuring communications remain consistent, engaging and purposeful.

About You

We're looking for an experienced communications leader who can combine strategic thinking, strong editorial judgement and confident people management.

You'll need:

• Experience developing and delivering multi-channel communications and engagement strategies.

• A strong track record of communicating scientific or technical subjects to non-specialist audiences.

• Proven line management experience, including motivating, coaching and developing a team.

• Experience working within a complex stakeholder environment and across organisational boundaries.

• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, supported by a good understanding of digital channels, social media and analytics.

A relevant degree, professional qualification or equivalent experience is required. A formal scientific background would be useful, but it is not essential if you have the required communications experience.

Why Apply?

This is much more than a business-as-usual communications role. You'll have the opportunity to influence decisions at senior leadership level, shape the direction of an entire function and help wider audiences connect with important scientific and technical work.

The organisation offers a strong overall benefits package, including generous annual leave, pension contributions, family-friendly policies, wellbeing support and extensive learning and development opportunities.

The Recruiter's Thoughts

Ben, who is managing this role, says:

“What stands out here is the level of influence. You'll be trusted to shape the communications direction, advise senior leaders and develop an established team, rather than simply delivering somebody else’s plan. It will suit someone who can think strategically while still caring about the quality of the words, campaigns and experiences their team produces. The ability to make complex scientific or technical subjects feel accessible and relevant will be particularly important.”

Location

The role is based in Cambridge, and hybrid working is available after a successful probation period, with regular attendance at the Cambridge workplace required. Candidates should therefore be within a realistic commuting distance. The location is commutable from Ely, Newmarket, Royston, Saffron Walden, Haverhill, Huntingdon, St Ives, Cambourne, and surrounding Cambridgeshire areas.