Senior PR and Communications Manager (Arts & Social Sciences)

King's College London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university based in Greater London is looking for a Senior PR and Communications Manager. The role involves leading proactive media relations, executing successful PR campaigns, and managing communications professionals. Candidates should have a strong track record in PR, excellent relationship-building skills, and the ability to translate complex ideas into engaging narratives. This full-time position offers an annual salary between £53,947 to £63,350, inclusive of London Allowance.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of securing high-profile media coverage.
• Experience managing communications professionals.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into clear narratives.

Responsibilities

• Lead proactive media relations for King's College.
• Run communications campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences.
• Provide strategic advice on messaging during communications issues.

Skills

Proactive PR campaign execution

Social media strategy

Stakeholder management

Content creation

Education

Professional qualification in journalism, communications or PR

Job description

About Us

Founded in 1829, King’s College London is the 31st best university in the world and the 5th best in the UK. With an outstanding reputation for world-class teaching and cutting‑edge research, King’s is home to more than 42,000 students from over 190 countries.

With an ambitious vision for the future, effective and inspiring communications are crucial. As Senior PR and Communications Manager (Arts & Social Sciences), you will play a pivotal role in telling stories about King’s across arts, humanities and social sciences research. Working within our award‑winning Communications team, you will lead proactive media relations and deliver compelling stories that strengthen King’s brand and reputation in national and international media. You will work closely with faculties, academics and senior leaders to uncover and tell stories that showcase King’s research and education excellence.

You will provide strategic leadership and direction to faculty communications colleagues, creating and placing compelling and engaging content aligned to the university’s strategic priorities in national and international news outlets, on the website and across King’s digital channels. You will run communications campaigns that resonate with staff, students and external audiences. You will also assist the university’s issues communications response offering strategic advice on messaging and lines to take.

About the Role

You’ll be a curious, driven communicator with a proven track record of securing high‑profile media coverage and leading successful communications campaigns. You will have excellent relationship building skills, with strong contacts across national and international media and key influencers. You will also have a strong understanding of how to use digital and social media platforms to amplify stories and reach diverse audiences.

To be successful in this role, you will have experience managing communications professionals, shaping content for multiple channels and translating complex ideas into accessible, eye‑catching narratives. You will be highly organised and adaptable and thrive in fast‑moving environments while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. You will be a creative self‑starter, with a collaborative attitude who can bring people together to deliver impactful results.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite term contract.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• Excellent track record of generating and executing successful, proactive PR campaigns that deliver measurable, positive reputation outcomes for an organisation.
• Strong understanding of how to leverage social media and other digital platforms to amplify PR efforts and enhance global brand reach.
• Ability to translate complex material into clear, engaging narratives that inspire and excite diverse audiences.
• Experience managing communications issues and external reputation challenges, with the ability to provide strategic advice and protect institutional reputation under pressure.
• Experience using evaluation tools to measure impact, including the use of insights, analytics and emerging trends to inform content and improve performance.
• Excellent news sense and the ability to craft, brief and pitch compelling stories to journalists and influencers.
• Experience managing and developing communications professionals, fostering a proactive, creative and collaborative team culture.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with a collaborative approach to working across teams, senior stakeholders and external partners.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge and/or experience of working in the higher education sector.
• A professional qualification in journalism, communications or PR.

£53,947 to £63,350. Grade 7, per annum, inclusive of London Allowance