Head of Communications

The Head of Communications plays a leadership role in the management, development, and protection of ARUK’s external voice, profile and reputation. The role leads a highly engaged and high-performing Department that brings the work of Alzheimer’s Research UK to life and rallies people to our cause, sharpening our messages and shaping what the public thinks and feels about dementia.

Alzheimer’s Research UK is a leading voice on dementia and research, and this postholder will ensure that the charity speaks consistently and expertly on a range of topics from inspiring donors to influencing government. They will lead a department covering PR, strategic communications, case study stories, science and policy communications.

The Head brings expertise developing communications campaigns, and in creating and adapting messaging for a range of external audiences. Their expertise will bring the work of ARUK to life through PR, multimedia storytelling, and compelling fundraising copy. Their broad remit will also lead our work to shape public understanding of dementia through public health campaigns like Think Brain Health and by tracking national perceptions through the Dementia Attitudes Monitor.

They will grow the reach and influence of ARUK, defining communications priorities, and positioning ARUK and its Senior Leadership team as expert voices nationally and internationally.

The Head reports into the Executive Director of Policy & Communications and works closely with the Director of Research, Heads of Policy and Public Affairs, and Brand and Digital to ensure those interacting with Alzheimer’s Research UK receive a consistent and high-quality supporter experience. The postholder will be experienced at managing large teams and working across multiple projects, bringing the drive to seek out new and proactive opportunities for the department and wider charity.

 

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

·         Leadership of the multi-disciplinary Communications Department, line managing three Senior Managers and a total department of around 20 people.

·         Manage the annual planning, budgeting and reforecasting process, ensuring that actual expenditure delivers within budgeted targets.

·         Oversee the Department’s PR activities: maintaining ARUK as a trusted voice and thought leader on research and policy developments; tracking the impact of our PR work against the Comms Strategy and with our media monitoring agency; and developing effective PR strategies to optimise reach to key audiences.

·         Use quantitative and qualitative insight to develop and expand the charity’s core messaging, ensuring consistent and compelling communications about dementia and research in line with the ARUK brand.

·         Ensure first-class communications, PR and copywriting support to fundraising teams across the charity, working closely with Fundraising Heads of Department to develop high-level fundraising propositions and pitches.

·         Leadership of cross-organisational groups to define the communications and influencing priorities for ARUK, and develop robust multi-channel comms plans, positioning and supporting the Senior Leadership team and senior ambassadors.

·         Oversee crisis communications and management of the charity’s external reputation, including delivery of the Annual Report and Review.

·         Champion the sensitive and appropriate use of real-life case studies across the charity and in the media.

·         Track public perceptions of dementia, including overseeing delivery of the charity’s Dementia Attitudes Monitor, using that insight to inform new campaigns and approaches to tackle key issues or reach groups with lowest levels of engagement.

·         Identify and deliver wide-reaching health campaigns to address key areas of misunderstanding or disengagement, including leading the development and growth of the charity’s Think Brain Health campaign.

·         High level representation of ARUK at project boards and external working groups as appropriate.

·         Provide strong leadership and support to the Communications Department, through coaching, mentoring and developing individuals to deliver an effective and efficient service across the charity.

·         Carry out performance appraisal meetings and effectively promote team building and collaborative working to deliver the strategic and operational plans.

 

What we are looking for:

·         Experience working in a communications leadership or strategy role in a national organisation in the private, public, or voluntary sector.

·         Experience working extensively with the media, including managing complex health, science or policy issues.

·         Knowledge of how to develop inclusive communications, particularly reaching individuals with lower health literacy.

·         Experience leading market research and user insight projects to shape campaigns and messaging.

·         Excellent journalistic skills and an understanding of how to influence and use the media, including thought leadership.

·         Extensive experience developing and delivering multi-media and multi-channel communication strategies to reach both mass and specialist audiences.

·         Detailed understanding of the medical research environment.

·         Exceptional leadership skills and experience of managing diverse teams.

·         Excellent organizational skills; the ability to manage a large number of tasks to meet multiple deadlines.

·         Exemplary leadership with both short and long term strategic vision 

·         Excellent communicator with an ability to build relationships and inspire confidence and respect at all levels. Demonstrates strong negotiation and decision-making skills

·         Excellent listening skills, receptive to feedback and demonstrates flexibility, curiosity and an ability to learn

·         Strong team player who can work both independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders

·         A self-starter, able to work with independence, intelligence, drive and initiative to identify new opportunities and areas of strategic growth.

·         Creative flair, with an eye for detail, compelling copy and engaging ideas – able to spot opportunities and develop them for the benefit of ARUK and its beneficiaries.

·         Ability to explain complex information to all stakeholders

·         A confident speaker, able to represent the charity to the highest level in pitches, media interviews and meetings.

·         Demonstrates and encourages ownership and responsibility; builds drive and motivation in others – has a ‘can-do’ attitude and is committed to delivering results, and strives for continuous improvement

·         Strong ethical standards and a high level of personal integrity.

·         High self-awareness and low ego: works with an open, transparent and authentic style

·         Willingness and ability to travel independently in the UK and beyond, to work outside of regular office hours.

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £65,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 13th October 2024, with interviews likely to be held week commencing the 23rd October 2024. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity as the closing date may be brought forward at any time. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to be an inclusive employer and ensure fairness and consistency in selecting the best candidate for this role, your CV will be anonymised. Please however note we are unable to anonymise the application question which you are required to complete. When answering this question please remove any personal information, including your name. All questions answered as part of your application are also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. The hiring panel will only be made aware of your name and address once you are invited for an interview. Should you need any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, then please contact us via our website. 

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK:

Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2022, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement and were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

• 48th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

• 19th in the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

• 3rd in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, we demonstrated our commitment to changing the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace and signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. 

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK