Communications Manager

Communications Manager

Terms: 22.5 hours per week / 0.6 FTE, 3 days per week; one year contract with possibility for extension
Salary: £39,000 - £47,000 per annum (pro rata)
Location: Remote working and quarterly in-person team away days.

Closing Date: Friday 30th March 2025. On submission of your application, please add​ ‘Communications Manager’ in the subject line. Your application should include the following:

• Cover Letter
• CV
• ​A one-page document (including images) highlighting a previous communications campaign that you worked on. Please use the following format: clearly outline the a) purpose, b) key message(s), c) description, and d) outcome/impact of the campaign.

Please note that you must have the right to work in the UK. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are not able to acknowledge receipt of all applications and only shortlisted candidates will be notified. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, you have not been successful.

About BASIC

BASIC is an independent think tank whose mission is to safeguard humanity and Earth’s ecosystem from nuclear weapons risks and interconnected security threats, for generations to come. Founded in 1987, we have 40 years’ experience of convening meaningful dialogues across complex political divides, and a reputation for generating innovative, high-quality research and policy advice.

BASIC sees its role as one of drawing together different perspectives within the nuclear weapons / security debate and pushing the boundaries of policy discussions. We cherish our independence and freedom of speech. We are independent, receive no core funding from any state, and our project work is funded transparently.

BASIC is a fast-paced, inclusive, and rewarding environment in which to work. We have experienced 5x growth since 2017, and our intention is to continue this growth trajectory, and have an exceptionally positive team culture.

Role Description

BASIC is seeking an experienced and strategic Communications Manager to lead and implement effective communication strategies that amplify our mission, enhance our brand identity, and strengthen engagement with key audiences. The ideal candidate will have exceptional written and verbal communication skills, a proactive approach to storytelling, and the ability to collaborate across the organisation to ensure clear, consistent, and impactful messaging.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Communications Manager will play a central role in shaping BASIC’s external presence, working across programmes to craft compelling narratives for social media, the website, and other digital platforms, as well as press contacts.

The Communications Manager will be the point of contact for all communication activity and will be responsible for setting the strategy and communicating this to the team. As an organisation, BASIC is keen to develop brand identity, particularly amongst our programmes and the Communications Manager will be instrumental in developing this work. 

Main Duties

Organisational Communications & Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with BASIC’s mission and objectives including a strong link to impact.

• Lead the evolution of our social media strategy, ensuring increased engagement and impact.

• Develop and implement strategic online communication plans to enhance BASIC’s digital presence, ensuring consistent and engaging messaging across all platforms.

• Oversee BASIC’s branding and identity development, ensuring consistency across programmes and platforms. This includes: organisational brand asset, image, review and refresh.

• Act as BASIC’s press officer, managing media engagement, journalistic contacts, and public relations.

• Plan and execute BASIC’s website redevelopment strategy, including better functionality for fundraising efforts and overseeing all aspects of website content/management.

• Draft, edit, and manage organisational newsletters using MailerLite, ensuring clear, engaging, and audience-focused content that aligns with BASIC’s communications strategy.

• Provide communications training to staff, fostering a culture of shared responsibility for communications.

• Create promotional materials to advance BASIC’s initiatives

• Strengthen BASIC’s internal and external communications, ensuring alignment with key stakeholders.

Programme Responsibilities

• Develop and execute tailored communications plans for specific programmes, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and effective audience engagement.

• Collaborate with programme teams to create and distribute engaging content that highlights programme achievements and key messages

• Work with programme teams to define the strategy, vision and purpose of newsletters

• Coordinate programme events (virtual and in-person), in terms of communications outreach to increase visibility and structuring of success stories

• Support the creation of digital content (social media posts, website updates, videos, etc.) to promote programme activities and initiatives

• Assist with publishing programme reports including proofing and providing guidance for branding and imagery 

• Provide communications support for programme fundraising activities

• Monitor and analyse communications impact across programmes, using feedback and data to suggest improvements and ensure messaging is reaching the right audiences

• Help to manage relationships with key stakeholders for each programme by ensuring ongoing engagement and support for programme objectives

• Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all programme communications to maintain coherence with the organisation's overall identity

Role Requirements

Essential criteria for the role:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Marketing, Education, Business, Fundraising)

8+ years of working in a communications role

Knowledge of global security issues with linkage to UK policy 

Proven experience in developing and implementing communication strategies aligned with organisational goals and objectives

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling messages

Ability to generate innovative ideas and content that engage target audiences and enhance brand visibility

Strong networking and stakeholder engagement skills

Experience in monitoring and evaluating communication impact through media coverage, engagement metrics, and analytics. Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and identify areas for improvement.

Strong collaborative skills with the ability to work effectively across teams to ensure consistent messaging and brand representation.

Keen eye for detail with a commitment to accuracy and quality in all communications materials.

Desirable criteria for the role:

Experience in crisis communications, including drafting statements and managing sensitive issues.

Why Join BASIC?

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the communications strategy of a respected international security think tank. If you are a creative, strategic, and proactive communicator who thrives in a collaborative environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Please note that, due to the large number of applications we receive, we are not able to acknowledge receipt of all applications and only shortlisted candidates will be notified. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, you have not been successful.