Head of Communications and Impact

Head of Communications and Impact

Location: Central London (Hybrid – around 40% on site)
Duration: 6 months
Hours: 21.9 per week (3 days)
Rate: £28.86 per hour
Interviews: Week commencing 27th January

Bring ideas to life. Shape national conversation. Turn research into impact that matters.

A leading London university is looking for a creative, strategically minded Head of Communications and Impact to champion one of the UK’s most ambitious research-policy collaborations — connecting world-class universities with national and local policymakers to ensure evidence drives meaningful change.
You’ll take ownership of a dynamic communications portfolio that spans thought-leadership content, media relations, digital storytelling, and public engagement. From curating impact narratives to coordinating high-profile academic-policy events, you’ll play a pivotal role in amplifying how research informs real-world decision-making.

What you'll do

• Craft and deliver a bold communication strategy that positions the programme as a national leader in research-policy engagement.
• Lead the creation of engaging written content — newsletters, case studies, blogs, and publications that celebrate research influence and public impact.
• Oversee digital channels and a developing web platform that will become a go-to hub for academic-policy collaboration.
• Partner with senior academics, research leaders, and communications professionals across multiple universities to ensure coherent, high-quality narratives.
• Monitor communication reach and celebrate tangible impact stories backed by robust evidence.

What you'll bring

• A strong track record delivering communications within research, higher education, or policy environments.
• Brilliant writing and editorial instincts, with a talent for transforming complex ideas into compelling, accessible storytelling.
• Confidence managing multi-channel campaigns and building trusted relationships with academic and policy stakeholders.
• Organisational flair, creative insight, and the steady focus needed to deliver high-quality results across concurrent projects.

This is more than a communications role — it’s an opportunity to give voice to research that shapes society. Join a vibrant, supportive network of colleagues dedicated to bridging the worlds of academia, government, and public life.