Senior Communications Manager - Media, Content & Insights

Salary Circa £60,000 per annum

Contract type Permanent

Location Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AD (Agile; approximately 2 days a week from our office)

Published

19 hours ago

Closing

in 18 days

This is a Permanent, , Full Time vacancy that will close in 18 days at 23:59 BST.

The Vacancy

The Communications Department inspires, informs and engages the public by showcasing Alzheimer’s Research UK’s mission, impact and scientific progress across all channels. We lead the charity’s media, content and strategic communications activity, ensuring clear, accurate and compelling storytelling that supports research, fundraising and organisational priorities.
The Senior Communications Manager, Media, Content & Insights provides strategic leadership across three specialist Communications functions: Media & PR, Content, and Metrics & Insights. The role directs the managers responsible for each function, ensuring their plans are strategically aligned, evidence‑led and delivering high‑quality outputs that strengthen ARUK’s reputation and organisational narrative.

Working closely with senior colleagues across Research, Policy & Public Affairs, Corporate Partnerships, Fundraising, Strategic Marketing, Digital and Brand, the Senior Manager ensures ARUK communicates with authority, accuracy and consistency across audiences.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Provide strategic leadership and clear direction to the Media & PR, Content and Metrics & Insights Managers, ensuring aligned plans and shared priorities.
• Set the strategic vision for media engagement, content development and measurement across Communications.
• Oversee cross‑channel planning ensuring integrated, audience‑focused approaches.
• Ensure Communications strategies underpin organisational objectives including research, fundraising, policy and brand priorities.

Delivery & Oversight

• Oversee delivery of high‑quality media activity, content outputs and performance reporting.
• Maintain senior oversight of high‑risk or sensitive media issues, ensuring effective handling and escalation.
• Ensure content and media outputs meet ARUK standards for accuracy, accessibility, branding and safeguarding.
• Support managers with operational oversight, prioritisation and resource planning.

Cross‑Team & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Act as a senior Communications partner to Research, Policy, Strategic Marketing, Corporate
• Partnerships, Fundraising and Brand.
• Ensure consistent messaging and shared narrative frameworks across teams.
• Lead cross‑team planning ensuring alignment with Digital, Social Media, Press Office and other functions.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and represent Communications in senior forums.

Team Leadership & Development

• Line manage and support the Media & PR Manager, Content Manager and Metrics & Insights Manager.
• Provide coaching, challenge and strategic guidance to managers.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive and forward‑looking team culture.
• Identify capability needs and support team development to meet future priorities.

Governance, Risk & Quality Assurance

• Oversee reputational risk management across media, content and insights.
• Ensure compliance with ARUK brand, editorial, ethical and regulatory standards.
• Embed measurement culture by defining KPIs and supporting evidence‑based planning.
• Lead continuous improvement of Communications systems, processes and workflows.

What this role delivers

• A unified strategic approach across Media, Content and Insights.
• Stronger integrated Communications enhancing ARUK’s reputation and impact.
• High‑performing specialist teams delivering impactful communications outputs.
• A consistent narrative supporting research, policy, fundraising and brand priorities.
• Evidence‑led Communications planning improving organisational decision‑making.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Extensive experience leading communications teams particularly in media and press relations.
• Track record developing and delivering high‑impact communications strategies.
• Experience managing senior stakeholders and influencing at executive level.
• Experience working with high profile external individuals, such as celebrities, business leaders or senior politicians.
• Strong understanding of media, content and communications measurement methodologies.
• Experience managing reputational risk and supporting crisis response.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and working with vulnerable individuals.
• Familiarity with complex or technical subject matter (research, science, policy).
• Excellent strategic thinking and judgement.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to lead multiple specialist teams effectively.
• High emotional intelligence and ethical judgement.
• Highly organised, able to manage competing priorities.
• Collaborative, proactive and improvement‑focused.

The closing date for applications is the 31st May 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country. Recently, the company has won multiple workplace environment awards and has an outstanding record of employee satisfaction.

The Benefits

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The Values

• Innovation

We are creative and fearless in our work.

• Accountability

We take ownership of our work and lead from the front.

• Teamwork

We collaborate widely and build supportive environments.

The Charity

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.

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.

The Benefits

It is important to offer a range of benefits which are designed to meet both the organisational and individual needs, are market competitive and designed to attract and retain employees.

For more details on working for Alzheimer's Research UK click here.

Holiday entitlement

Healthcare

Sick pay

Pension

Cycle to work scheme

Family friendly policies

Learning & development

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