Job Description

Salary

Circa 55,000 per annum

Contract type

Fixed Term

Location

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

This is a fixed term

,

6-months, full time vacancy.

The VacancyThe Senior Communications Manager (Policy and Campaigns) - FTC leads two fast-paced and multi-disciplinary teams within Communications a team covering policy communications, communication campaigns and strategic projects, including our Dementia Attitudes Monitor and the innovative Think Brain Health offer. The Senior Communications Manager will be responsible for setting out strategy and plans that support our behaviour change and supporter ambitions.


They are also responsible for Alzheimer's Research UK's (ARUK's) media relations, managing and maintaining an agile and responsive press office, ensuring the efficient staffing and running of the out of hours on call rota and our crisis communications plans. Lead the process for monitoring and reporting on the impact of media and communications work


The Senior Manager will act as a point of contact for communications and media sign-off across the organisation, providing strategic communications advice and coordinating activity across the teams they support. They will work closely with the Head of Communications and Executive Director of Policy, Communications, and Involvement, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, and our social media team.


The Senior Manager will ensure quality, accuracy and consistency in their team's work across our messaging and develop multi-channel content to engage and inspire the public and other stakeholder audiences with our work.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership of the Policy Communications and Campaigns and Projects teams, line managing two Managers and a team of around 5 people. Delivery of operational plan and the day-to-day budgeting, ensuring that the team operates cost effectively in meeting its objectives. Overseeing ARUK media and communications activities including planning ARUK-led PR launches and campaigns, developing creative multi-channel content to showcase ARUK's work, developing and optimising messages according to audience and task, and creating high impact opportunities to reach the public, decision makers and donors. Developing a full understanding of the news agenda around the issue of dementia and devising strategies to influence and lead this agenda and its conversations. Responsible for news desk and managing on call media cover, with matrix management of colleagues Responsible for updating PR key messages and media training of key spokespeople. Responsible for setting out KPIs for media metrics and collating and analysing these to inform future approaches. Working with all managers, in particular the Senior Strategic Comms Manager, the Senior Science Comms Manager, across the wider Communications Dept to ensure coordination of activity, ongoing Department culture and development of new working practices. Representation of ARUK through media work up to national level.
Representation of ARUK at project boards, working groups and chairing meetings, as appropriate.

Policy Communications

Work with the Policy Comms Manager to design influential communication strategies and build thought leadership campaigns that build public support for ARUK's key influencing priorities. Work with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs to develop a strategic approach to engaging decision makers, and ensuring an influential programme of proactive comms activity that positions ARUK in the media on key policy issues. Horizon scanning and monitoring of the latest policy and political developments relating to ARUK and its work, and identifying processes to commission content and pitches that drive proactive PR.

Campaigns and Projects

Working with the Communications Manager (Campaigns and Projects) to lead the development of the Think Brain Healthcheck in tool; through optimising existing marketing and communications opportunities to maximise engagement and build public awareness of Brain Health Responsible for stakeholder management across internal colleagues, and funder engagement around key external corporate partnerships. Responsible for optimising ARUK's biannual Dementia Attitudes Monitor, and identifying communications campaigns and opportunities to influence public attitudes towards dementia

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Experience leading, developing and line managing a team Experience working in a campaigns, policy or behaviour change communications role in a national organisation Strong experience in communications - including planning and developing compelling content and reaching audiences with creative communications and campaigns Excellent journalistic ability and an understanding of how to influence and use the media. You will understand the motivations of journalists, and have significant experience of building excellent relationships with journalists and landing coverage on specific issues for an organisation A track record of developing and implementing effective communications campaigns and extensive project management experience Understanding of communications planning and strategy Strong and positive leadership skills and an ability to inspire and drive the performance of a diverse team Creative flair, strong editorial sense (esp for digital content) 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 In-tune with scientific progress, politics and the policy agenda, as well as an understanding of consumer preferences and creative communications Short- and long-term strategic vision. Strong accountability, making decisions collaboratively with colleagues and clearly communicating the reasons for these decisions. Excellent communicator with an ability to build relationships and inspire confidence and respect at all levels. Demonstrates strong negotiation and decision-making skills Excellent organisation and managerial skills with the ability to manage a large number of tasks to multiple deadlines and to oversee a large and multi-skilled team responsible for a range of outputs Exceptional people skills and the ability to communicate to a variety of stakeholders, including senior staff and volunteers, the media at all levels, government, industry and families affected by dementia 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. Focus on impact and keen ability to prioritise. An eye for detail, able to write compelling accurate content for a variety of policy outputs Ability 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 meetings, at conferences and in the media. 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. Willingness and ability to travel independently in the UK and beyond, to work outside of regular office hours.


The closing date for applications is 2nd December 2025, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. . 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 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.

Holiday entitlement

Healthcare

Sick pay

Pension

Cycle to work scheme

Family friendly policies

Learning & development