ARIA is a UK R&D funding agency created to unlock technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone, funding scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible.
Role summary: Due to internal team shifts to support a maternity leave, this is an interim opportunity (12-month fixed-term contract, full time, hybrid at King's Cross, London) to shape and lead ARIA's programme communications as the agency scales. You will oversee the strategy, narrative, editorial standards and operating model for the programme portfolio, ensuring every opportunity space and programme is communicated effectively and aligned with ARIA's mission and institutional goals. Salary: £95,000.
What you'll do:
- Strategic direction and narrative architecture: co-develop ARIA's programme communications strategy with the Director of Communications and Engagement; establish narrative frameworks connecting opportunity spaces to ARIA's mission; identify cross-programme themes and embed lessons learned.
- Lead the Programme Comms function: lead a team of four including Programme Communications Managers and contractors; set standards, processes and ways of working between Communications and Programme teams; build capability in narrative development, stakeholder engagement and reputational judgement.
- Editorial and channel strategy: shape how programme stories extend across owned and earned channels; ensure programme milestones, launches and Creator announcements meet a high editorial bar.
- Reputational counsel: provide senior communications judgement on programme-level sensitivities and scrutiny; advise Programme Directors and leadership on positioning, framing and risks.
- Programme-comms integration: develop training, guidance and materials to improve collaboration between Communications and Programme teams.
- Institutional contribution: feed programme insight into ARIA's broader communications, media, events and policy positioning.
- Anchor programme leadership and AI in Science: act as strategic communications lead for one designated programme and help shape ARIA's AI in Science strategy and communications.
Essential criteria: proven track record in programme communications strategy and narrative frameworks; experience leading and developing comms teams, including contractors; senior communications judgement advising C-suite/programme leadership on complex risks and sensitive topics; high autonomy; high editorial standards and attention to detail.
Desirable: experience in a start-up, scale-up or R&D funding / science and technology ecosystem; ability to build scalable operating models and playbooks; familiarity with the AI in Science landscape or frontier science communications.
Benefits include 27 days annual leave, hybrid working (60% office / 40% home), learning and development support, enhanced family leave, 24/7 employee assistance programme, life assurance, 2 paid volunteer days, 5% defined contribution pension and Cycle to Work scheme.
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