Communications Director London, England
Job description
Job Title: Communications Director
Location: London
Job Type: Permanent
At LifeArc, we want to hear from people who are as passionate as we are about making life science life changing that can improve patients’ lives.
A bit about the role:
This is a critical role in improving the visibility and perception of LifeArc with key external audiences including life sciences, influencers and investors, academic researchers, government, research organisations and medical charities. The post holder will be responsible for leading a strong team, and for leading our external communication strategy, activity and campaigns to enable LifeArc to achieve our strategic ambitions, focusing on reputation management at all times. They will be expected to advise, guide and prepare LifeArc senior leaders on external communications issues and opportunities. They will also be expected to oversee, direct and develop LifeArc’s internal communications strategy.
You will create and implement a multi-channel external communications strategy, channel strategy and content strategy
Continually evolve LifeArc’s narrative, brand voice and maintain brand integrity across all platforms
Manage media relations and press office with Head of Media, and develop contacts with media members, influencers, and community leaders
Work with Content Lead to direct development of engaging digital, video audio and print content for use in multiple channels, including channels which may be owned by the marketing and engagement teams
Manage all LifeArc’s external speaking opportunities, both reactively and proactively, ensuring they are tracked and appropriately resourced, that presentations are developed and collated centrally, and that participation in events is communicated internally and leveraged externally
Manage media outreach activities, including national and regional campaigns, ensuring messaging is clear and accurate, audiences are identified and reached, outcomes are tracked and best value is achieved through media partnerships
Develop and lead a thought leadership agenda for the CEO and the broader organisation, identifying appropriate issues on which to comment, drafting messaging and materials and managing the channel strategy
Work with Internal Communications Manager (a direct report) to develop and implement an internal communications strategy to build internal engagement and ensure timely and accurate distribution of information internally
Work closely with colleagues in engagement functions to ensure patients and participants are suitably represented in our communications activities, to ensure that the public, newborn and diversity engagement strategies are aligned with the communications strategy, and to support any engagement campaigns with media outreach and content
Work closely with the Marketing Director to develop content for digital channels, and to ensure communications activities are aligned with LifeArc’s marketing activities and events
Manage multiple agencies, ensuring clear deliverables are communicated and tracked and that best value is delivered
Lead any crisis communications and engage agencies where necessary, with a view to protecting the reputation of LifeArc, its purpose and its senior management
Develop an evaluation model to establish and track communications KPIs
About you:
Education & experience required:
Degree level or equivalent
Membership of a professional association would be desirable
Skills & abilities:
8+ years experience in developing, directing, and implementing communication strategies.
Experience of managing complex, multi-site and hybrid teams and working in matrixed environments
Experience of working in multiple sectors, including commerce/industry
Ability to plan and craft impactful strategic communications which further organisational goals
Highly effective writing style and strong editing skills, gained across a range of media/channels and strong ability in PowerPoint and other Office applications
Ability to distil complex information into clear, nuanced and motivational messaging appropriate for specific audience needs
Knowledge of best practice tools and processes (including digital) to improve two way flow of communications and to measure, track and improve internal communications engagement and success
High attention to detail as required by scientific sector
Ability to influence at all levels with experience of managing internal senior stakeholder and collaborative business partnering relationships
Experience of working in communications in the life sciences sector preferred but not essential
About us:
At LifeArc, our ambition is to make life science life changing. We do this by advancing scientific discoveries beyond the lab, faster, so that they can shape the next generation of diagnostics, treatments, and cures.
Working at the cutting edge of translational science and as the early-stage translation specialists, we progress scientific discoveries on their journey to becoming a medicine, diagnostic or intervention that can improve patients’ lives. Our work begins by seeking out innovative science, then helping to develop this to a point where there is a clinical and commercial pathway for others to invest the time and money to take it further forward.
What we can offer you:
Salary will be determined by qualifications and experience along with other exceptional benefits. Because we understand everyone has different requirements, our flexible benefits allow you to choose those which are important to you. Our pension scheme offers employer contributions of up to 12%, private health insurance, and annual leave of 31 days PLUS bank holidays.
Join us, and you’ll have the scope to be creative and take measured risks. You’ll be rewarded for your curiosity, for working as one team, and for learning fast. And you’ll have everything you need to be your best every day.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds, for example, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At LifeArc we are dedicated in building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so whatever your background or lived experience, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. Our top priority is finding the best candidate and you may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
We all have potential. At LifeArc, you’ll discover what you can really do with it.
