Head of Communications | Scientific Research & Life Sciences

£70,000-£80,000 + Outstanding Benefits + Generous Employer Pension
📍 Location: Central London
🏡 Hybrid Working: 3 days in the office | 2 days from home
🌴 Annual Leave: 27 days + bank holidays
💼 Contract: Permanent | Full-Time

Ready to lead communications in a sector where your work can make a real difference?

Stafforce recruiting an experienced and passionate Head of Communications for a well-established organisation within the scientific research, healthcare and life sciences sector. This is a fantastic opportunity for a strategic, creative and hands-on communications leader who enjoys taking ownership, influencing senior stakeholders and shaping how an organisation is seen and heard. You'll play a key role in strengthening the organisation's national and international profile, leading communications and public engagement activity, and ensuring important research and developments reach the audiences that matter. We're looking for someone who can think strategically but is equally happy rolling up their sleeves and getting involved in delivery. This is a varied, high-impact position offering genuine responsibility, autonomy and the opportunity to make your mark.

What's in it for you?

Alongside a salary of £70,000-£80,000, you'll receive an excellent benefits package:

• Generous employer pension contribution
• 27 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working, with 2 days working from home each week.
• Private medical insurance and a comprehensive wellbeing package.
• Life assurance worth 4x your annual salary.
• Income protection and critical illness cover.
• Enhanced family-friendly benefits, including maternity, paternity, neonatal and adoption pay.
• Flexible holiday scheme, allowing you to buy or sell up to 5 days.
• Interest-free season ticket loan, employee discounts and an Employee Assistance Programme.

The role

As Head of Communications, you'll take the lead in developing and delivering an engaging, forward-thinking communications strategy that strengthens reputation, builds relationships and supports the organisation's wider ambitions.
Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and delivering a national communications and public engagement strategy.
• Working closely with senior leadership to shape key messages, organisational priorities and external communications.
• Leading media relations, PR, digital communications and brand positioning.
• Building strong relationships with government bodies, funders, research partners and other key stakeholders.
• Supporting public affairs activity and helping raise the organisation's profile with policymakers and decision-makers.
• Turning complex research and technical information into engaging, accessible content for a range of audiences.
• Leading internal communications and encouraging collaboration across teams and partner organisations.
• Managing reputation, handling sensitive communications and leading crisis communications when required.
• Supporting senior leaders with presentations, reports, briefings and thought leadership content.
• Leading, mentoring and developing communications colleagues while working collaboratively across different teams.
• Developing relationships with media contacts, scientific communities and industry partners.

What we're looking for

We're keen to speak with experienced communications leaders who can confidently manage both strategy and delivery and are comfortable working with senior stakeholders in a complex environment.
Ideally, you'll bring:

• Significant experience in a Head of Communications, Senior Communications Manager, Head of External Affairs or similar leadership position or looking for a your next step up!
• A proven track record of developing and delivering successful communications strategies.
• Strong experience across media relations, PR, public engagement, stakeholder communications and reputation management.
• Experience advising senior leadership teams, executives or boards.
• The confidence to manage sensitive issues and crisis communications.
• Excellent writing, presentation and storytelling skills.
• Experience leading teams, mentoring colleagues and working across multiple departments or organisations.
• A proactive, creative and hands-on approach, with the ability to work independently and take ownership.
• Experience within scientific research, life sciences, healthcare, higher education, medical research, charities or not-for-profit organisations would be particularly relevant but not essential.
• The ability to simplify complex information and communicate it clearly to different audiences.

Why consider this opportunity?

This is a brilliant opportunity for an experienced communications professional who wants more than just another leadership title. You'll have the freedom to shape communications strategy, work closely with senior decision-makers and play an important part in strengthening the profile of an established, purpose-driven organisation. The position offers a great mix of strategic influence, creativity, hands-on delivery and senior-level exposure, making it particularly attractive to someone who enjoys variety, autonomy and seeing the impact of their work.
With an excellent salary, generous pension, fantastic holiday entitlement and hybrid flexibility, there's plenty on offer both professionally and personally.

Interested? Let's have a chat!

If you're an experienced communications leader looking for your next opportunity, I'd love to hear from you.
Apply today with your CV!

S07

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.