Head of Digital at the British Academy (London)
Head of Digital at the British Academy (London)

Head of Digital at the British Academy (London)

London Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
E

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the digital transformation and strategy for the British Academy's communications.
  • Company: The British Academy champions humanities and social sciences, supporting research and debate.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a pivotal role with leadership opportunities and a chance to shape digital communications.
  • Why this job: Be part of a transformative project that places digital at the heart of an influential organisation.
  • Qualifications: Degree level education in humanities or social sciences; strong leadership and digital strategy experience required.
  • Other info: This role requires EU work permit; based in Central London.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Social network you want to login/join with:

Head of Digital at the British Academy, Central London

col-narrow-left

Client:

Ellwood Atfield

Location:

Central London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

col-narrow-right

Job Reference:

7bddcd5be131

Job Views:

7

Posted:

22.06.2025

Expiry Date:

06.08.2025

col-wide

Job Description:

The British Academy is a voice that champions humanities and social sciences. As a national body they support the study of people, cultures and societies, past, present and future.
Their purpose is: to be an independent Fellowship of world-leading scholars and researchers; a Funding Body that supports new research (nationally and internationally); and a Forum for debate and engagement.

The opportunity:

This is a pivotal role in the organisation as the British Academy is currently reviewing and re‐shaping all aspects of the organisation’s communications activity, with a particular focus on how they use digital channels to communicate with their diverse audience. This newly created Head of Digital position will be a central role in a communications transformation project placing digital at the heart of the organisation’s strategy.
You will own the entire digital department and develop and implement a new strategy, including formatting existing channels and introducing new ones. As part of the Communications Management Team, you will manage and develop a digitally forward-facing team of staff, as well as contributing to the Communications Strategy. This will also include working collaboratively with other managers across the disciplines, and developing a community of editors.

Main responsibilities include:

Digital Communications

  • Act as the Digital Communications Champion for the organisation, promoting a digital‐first approach
  • Provide leadership of the Academy’s websites and other digital channels, with particular focus on UX and IA
  • Develop a roadmap of digital priorities
  • Manage the production of rich media, including the budget for the external commissioning of content
  • Develop the Academy’s social media strategy, ensuring channels and content aligns with the brand
  • Produce and commission research to ensure the effectiveness of our communications
  • Provide editorial management of the Academy website
  • Advocate for the user, ensuring excellent User Experience across all platforms
  • Keep up to date with new developments in digital and feed opportunities into the Academy’s Digital Roadmap
  • Develop a range of processes and systems to support the management of our digital channels
  • Use analytics to regularly review the performance of the site
  • Enhance the Academy’s SEO, through active management of content
  • Project manage the development of new channels
  • Develop a community of Content Editors, providing active training and support to ensure high standards
  • Support colleagues to modernise their communications

Leadership and management

  • Lead and manage a team of two assistants
  • Deputise for the Director of Communications in her absence
  • Play an active role in the Communications Directorate Management Team, contributing to cross‐team development
  • Play an active role in the wider Team Leaders network, contributing to organisational efficiency and effectiveness
  • Oversee a significant budget

Required skills and experience include:

  • Demonstrable record of achievement in delivering significant results for an organisation from digital communications
  • Demonstrable experience of leading digital transformation for an organisation
  • Extensive experience of developing multi‐channelled digital communications strategies
  • Experience of managing digital transformation projects, with associated budgets and staffing
  • Educated to degree level or equivalent, ideally in a humanities or social sciences discipline
  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and lead a team – experience in people management is beneficial
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, able to communicate effectively with people at all levels
  • Ability to engage and motivate non‐specialists to create change
  • Ability to gather and interpret research and insight to make user‐focused decisions
  • Political judgement and the ability to make sound business decisions
  • Ability to persuade and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders
  • Ability to manage completing demands and prioritise and delegate accordingly

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Head of Digital at the British Academy (London) employer: Ellwood Atfield

The British Academy is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Central London, where you can lead transformative digital initiatives that champion the humanities and social sciences. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the Academy fosters a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and professional development, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their field.
E

Contact Detail:

Ellwood Atfield Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Digital at the British Academy (London)

Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the digital communications field, especially those who have experience in the humanities and social sciences. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and industry leaders who can provide insights into the British Academy's culture and expectations.

Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in digital transformation and user experience design. Being well-versed in current best practices will not only enhance your understanding but also demonstrate your commitment to leading the digital strategy at the British Academy.

Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led digital transformation projects in the past. Highlight your ability to manage budgets and teams, as well as your experience in developing multi-channel strategies that align with organisational goals.

Tip Number 4

Research the British Academy’s current digital presence and identify areas for improvement. This proactive approach will not only help you understand their needs but also allow you to present tailored ideas during discussions, showcasing your strategic thinking and initiative.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Digital at the British Academy (London)

Digital Communications Strategy
User Experience (UX) Design
Information Architecture (IA)
Social Media Management
Content Production and Commissioning
Digital Transformation Leadership
Budget Management
Analytical Skills
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Project Management
Team Leadership and Development
Interpersonal Communication
Stakeholder Engagement
Research and Insight Interpretation
Political Judgement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, take time to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Head of Digital position at the British Academy. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with their needs.

Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly showcase your achievements in digital communications and transformation. Use quantifiable results to demonstrate your impact in previous roles, especially in leading teams and managing budgets.

Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the humanities and social sciences. Discuss your vision for digital communications at the British Academy and how you plan to enhance their digital strategy. Make it personal and engaging.

Highlight Leadership Experience: Since this role involves leading a team, emphasise your leadership skills and experience in managing people. Provide examples of how you've inspired teams and contributed to cross-team development in past positions.

How to prepare for a job interview at Ellwood Atfield

Showcase Your Digital Expertise

Make sure to highlight your previous experience in digital communications and transformation. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you successfully implemented digital strategies, focusing on the results achieved.

Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As this role involves managing a team, it's crucial to convey your leadership style. Share examples of how you've inspired and developed teams in the past, and be ready to discuss how you would approach leading the digital department at the British Academy.

Understand the Organisation's Mission

Familiarise yourself with the British Academy's goals and values. During the interview, express how your vision for digital communications aligns with their mission to champion humanities and social sciences.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think about potential challenges the British Academy might face in their digital transformation and how you would address them.

Head of Digital at the British Academy (London)
Ellwood Atfield
E
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>