Senior Communications Manager - Media, Content & Insights

The Communications Department inspires, informs and engages the public by showcasing Alzheimer’s Research UK’s mission, impact and scientific progress across all channels. We lead the charity’s media, content and strategic communications activity, ensuring clear, accurate and compelling storytelling that supports research, fundraising and organisational priorities. The Senior Communications Manager, Media, Content & Insights provides strategic leadership across three specialist Communications functions: Media & PR, Content, and Metrics & Insights. The role directs the managers responsible for each function, ensuring their plans are strategically aligned, evidence‑led and delivering high‑quality outputs that strengthen ARUK’s reputation and organisational narrative. Working closely with senior colleagues across Research, Policy & Public Affairs, Corporate Partnerships, Fundraising, Strategic Marketing, Digital and Brand, the Senior Manager ensures ARUK communicates with authority, accuracy and consistency across audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Planning
  • Provide strategic leadership and clear direction to the Media & PR, Content and Metrics & Insights Managers, ensuring aligned plans and shared priorities.
  • Set the strategic vision for media engagement, content development and measurement across Communications.
  • Oversee cross‑channel planning ensuring integrated, audience‑focused approaches.
  • Ensure Communications strategies underpin organisational objectives including research, fundraising, policy and brand priorities.
• Delivery & Oversight
  • Oversee delivery of high‑quality media activity, content outputs and performance reporting.
  • Maintain senior oversight of high‑risk or sensitive media issues, ensuring effective handling and escalation.
  • Ensure content and media outputs meet ARUK standards for accuracy, accessibility, branding and safeguarding.
  • Support managers with operational oversight, prioritisation and resource planning.
• Cross‑Team & Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Act as a senior Communications partner to Research, Policy, Strategic Marketing, Corporate Partnerships, Fundraising and Brand.
  • Ensure consistent messaging and shared narrative frameworks across teams.
  • Lead cross‑team planning ensuring alignment with Digital, Social Media, Press Office and other functions.
  • Build strong stakeholder relationships and represent Communications in senior forums.
  • Line manage and support the Media & PR Manager, Content Manager and Metrics & Insights Manager.
  • Provide coaching, challenge and strategic guidance to managers.
  • Foster a collaborative, inclusive and forward‑looking team culture.
  • Identify capability needs and support team development to meet future priorities.
• Governance, Risk & Quality Assurance
  • Oversee reputational risk management across media, content and insights.
  • Ensure compliance with ARUK brand, editorial, ethical and regulatory standards.
  • Embed measurement culture by defining KPIs and supporting evidence‑based planning.
  • Lead continuous improvement of Communications systems, processes and workflows.

What this role delivers

• A unified strategic approach across Media, Content and Insights.
• Stronger integrated Communications enhancing ARUK’s reputation and impact.
• A consistent narrative supporting research, policy, fundraising and brand priorities.
• Evidence‑led Communications planning improving organisational decision‑making.

Knowledge, skills and experience needed

• Extensive experience leading communications teams particularly in media and press relations.
• Track record developing and delivering high‑impact communications strategies.
• Experience managing senior stakeholders and influencing at executive level.
• Experience working with high profile external individuals, such as celebrities, business leaders or senior politicians.
• Strong understanding of media, content and communications measurement methodologies.
• Experience managing reputational risk and supporting crisis response.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and working with vulnerable individuals.
• Familiarity with complex or technical subject matter (research, science, policy).
• Excellent strategic thinking and judgement.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to lead multiple specialist teams effectively.
• High emotional intelligence and ethical judgement.
• Highly organised, able to manage competing priorities.
• Collaborative, proactive and improvement‑focused.

Additional Information

As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office. Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals. This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. The closing date for applications is the 31st May 2026, with interviews being arranged once shortlisting has been completed. 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, particularly from those in the global majority, those with disabilities, men and those from the LGBTQIA+ community. Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK. As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.