At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead communications and engagement strategies to amplify the voice of Commonwealth universities.
- Company: Join a diverse international network making a real impact in higher education and development.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days leave, generous pension, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of our mission.
- Why this job: Make a difference in global education while working flexibly in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic communications and member engagement at a senior level.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Hybrid - London WC1H - we operate hybrid, flexible working practices with 20% of your time per month being office based.
Join the ACU as Head of Communications and Engagement and use your expertise and experience to help us in our mission to be the voice of Commonwealth universities, supporting them to collaborate and to advance their contribution to sustainable development. Working at the intersection of higher education and international development, The ACU offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference. We are one of the largest, most diverse international university networks, bringing together over 400 members in more than 40 countries, and our official role within the Commonwealth and United Nations affords an impactful platform for advocacy and strategic partnerships.
The Head of Communications and Engagement leads ACU's external voice and its member engagement function, ensuring that our member universities experience ACU as a present, credible and valuable partner. This role is the primary custodian of how ACU communicates with the world and how relationships with members, stakeholders and partners are built, maintained and deepened.
You will develop and lead an integrated communications and engagement strategy, ensuring all activity is strategically aligned, well-coordinated and delivered with maximum impact. Working closely with the Director, you will provide leadership in shaping the external affairs of the ACU, finding new and creative ways to communicate ACU's work and impact, strengthen our position with key audiences and platform our advocacy messages within the sector and with key decision makers including at major multilateral forums. You will oversee marketing efforts to drive participation with our member opportunities and for our managed programmes and will be responsible for contract fulfilment for a range of external clients. You will also lead on internal communications in support of our people and culture agenda.
Working with the Head of Membership and Events and Head of Policy and Research, you will be jointly responsible for the membership strategy, leading an international engagement team to ensure that our offer is visible to members, and our diverse and geographically dispersed network feel engaged and see the value of membership.
We are looking for an experienced senior leader who can bring a strategic and an integrated approach to communications and engagement, enjoys working in a collaborative international environment and who will foster creativity and innovation to deliver maximum impact.
- Bring a track record of leading integrated communications strategies in complex contexts, alongside experience of membership engagement or institutional relationship management at a senior level.
- Have worked at senior level in marketing or communications, be skilled in devising and implementing successful communication strategies and plans, audience segmentation, content creation, delivery and the use of the various channels for effectiveness.
- Be comfortable holding the strategic and the relational in equal measure, and understand that in a membership organisation, communications and engagement are two sides of the same endeavour.
- Be a strategic thinker, know how to use data and insight to direct a team's activity, and understand how to design an engagement model that utilises personalised account management and varied communications channels to reach diverse audience segments with targeted messages.
- Be comfortable leading a small, dispersed team- including a network of regional engagement leads across ACU's core geographies - setting strategic direction and supporting consistent standards and autonomous delivery.
- Be energised rather than daunted by breadth: moving between brand strategy and member retention, hands-on delivery and team leadership.
We see equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our mission and we value the many different perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our collective performance. We believe in investing in all our people and creating cultures in which everyone can thrive.
We offer a fantastic package of benefits including:
- 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays (pro rata - part-time employees) and 4 Christmas closure days.
- Generous pension scheme – 5% employee contribution, 10% employer contribution.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave.
- Significant investment into your personal and professional development.
- Regular social activities.
- Health and wellbeing programmes.
- Give as you earn charitable donations scheme.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Interest-free travel season ticket loan.
Apply via the apply button which will redirect you to our recruitment portal. Closing date: 27th August pm. Interviews will take place on 7th September 2026. First stage interviews will take place virtually. A second stage will be conducted in-person at our London office in the week commencing 14/09/2026.
Head of Communications and Engagement in London employer: ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES
The ACU is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead communications and engagement within a diverse international network of over 400 universities. With a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, we foster a collaborative work culture that values creativity and innovation, while providing generous benefits such as 27 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and significant investment in personal and professional development. Located in London, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, ensuring that employees can thrive both in the office and remotely.
Contact Details:
ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Communications and Engagement in London
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Communications and Engagement in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
