At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead communications for the Duolingo English Test, crafting impactful narratives for diverse audiences.
- Company: Join Duolingo, a mission-driven company transforming global education.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work options, and a focus on your well-being.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and innovation in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while collaborating with top minds in the industry.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in communications, exceptional writing skills, and experience in tech or education sectors.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Our mission at Duolingo is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. It’s a big mission, and that’s where you come in! At Duolingo, you’ll join a team that cares about educating our users, experimenting with big ideas, making fact-based decisions, and finding innovative solutions to complex problems. You’ll have limitless learning opportunities and daily collaborations with world-class minds — while doing work that’s both meaningful and fun. Join our life-changing mission to develop education for our half a billion (and growing!) learners around the world.
We’re looking for a Director, UK DET Comms Lead to own the narrative, positioning, and integrated communications for the Duolingo English Test (DET) in the UK. You will localize the global DET strategy for UK audiences, translate product and policy updates into clear, credible stories for universities, employers, regulators, and learners, and build repeatable programs that drive awareness, trust, and adoption across the UK market. This role sits within Global Communications and partners closely with the DET business, Product, Policy/Legal, Marketing, Data, and regional PR leads to ensure messages are consistent, evidence‑based, and measurable, while advancing UK‑specific goals.
- Define and own the UK market communications strategy and annual priorities for DET across audiences (admissions decision‑makers, employers, regulators, educators, and learners), aligning with DET business goals and regional needs.
- Build an always‑on UK story pipeline that translates product improvements, efficacy data, access/affordability proof points, and policy updates into credible narratives and media moments that reinforce trust and category leadership.
- Lead integrated announcement planning for UK‑relevant DET updates (product, research, partnerships, policy), including message architecture, FAQs, spokesperson prep, and toolkits for local adaptation and amplification.
- Establish standards, templates, and operating rhythms with cross‑functional partners (Product, Policy/Legal, Marketing, Data, regional PR) so DET communications are timely, accurate, and consistent across UK channels.
- Prepare executives and DET spokespeople for high‑visibility UK opportunities with talking points, data‑backed proof, and clear briefings; coach for clarity and credibility.
- Create simple measurement for UK comms effectiveness, tracking narrative penetration, share of voice, sentiment among priority audiences, and signals tied to consideration and adoption—then use insights to optimize programs.
- Anticipate UK‑specific issues and coordinate with Comms, Legal/Policy, and DET leadership on proactive guidance and disciplined responses that protect brand trust and regulatory confidence.
- Partner with regional PR teams to adapt core DET narratives for the UK and collaborate on opportunities that support institutional adoption and credibility.
✅ You have...
- 10+ years in communications with significant experience in product, corporate, or policy communications for a tech or education company; UK or multi‑market responsibility preferred.
- A track record building or transforming communications systems and standards at scale, with clear measurement of impact on trust, consideration, or adoption.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills; you distill complex concepts (assessment, AI, validity, policy) into clear, concise messages and toolkits for multiple audiences and channels.
- Experience planning and executing integrated announcement moments with cross‑functional partners (Product, Legal/Policy, Marketing, Data), including executive/spokesperson preparation.
- High judgment and issue management skills in sensitive or regulated contexts; comfortable coordinating rapid, accurate updates across stakeholders.
- Operational excellence: adept at standing up workflows, calendars, templates, and feedback loops that increase clarity and speed across teams.
- Ability to work from or relocate to London, UK.
⭐ Exceptional candidates will have...
- Demonstrated success shaping category understanding and trust through evidence‑based storytelling (e.g., efficacy, access, affordability) in education or assessment.
- Experience partnering with policy, legal, and research teams to communicate changes to standards, security, or compliance with clarity and credibility.
- Background preparing founders or senior executives for high‑visibility moments tied to product or policy narratives.
- Experience building comms metrics frameworks tied to trust and consideration signals across priority audiences and markets.
- Familiarity working with regional PR models, enabling locally resonant storytelling while maintaining global message consistency.
Director of Communications, DET UK employer: Duolingo, Inc.
At Duolingo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As the Director of Communications for the UK DET, you will have the opportunity to shape impactful narratives while working alongside world-class professionals in a mission-driven environment. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, diverse perspectives, and holistic well-being, Duolingo is committed to providing meaningful and rewarding employment in the heart of London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Communications, DET UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want you to be able to speak confidently about how your skills align with their mission. Practice common interview questions and have your own questions ready to show your interest!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your personality! During interviews, let your passion for education and communication shine through. We believe that being genuine can set you apart from other candidates, so don’t be afraid to share your story and experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We recommend mentioning something specific from your conversation to remind them why you’re a great fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Communications, DET UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director of Communications role. Highlight your experience in communications, especially in tech or education, and show how it aligns with Duolingo's mission. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Writing Skills:Since this role requires exceptional writing and editing skills, include examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to distill complex concepts into clear messages. We love seeing how you can communicate effectively across different audiences!
Highlight Collaborative Experience:This position involves working closely with various teams, so be sure to mention any past experiences where you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional partners. We’re all about teamwork here at Duolingo, and we want to know how you can contribute to that spirit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission!
How to prepare for a job interview at Duolingo, Inc.
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, dive deep into Duolingo's mission to make education universally available. Understand how the Director of Communications role aligns with this mission and be ready to discuss how your experience can contribute to it.
✨Craft Your Narrative
Prepare to articulate your past experiences in communications, especially in tech or education. Think about specific examples where you've transformed communication strategies or built trust through storytelling, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarise with the Product
Get to know the Duolingo English Test inside out. Be prepared to discuss how you would localise global strategies for UK audiences and create compelling narratives that highlight product improvements and efficacy data.
✨Showcase Collaboration Skills
This role requires working closely with various teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional partners in the past, particularly in planning integrated announcements or preparing executives for high-visibility moments.
