Director of Communications, DET UK

Our mission at Duolingo is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. 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.

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.

You will:

• 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.

Duolingo is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, colour, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.