Frontier tech/ Science Communications Consultant

We are looking for a communications adviser to join our London team who has expertise in frontier tech and innovative science storytelling. This role is designed for people who can bring about 4-7 years relevant experience with a proven track record of translating complex information into compelling narratives for a range of audiences and who are ready to drive exciting work for the most interesting emerging technology companies in the UK.

THE CONSULTANT ROLE

Consultants are the driving force behind our work. They are trusted advisors who are able to shift the reputation of our clients, in line with agreed strategy and priorities. They apply their knowledge and insights to commercial challenges, and will help Milltown Partners continue to innovate in the space of frontier tech and science communications. They drive work across the whole team in a way that makes the most of everyone’s skills and experience, supporting more junior colleagues to develop and deputising for Directors and Partners when required. A successful candidate in this role will have the ambition, expertise and network that enables them to provide specialist communications advice to our growing frontier tech and science client base across the UK and Europe.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANT ROLE

• Communications strategy: drawing on deep knowledge of channels and audiences to identify how best to position clients and tell their story.
• Working with client team leads to set the strategy and priorities for client work.
• Creating integrated communications plans to guide the execution of the agreed strategy.
• Applying an understanding of how to deliver client objectives using strategies and tactics to reach target audiences on appropriate channels.
• Designing and interrogating client asks and designing research briefs to ensure that all advice is underpinned by insights.
• Tailoring the style and content of advice to meet the needs and expectations of individual clients.
• Confidently and transparently discussing AI-enhanced work with clients and explaining value-add.
• Going above and beyond the brief to suggest the most creative solutions.
• Advising: earning the trust of a variety of clients and providing recommendations that are understood and accepted.
• Advising in a variety of formats (written or verbal) and choosing the most effective format for the client, at the right time.
• Producing compelling written content and driving the execution of significant communications moments for clients (e.g. media briefings, speeches, owned channels and events).
• Reading a wide breadth of materials, from government consultations to research papers and broader news to understand the issues clients are facing in order to inform our advice.
• Using research and AI tools (including Factiva, Meltwater, Claude and Gemini) to conduct insight generation, support complex deliverables and enable innovation.
• Drawing on a deep knowledge of audiences and channels to identify how best to position clients and achieve their communications goals.
• People Management: supporting the wellbeing of the team and encouraging everyone to perform, learn and develop.
• Developing project plans for client teams and ensuring work is delivered in a timely and high quality manner.
• Managing the work of junior colleagues, and supporting their professional development through coaching and mentoring.
• Encouraging continuous learning and development, including the delegation of tasks and the provision of constructive feedback.
• Contributing to the business: applying knowledge of how the firm and clients generate revenue to improve the quality of our advice and analysis.
• Applying knowledge of the commercial context in which clients operate to ensure our advice furthers their business objectives.
• Understanding how Milltown operates as a business (e.g. team profitability) and beginning to contribute to internal projects.
• Demonstrating restlessness about spotting growth and development opportunities for the business (e.g. finding new ways to help clients, ways to run teams efficiently or share knowledge internally).
• Using personal interests and/or former experience to contribute to the continued growth of the business, both potential new business opportunities and development opportunities for the team.
• Experimenting with, and implementing AI-powered workflows that improve team efficiency and can be shared more widely.
• Contributing to a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Giving and receiving regular feedback to individuals at all levels in the firm.
• Actively seeking input or assistance from others and reflecting their contributions in the work.
• Demonstrating allyship to all colleagues.
• Supporting the wellbeing of everyone on the team.

Must-have skills and experience

• Excellent command of written and verbal English language.
• At least 4 years of communications advisory experience with a focus on frontier tech and/or science companies and issues - ideally in consultancy, Government, or within a technology company or research organisation.
• Experience communicating complex, technical scientific concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrable ability to take a strategic approach to assessing communications challenges and opportunities.
• Understanding of different audiences and channels that resonate with stakeholders.