Director of Communications and External Affairs

Put Britain's best economic research where it can change the debate

National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR)

London (flexible working available)|Full-time, permanent|Circa £80,000

Reports to the Chief Operating Officer

NIESR is one of the UK's most respected independent economic research institutes - trusted by policymakers, journalists and business leaders for rigorous, evidence-led analysis. We're looking for a Director of Communications and External Affairs to make sure that expertise doesn't just get published, but gets heard.

This is a rare hybrid role: part strategist, part editor, part newsroom contact, part digital creator. You'll sit close to our researchers and our Director, spotting the story inside complex economics before anyone else does - then shaping it, pitching it, writing it and publishing it yourself. You will lead the function, but you won't be managing from a distance: you'll be the one on the phone to the FT, drafting the killer press line, and hitting publish on the post that gets picked up.

If you can translate a forecasting report into a headline, sharpen a chief economist's key message in one line, and you already know which journalists to call before the ink is dry - we want to talk to you.

What you'll be doing

• Setting the strategy - owning NIESR's communications and external affairs strategy, and advising the Director and Council of Management on positioning, messaging and reputational issues.
• Leading editorially - working with researchers from the earliest stages to sharpen titles, key messages, press lines and launch narratives, and finding the "so what?" in complex research.
• Driving media coverage - using your existing network of senior economics, financial and political journalists to generate proactive coverage, commentary and broadcast opportunities, not just respond to inbound requests.
• Going hands-on in digital - personally creating and publishing content across social and digital channels, and building a distinctive voice that expands NIESR's reach.
• Connecting profile to impact - working with events and the Director of Development to turn NIESR's audience and influence into partnerships, sponsorships and revenue.
• Building the function - establishing standards and priorities now, with a team to follow as the function grows.

What you'll bring

• Significant senior-level experience in communications, journalism, editorial or public affairs - ideally somewhere research-led, policy-focused or evidence-driven.
• A genuine, established network of senior economics and political journalists and editors.
• A track record of personally writing, editing and publishing high-quality content - not just directing others to do it.
• Exceptional editorial judgement: you can find the strongest argument in a dense piece of research and make it land.
• Real hands-on digital and social media experience, from strategy through to hitting publish.
• Confidence operating at senior leadership level, advising directors and boards on external positioning.
• Curiosity about economics and public policy, and the credibility to engage with researchers as a peer.

Experience in a think tank, university, financial institution or similar evidence-led organisation is a plus, as is a background in journalism or editorial leadership.

Why NIESR

You'll have genuine influence from day one - a seat close to NIESR's Director and senior researchers, and a direct line to shaping how the UK's economic debate is framed. It's a role built for someone who wants strategic ownership and the satisfaction of seeing their own words in print. We offer flexible working, a competitive salary reflecting the seniority of the role, and the chance to build a function in your own image as it grows.

Interviews to take place Mid-October

NIESR is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion, and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.