Strategic Communications and Marketing Lead

1-year fixed term contract with the potential to become permanent. Strategic Agenda is a strategic consultancy for a developing world. We help clients in the international public sector, the non-profit world, and mission-driven organisations demonstrate impact, sustain investment, and reach a global audience — because good work does not speak for itself. We do this by bringing three things to every engagement: Insight, Craft, and Capability.

We're now looking for a visionary and dynamic Strategic Communications and Marketing Lead who has honed their craft in a fast-paced agency environment, has a track record of taking campaigns from a blank page through to measurable impact, and has the confidence to bring bold ideas into the room — with clients, colleagues, and senior stakeholders alike.

So what will you be doing?

You will develop strategic, creative and audience-centred communications that help people think differently, deepen their connection with us and help our clients to successfully report their impact. Drawing on audience insight and marketing expertise, you will use messaging, storytelling and creative tactics to build relevance and emotional resonance with key audiences in a complex, crowded landscape. You’ll work with our inhouse teams, including writers, editors, translators and designers, but you will own the full campaign lifecycle.

What we need from you

• Insight — the strategic thinking that shapes the message. You think in outcomes, not deliverables — you ask "what are you trying to achieve?" before "what do you need us to produce?"
• Entrepreneurial — you understand the commercial side of comms and are ambitious about growing this side of our business. A passion for international relations, development, and global media landscapes.
• Proficiency in using web and social media analytics, with an eye for spotting interesting stories or opportunities and quickly turning them into engaging content.
• Craft — the creativity that enables the outcome. Agency background — you've worked in a comms or marketing agency and understand what it takes to deliver for demanding clients at pace.
• A portfolio you're proud of — you can show us campaigns you've personally designed and run from concept through to completion, along with the results they achieved.
• Creativity in abundance — with budgets being slashed, you come to the table full of ideas and can help clients do more with less.
• At least 4 years of experience in strategic communications, sales and marketing, or media relations, with a proven track record of landing campaigns.
• Brilliant English written and verbal communication skills.
• Capability — helping clients sustain the work. The confidence to present and defend your ideas — to management, colleagues, and clients — and to hold the room when it counts.
• A genuine people person — relationship-building will be key in an AI-first world. You're a trusted advisor to clients, and both an excellent team player and team lead.
• Strong project and collaboration skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organisational skills.

Nice to have

• Experience in the not-for-profit/NGO/development sector, or a strong desire to work in this sector and a clear understanding of its challenges.
• Agency experience working with senior decision makers in Government or the private sector.
• Media planning/buying experience.
• Social media management.

How to apply

Alongside your CV, please share examples or a short portfolio of campaigns you have designed and led from start to finish — we'd love to see your ideas and the impact they had. After all, good work does not speak for itself. You can send your application to gerald@strategicagenda.com

Salary and benefits £40,000–£50,000 per annum, plus a range of benefits including:

• Training support
• 30 days holiday
• Free yoga in the building
• Health cash plan
• Hybrid working (at least 4 days in the office)