Head of Communications in Oxford

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Communications to join the Atlantic Institute based at the Rhodes Trust, Oxford. This role will ensure that the work and profile of Fellows and Programs are seen and heard, and that it helps define agendas, inform policy and contribute to systemic change.

The role is a member of the Atlantic Institute's leadership team, contributing to organisational culture and the successful delivery of the Institute's strategic priorities. Strong leadership and people management skills are essential, with the ability to lead, develop and motivate teams, build collaborative relationships and support colleagues through change. We are looking for the successful candidate to start with us as soon as possible.

This role will bring cohesion to all Institute communications, providing a clear narrative of impact and influence, and positioning the Atlantic Fellows community as a global space for thought leadership and values-based convening.

Role responsibilities:

• Detail and deliver a cohesive narrative of the Atlantic Fellows community.
• Provide strategic direction for institutional narratives, thought leadership priorities and audience engagement frameworks across the Atlantic Fellows community.
• Provide senior oversight of editorial standards, co-designing with Fellows and Programs a mechanism to determine how work is amplified in line with the strategic direction of the Institute.
• Ensure that all public-facing and internal content is aligned with the values of the Atlantic Institute, and serves a clear purpose to support the strategic direction.
• Contribute as an active member of the leadership team, shaping organisational strategy, priorities, and decision-making beyond the communications remit.
• Collaborate with the Director of Lifelong Fellowship to support delivery of program priorities for the global Atlantic Fellows community.
• Ensure regular communications to Fellows, Programs staff and Institute staff as well as Atlantic Institute Governing Board, Global Fellows Advisory Group and others are clear, timely and in line with the Institute’s communications protocol.
• Develop, deliver, evaluate and refresh communications approaches for the Institute in consultation with the Executive Director.
• Lead the development of long-term institutional communications, reputation and stakeholder engagement strategies aligned with the Institute’s strategic priority.
• Provide visible, values-led leadership, role modelling collaboration, accountability, and inclusive ways of working across the Institute.

Essential skills, experience and qualifications:

• Significant experience leading communications across a diverse audience, including developing, delivering and evaluating communication strategy.
• Experience of building a brand profile and raising visibility of networks in the NGO sector.
• Media relations experience alongside knowledge of effective digital comms strategies and platforms.
• Attention to detail and high standards of communications content.
• Experience managing a team, with effective strategies for delegation, motivation and staff development.

Desirable skills and experience:

• Well networked within NGO or charity organisations, with an understanding of the challenges being faced by those advocating for systemic change for equity globally.
• Understanding of the sensitivities of operating as a UK charity in the equity space.

About us:

The Atlantic Institute is a partnership programme of the Rhodes Trust and was established in 2016 with the support of The Atlantic Philanthropies. The Atlantic Institute is part of an ecosystem of Atlantic Fellows Programs which was established with a shared mission: to empower catalytic communities of emerging leaders to advance fairer, healthier, more equitable societies.

We do this by providing Atlantic Fellows and Atlantic Fellows Program staff with the networks, architecture and resources to connect, learn and act to address the underlying systemic causes of inequity – locally and globally.

Benefits of working with us:

• 30 days annual leave (pro rata) plus 8 bank holidays.
• Competitive pension scheme.
• Generous family leave schemes.
• Private health insurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Personal development opportunities.
• Additional benefits, such as free access to the University's gardens, parks, libraries and museums, and University staff discounts in shops across Oxford.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Electric car scheme.

For further details such as the job and person specification, please view the job description. To apply, please click 'Apply for this role' in the top right hand corner of this page which will take you to the application form. Please send us your CV and a covering letter. Please note, this advert will close on 26 July 2026. Interviews are likely to take place w/c 3 August 2026.

If you have any issues with submitting your application, please email the Recruitment team.

The Rhodes Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We warmly welcome applications from talented people of diverse backgrounds and appoint without regard to age, disability, gender, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, parental status, marital or civil partner status, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, religion or belief.