At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead brand strategy and develop compelling narratives for UK Research and Innovation.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at UKRI, shaping the future of research and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working available, fostering a great work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing UKRI's brand and engaging diverse audiences.
- Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience with strong writing and project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 58589 - 58589 £ per year.
- Description
- UKRI
Salary
Band
UKRI Band F.
Contract Type
Fixed Term (12 months) (Parental leave cover).
Hours
Full-time / Part-time (Minimum 0.8 FTE).
Location
Polaris House, Swindon - Hybrid working available (Minimum 2 days per week in office).
Closing Date
Monday 31st August 2026.
Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the
Recruitment Policy and associated guidance for further information in the first instance.
If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your line manager and the designated HR team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.
About the role
To build understanding of, engagement with, and trust in UK Research and Innovation and its activities and interests, both externally and with all employees, through brand and narrative development, positioning and implementation.
- Your responsibilities
- Key accountabilities
- Lead on UKRI brand strategy and governance across the organisation.
- Lead on development of UKRI narrative and messaging for implementation across the organisation .
- Support the development of UKRI campaigns, ensuring amplification of UKRI brand, narrative and messaging.
- Corporate responsibilities
- Responsible for the overall image, growth and development of the UKRI brand, ensuring it remains relevant to and recognised by our audiences and maintaining consistency across all communications channels.
- Responsible for the development and management of UKRI narrative and additional tools for colleagues, including message house, rolling script and comment bank.
- Support the development and implementation of UKRI’s external affairs and communications strategy.
- Role responsibilities
- Develop and implement brand strategies, positioning and messaging that align with the organisation’s vision and objectives.
- Manage internal and external partner relationships around brand, using evidence and best practice to negotiate, influence and defend decision making in support of building the UKRI brand and sub brands.
- Identify target audiences and tailor the brand strategy and messaging to reach the audience effectively.
- Support the creation and implementation of campaigns to ensure consistency in messaging and alignment with the brand voice, values and goals
- Work with the communications lead, audience and insight to undertake audience insight and research to keep up to date with the latest trends to inform brand strategy.
- Collaborate with other internal teams to ensure brand messaging is consistent and is being communicated effectively across all channels.
- Work with communications lead, evaluation to measure and report on performance of campaigns to assess the effectiveness of overall brand performance and using insights from data to adjust strategies and optimise them for the future.
- Oversee brand and visual identity guidelines, ensuring these are up-to-date and accessible.
- Lead on development of UKRI narrative, rolling script and messaging to reinforce brand positioning.
- Lead on development and management of CEO messaging guide and UKRI comment bank.
- Ownership and governance of communications messaging for UKRI, including review of existing messaging.
- Work with Head of strategic communications and planning to develop and implement UKRI’s external affairs and communications strategy.
- Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential
- Qualifications Degree or equivalent experience (S).
- Proven ability to write compelling narratives and coherent messaging across complex content and for multiple audiences (S&I).
- Strong experience and proven track record of brand development and management across a complex organisation (S&I).
- Strong experience of utilising multiple and integrated channels and an understanding of multichannel communication approaches in relation to brand (S&I).
- Excellent writing skills (S&I).
- Excellent project management skills (S&I).
- Demonstrated credibility with relevant communities, usually based on experience from government, industry, education or the third sector (I).
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams, councils and communities (S&I).
- Demonstrable emotional intelligence and tolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty (S&I).
- Resilience, multi-tasking and ability to work to deadlines (S&I).
- Ability to absorb, evaluate and communicate complex information appropriate to the audience (I).
- Ability to influence, persuade and negotiate (S&I).
- Strategic thinking (I).
- Flexibility to adapt to change (I).
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package.
We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A list of benefits below
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
Plus, many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For further information on our benefits please see
Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri. org
Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us.
UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager.
For more information, please visit https://www. gov. uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri. org.
Strategic communications lead- Narrative and Brand in Swindon employer: UKRI
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic communications lead- Narrative and Brand in Swindon
✨Show Your Creative Side
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We think you need these skills to ace Strategic communications lead- Narrative and Brand in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit UKRI. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
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How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
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As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
