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- Tasks: Lead communications for six creative colleges, shaping impactful narratives and engaging diverse audiences.
- Company: Join University of the Arts London, a global leader in creative education.
- Benefits: Flexible working, inclusive policies, and supportive staff networks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in creative education and strengthen community connections.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in communications strategy and team leadership required.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The opportunity Join University of the Arts London (UAL) at an exciting point in our journey as we continue to strengthen our position as a global leader in creative education. As Associate Director of Communications (Colleges), you will play a critical role in shaping how our six Colleges connect with staff, students and external audiences. Leading the College Communications teams within an integrated University Communications function, you will harness the distinctive strengths of each College to deliver a clear, compelling and coordinated narrative that supports institutional priorities and culture change.
You will work closely with College Provosts, Executive Boards and senior colleagues across UAL to translate strategic priorities into impactful communications that build engagement, trust and pride across our community. This is a leadership role working with the Communications Director to combine strategic vision with operational delivery. You will drive integrated campaigns, strengthen communications infrastructure and ensure that College activity reinforces the wider UAL brand and communications strategy. Your work will help demonstrate the value of creative education, amplify our research and strengthen our role within London’s communities and the global creative sector.
About you You will bring significant senior level experience of advising executive leaders on communications strategy, reputation management and complex issues. You will have a strong track record of delivering insight led communication campaigns that achieve measurable impact across diverse audiences. A confident and credible leader, you will be experienced in building and motivating high performing teams within matrix environments and in driving collaboration across organisational boundaries. You will combine strategic thinking with strong delivery focus, able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining clarity of vision. You will be an excellent communicator who is comfortable offering constructive challenge and navigating sensitive issues with professionalism and judgement. Your approach will be creative, evidence based and inclusive, with a strong commitment to improving engagement and the student experience through effective communication.
If this sounds like you and you are looking for your next challenge, we would love for you to apply. We are UAL University of the Arts London (UAL) – ranked second in the world among Art and Design universities – is formed of six colleges on sites across London with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet.
London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures. UAL has been a single organisation since 1988, but our world-leading colleges have always retained their own brand, identity and previously had separate Communications teams. In January 2025 we moved to an integrated Communications department that spans the university with a shared strategy, shared specialist audience and channel teams that act as centres of excellence, local communications teams embedded in the colleges and matrix working. You will be responsible for developing the college communications function in a way that resonates with local audience needs, responds to the distinct college communities, aligns with the shared communications strategy and is delivered in an integrated way with our shared specialist teams.
Closing date: 7th April 2026, 23:55. For further details and to apply please click the apply button.
Our culture UAL is committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments for all staff and students to work and learn – a university where we can be ourselves and reach our full potential. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and Staff Support Networks. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including race, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, and caring responsibility.
Associate Director of Communications (Colleges) employer: UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON
Contact Detail:
UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director of Communications (Colleges)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to UAL. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website that highlights your past communication campaigns and leadership experiences. This is your chance to visually demonstrate how you can shape narratives and engage audiences effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching UAL’s current communications strategies and challenges. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you’ve driven successful campaigns in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining UAL and contributing to its mission of creative education.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director of Communications (Colleges)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Audience: Before you start writing, take a moment to think about who will be reading your application. Tailor your language and examples to resonate with the values and mission of UAL. Show us that you understand our commitment to creative education and community engagement.
Be Clear and Concise: We love a good story, but when it comes to applications, clarity is key! Make sure your points are straightforward and easy to follow. Use bullet points where necessary to break up text and highlight your achievements without overwhelming us with too much information.
Showcase Your Experience: This role is all about leadership and communication strategy, so don’t hold back! Share specific examples of your past successes in these areas. We want to see how you've made an impact in previous roles and how that experience can translate to UAL.
Check Your Details: Before hitting that submit button, give your application a thorough once-over. Typos and errors can distract from your message. Make sure everything is polished and professional – we’re looking for attention to detail as much as creativity!
How to prepare for a job interview at UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, take some time to research University of the Arts London and its six Colleges. Understand their unique identities and how they contribute to the overall mission. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in their specific needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Associate Director, you'll need to exhibit strong leadership qualities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or projects, especially in complex environments. Highlight how you motivated your team and drove collaboration across different departments.
✨Prepare Insight-Led Campaign Examples
Since the role involves delivering insight-led communication campaigns, come ready with specific examples of campaigns you've executed that achieved measurable impact. Be prepared to discuss the strategies you used, the challenges faced, and how you overcame them to achieve success.
✨Emphasise Your Communication Style
Effective communication is key in this role. Think about how you can convey your approach to communication, especially when navigating sensitive issues. Share instances where your communication style helped build trust and engagement within a community or organisation.