Corporate Communications Manager in London

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships. We plan to spend £16bn over the next ten years, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

We are looking for a Corporate Communications Manager to join Wellcome Trust’s Brand and Corporate Communications team.

Where in Wellcome will I be working?

You will work within the Communications function, part of Wellcome’s Corporate Affairs directorate reporting to the Brand and Corporate Communications Lead. You will work closely with colleagues across News and Content and more broadly interfacing with senior leaders including Wellcome’s executive committee and chair.

What will I be doing?

This role will be responsible for developing, planning and delivering strategic corporate communications that effectively communicate Wellcome’s work building a healthier future for everyone globally, while supporting the Brand and Corporate Communications Lead to anticipate risks, shape organisational responses regarding issues of operational and reputational significance. This is a varied role including developing high-quality news and content ideas and products that help external audiences understand Wellcome’s role and impact, communicating major organisational priorities, developing thought leadership plans and products in support of Wellcome’s Executive Committee and Chair and working closely with Wellcome’s Investments team to articulate how their work contributes to our mission.

As a corporate communications manager, you will:

• Shape the development and delivery of integrated corporate communications strategies that support organisational priorities.
• Provide strategic communications planning and execution of high-quality news and content products in support of Executive Committee members surrounding key announcements and events.
• Manage corporate issues and emerging risks, ensuring timely, accurate and strategic responses that protect and enhance the organisation’s reputation.
• Work closely with policy and partnerships teams to develop leadership briefings, reactive statements, Q&As, lines to take, speeches and presentations.
• Strengthen the organisation’s corporate narrative and ensure consistent messaging across all channels, working closely with colleagues across communications, policy, People, strategy and operations.
• Work in partnership with Policy and Partnerships, Events teams and Executives' offices to support global political events, conferences and speeches.
• Monitor corporate communications channels and external commentary, identifying issues of strategic or reputational importance and advising on appropriate responses.

Is this job for me?

This role is ideal for an experienced corporate communications professional with strong influencing and negotiating skills, able to build trust and credibility with senior leaders and colleagues. You will succeed in this role if you are:

• Confident advising on complex strategic and reputational issues, with sound judgement and a calm, solutions-focused approach.
• Able to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• A creative and strategic thinker, able to develop new approaches to organisational communication challenges.
• Good at understanding organisational dynamics, governance and the role of executive leadership.
• Flexible and adaptable, able to work outside normal business hours when and travel with notice.

To apply for this role please submit an updated CV and answer 2 application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Minimum Criteria:

• Several years experience working in corporate communications, media relations or public affairs.
• Experience developing and delivering corporate communications strategies, including leadership communications and reputation management.
• Demonstrated ability influencing and advising senior leaders on sensitive, high-profile or strategically important issues.
• Able to demonstrate experience preparing senior leaders for external engagements, including speeches, presentations, media moments or stakeholder meetings.
• Comfortable working at pace to deliver, with the ability to work autonomously to produce high-quality communications materials.
• Strong writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.

Our Hybrid Way of Working

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best. At Wellcome we have a hybrid way of working which is 3 days in our Euston Road offices (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) with the remaining 2 days working either remotely or in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do

Diversity and Inclusion is a priority at Wellcome. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition.