Associate Director of Marketing and Communications

Stroke Association

About the Organisation

Stroke Association is the UK’s leading charity providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. We provide tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year. This support includes one-to-one and group support, funding vital scientific research into stroke prevention, acute treatment, recovery, and long-term care, and campaigning to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke. 

We’re here for stroke survivors and their loved ones, from the moment they enter the new and frightening post-stroke world, supporting them every step of the way as they find their strength and their way back to life. It’s only thanks to the generosity of our supporters and donors that we can provide vital support.

Stroke Association is driven by our ambition to improve the lives of everyone affected by stroke. This means we’re determined to create an equitable and inclusive workplace that benefits from the differences and thrives on the diversity of our people. Guided by our approach to solving inequity in stroke, we are prioritising listening to and learning from lived experience across our charity.

About the role

Stroke Association is delighted to partner with The Talent Set on a fantastic Associate Director of Marketing & Communications role. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Giving, Volunteering and Voice, this role will lead the talented Marketing and Communications team and play a critical role in shaping how the charity engages with stroke survivors, supporters, partners, policymakers, and the wider public. Working closely with Executive Directors and teams across the organisation, you will develop and deliver an integrated marketing and communications strategy that advances our organisational goals and strengthens impact.

As the Stroke Association builds a more agile and collaborative culture, multidisciplinary teams are embracing test-and-learn approaches, using insight and evidence to focus efforts where they can make the greatest difference. We’re looking for an exceptional leader who combines strategic vision with creativity, influence, and collaboration. Someone who can inspire and develop a high-performing team, champion the value of marketing and communications across the organisation, and help the charity reach more people affected by stroke than ever before.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure a coherent and compelling marketing, communications, and brand strategy that strengthens the charity's profile, supports organisational priorities, and builds public understanding of stroke and its impact.
• Drive insight, evidence, and learning to inform decision-making, enabling the continuous evolution of marketing and communications approaches, channels, and activities.
• Create the conditions for marketing and communications to operate as a strategic partner across the organisation, supporting the delivery of fundraising, influencing, research, and stroke support priorities.
• Champion a co-creation approach, building meaningful partnerships with colleagues, stroke survivors, volunteers, supporters, and external stakeholders to shape communications, campaigns, and organisational priorities
• Embed an audience-led approach that enables meaningful engagement, broadens reach, and deepens connection with diverse communities.
• Ensure the voices and experiences of stroke survivors, carers, and communities are authentically represented and embedded within the charity's communications, campaigns, and brand narrative.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Person Specification:

• Proven experience in developing and delivering organisation-wide communications and marketing strategies that support organisational objectives and drive measurable impact.
• Experience in leading and developing high-performing multidisciplinary teams, creating an inclusive, empowering, and values-led culture.
• Demonstrable experience of building and protecting organisational reputation, including managing complex communications, sensitive issues, and reputational risk.
• Experience of working collaboratively with senior leaders to shape organisational priorities and influence decision-making.
• Experience in developing compelling audience-led communications, campaigns, and engagement approaches across multiple channels.
• Experience of working with lived experience, service users, beneficiaries, or communities to shape communications, campaigns, and organisational activity.
• Experience in managing significant budgets, resources, and external agency relationships.
• Experience in supporting organisational influencing, campaigning, and policy objectives.
• Experience in leading communications through organisational change, transformation, and periods of significant growth.

Working locations

• Home-based
• National travel in the UK as required, including some overnight stays

How to apply

• To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by online (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Policies

The Talent Set is committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

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