Deputy Head of Communications (Policy, Development and Corporate)

The British Academy

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

British Academy is the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, culture, and societies.

With a Fellowship of around 1,700 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas; engages the public with fresh thinking and debates; and brings together scholars, government, business, and civil society to influence policy. The Academy currently has five directorates: Communications & Marketing; Development; Policy; Research; and Resources, plus a small Governance & Fellowship Team.

About the role

The Deputy Head of Communications (Policy, Development and Corporate) plays a central role in extending and enhancing the influence of the Academy with key external audiences. You’ll be leading a small team to devise and deliver communications that meet the needs of our policy, corporate and development audiences and lead to tangible outcomes. Priority projects in 2027 include coordinating delivery of our 125th anniversary campaign and launching our new strategic plan.

We’re looking for an experienced strategic communications professional who enjoys bringing colleagues together across different teams to align on a shared goal. You will be comfortable working in complex environments, turning competing priorities and differing perspectives into clear plans and effective action.

You will be able to build relationships with and influence colleagues at all levels, as well as lead and develop a high-performing team. Alongside a strong track record of developing and delivering integrated communications strategies, you will bring the judgement, credibility and collaborative approach needed to help the Academy achieve its ambitions.

Our senior management team has worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning & development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success, as we move forward and continue to grow.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management:

• Line management of a Strategic Communications and Production Manager
• Oversee the development and delivery of integrated communication plans targeting policy, corporate and fundraising audiences
• Deputise for the Head of Communications and Marketing as appropriate.
• Role model organisational values and be a leader for positive change
• Ensure team outputs are delivered to a high standard and that the team is clear on priorities and the quality levels that are expected for their work.

Strategic Communications:

• Working with the Head of Communications and Marketing and key colleagues across the Academy, develop and deliver integrated communication plans and strategies for major Academy projects and campaigns to achieve maximum impact with the audience.
• Support the team to schedule, plan and coordinate communication outputs, assets and content, ensuring there is sufficient time to plan, design and publish outputs to meet project objectives.
• Work with the Head of Communications and Marketing and Deputy Head of Communications (Fellowship and the Academic Community) to get a deep understanding of our audiences and how to reach and engage them with our communications content.
• Be a champion for communications best practice, ensuring accessibility, adherence to the Academy style guide, excellent copywriting and editing, and project management.
• Oversee the regular publication of the Academy’s email newsletters for the policy, development and corporate audiences
• Alongside the Deputy Head of Communications (Fellowship and Academic Community), play a central role in managing relevant communications channels and monitoring performance of both channels and outputs in line with Communications and Marketing Team objectives
• Working with the Deputy Head of Communications (Fellowship and the Academic Community) and the Marketing Manager, design and deliver training and onboarding of Academy staff in the digital and brand processes, including the website and style guide.
• Working with the Head of Communications and Marketing and Head of Media and Public Affairs, be responsible for overseeing the overall “communications grid” and scheduling to ensure stories are launching at the right time, spaced appropriately, given sufficient capacity, and have appropriate lead-in times

Content and Asset Production and Management:

• Oversee the commissioning and production of written content, audio and video following the team’s processes to ensure copyright and legal safeguards are in place for content publication.
• Oversee the production of high-quality, accessible videos and podcasts to support our policy, fundraising and corporate communications.
• Oversee the development and publication of policy assets, fundraising materials and corporate documents such as the annual report.
• Ensure the team works effectively with our in-house designer and external consultants to manage the production of a range of communications assets.
• Own and manage the relationship with external content production agencies as needed
• Report on the performance of all content, comparing reach and engagement and using insights and trends to optimise subsequent publications.
• Work with the Deputy Head of Communications (Fellowship and the Academic Community) to manage the team’s budgets for asset and content production, and digital tools.

Digital Strategy and Development:

• With the support of the Head of Communications and Marketing and working alongside the Deputy Head of Communications (Fellowship and the Academic Community) develop and oversee the Academy’s web and digital strategy
• Working with our web agency, ensure the website is being used to the best effect to meet the Academy’s needs.
• Use available data and analytics to report on the performance of our digital communications channels.

Internal:

• Development and Fellowship Directorate; Policy Directorate; SMT; Media and Public Affairs

External:

• Fellows of the British Academy; Policy professionals, including communications counterparts; Trusts and Foundations and corporate supporters; Development stakeholders

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Knowledge & Skills:

• Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills
• Experience of working collaboratively to develop and deliver impactful communications plans and campaigns
• Experience overseeing complex and multi-faceted communications projects
• Experience of digital communications, content strategy, digital design, accessibility, UX, usability and SEO
• Experience of producing effective content for different platforms, including web, email newsletters, podcast, YouTube and social media (including LinkedIn, Instagram and Bluesky).
• Experience of moderating and managing social networking accounts
• Experience of working with a CMS
• Experience of using CRM systems to support digital marketing and mailings.
• Extensive experience of proofreading, copywriting and editing
• Familiarity with audio editing and streaming tools and online video publishing
• Strong understanding of Analytics platforms - particularly Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, and in-platform email marketing and social media analytics – and how to use this data to drive performance.

Working Relationships:

• Proven experience of forming and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Positive attitude to challenges, collaboration and negotiation with colleagues.
• A professional and confident approach when dealing with a variety of people and work styles
• Interpersonal and team working skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely communicate aims, creative approach, priorities and concerns
• Tact and discretion
• A persuasive and confident communicator

Proactivity & Planning:

• Manages time and resources effectively to achieve own and organisational objectives
• Ability to present innovative ideas to optimise our communications plans
• Knowledge of the university, research, and academic sector
• Knowledge of policy audiences, current affairs and the political landscape
• Knowledge of the current digital landscape and emerging trends

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach
• Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach
• Understands how and when to involve more senior colleagues in decision-making
• Able to prioritise effectively and delegate when appropriate

Leadership

• Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions 
• Proven experience of managing and motivating high-performing teams
• Experience of producing and managing communications assets and digital content for a range of different audiences on behalf of a high-profile organisation.
• Confident, open-minded, flexible and enthusiastic outlook
• Comfortable advising senior colleagues
• Model drive and enthusiasm for the Academy’s mission, focusing on achieving great work.

Required Qualifications

• Educated to bachelor’s degree level, qualified by experience, or equivalent

Compensation & Benefits

• 34 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays; a subsidised canteen and an excellent occupational pension.

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• To apply, please submit your CV and complete the application questions.
• We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform.
• Applications will be assessed in two stages. We will first review and shortlist candidates based on their CVs. Following this, the application questions of shortlisted candidates will be reviewed and scored to determine who progresses to the next stage of the recruitment process.
• This will be followed by a panel interview and may involve a task component.
• Please note that we use AI screening software to identify responses that have been copied from AI sources and are not your own work. We are interested in your reasoning and judgement, and the application questions have been set to explore these. You may use AI tools to help you with your application, but answers that appear generic or formulaic are unlikely to score highly.
• The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on 30th October 2026; however, we may close this role sooner if we receive a high volume of applications. In these circumstances, we will give those who have shown interest 24 hours' notice of the change of deadline.

Interviews

• The interviews are on 11th/12th November 2026 (may be subject to change)

Policies

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, in line with our commitment to create a diverse and inclusive working environment, promote equal opportunity, and address under-representation. We will make reasonable adjustments to support disabled job applicants and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria.

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