About us
UCL is London's global university. Since our founding in 1826, we have challenged convention and opened education to those previously excluded. Today, our diverse community of more than 50,000 students and 15,000 staff works across disciplines to address the world's most pressing challenges through research, education and public engagement.
The Vice-President External Engagement (VPEE) division brings together communications, marketing, public affairs and events to support UCL's reputation, influence and engagement with audiences locally and globally. Within this, the Strategic Communications team provides insight, planning and evaluation expertise that helps colleagues across the university deliver effective, audience-focused communications. Additionally the team delivers cross‑institutional campaigns and equip teams with frameworks to support coherent storytelling. The team also manage UCL's media partnerships and run a strategic communications network that promotes best practice and builds skills, insight and confidence across our community.
Our ambition is to enable a more strategic, evidence-led approach to communications - supporting colleagues to plan confidently, understand their audiences and demonstrate impact.
About the role
The Head of Strategic Communications plays a central leadership role within the Strategic Communications team, deputising for the Director of Strategic Communications and overseeing the team's strategic output and delivery.
You will ensure that communications activity is well planned, insight-driven and aligned with institutional priorities, supporting colleagues across UCL to deliver high-quality campaigns and engagement activity. Working closely with senior leaders across brand, marketing, internal communications, public affairs and events, you will help shape and embed a shared strategic approach to communications across a large and complex organisation.
The role combines strategic thinking with operational leadership. You will maintain oversight of the team's workplan, support the development of colleagues, and help remove barriers to delivery while fostering a collaborative and supportive team culture.
Key priorities include:
- Leading strategic planning and evaluation for major institutional initiatives, including flagship engagement campaigns
- Strengthening the use of audience insight, monitoring and evaluation to inform communications activity and demonstrate impact
- Developing frameworks, guidance and learning that build strategic communications capability across the UCL community
- Supporting the continued development of UCL's brand narrative and institutional storytelling
- Contributing to innovation and continuous improvement, including horizon scanning and the development of new approaches such as AI-enabled communications
- Working as part of the VPEE senior leadership community to take shared ownership of departmental priorities and outcomes
This is an opportunity to shape how strategic communications is practised across one of the world's leading universities.
Please note, this is a full-time role available on either a full-time basis or as a part-time job share basis. Please indicate on your application whether you would like to be considered on a full-time or job share basis. The role is offered on a hybrid-working basis and you will be based onsite at our Kings Cross office for a minimum of 1-2 days per week.
Job Ref: B23-00198
Closing Date: 01-05-2026 - 23:59 (UK time)
About you
You are an experienced communications professional with a strong track record of delivering strategic communications within complex organisations. You are comfortable working across organisational boundaries and building trusted relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
You bring sound judgement, curiosity and a collaborative approach, alongside the ability to balance strategic oversight with practical delivery. You are motivated by improving how communications works - helping teams plan effectively, use insight confidently and learn from evaluation. It's important that you bring a proactive, solutions-focused approach to leadership fostering a positive, collaborative culture within the team and across the wider communications community.
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Experience developing and delivering insight-led strategic communications or campaign planning
- Confidence managing complex stakeholder relationships and working within matrix environments
- Strong organisational and leadership skills, with experience supporting teams delivering multiple priorities
- A commitment to evidence-based practice, evaluation and continuous improvement
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to adapt style and messaging for different audiences
- A collegiate and inclusive approach to leadership, aligned with UCL's Ways of Working.
Above all, you will share UCL's commitment to collaboration, openness and using communications to support meaningful impact across our community and beyond.
Please apply with a copy of your tailored CV and Covering Letter demonstrating how you meet the essential/desirable criteria on the job specification.
What we offer
As well as exciting opportunities, UCL offers a range of great benefits. Find out more:
- 41 days' holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days)
- Option to purchase 5 additional days' annual leave
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, and immigration loan
- Relocation support for eligible posts
- On-site nursery and gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
- Staff Support Service (employee assistance programme)
- Discounted medical insurance
Full details: UCL Rewards and Benefits.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We particularly encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in UCL's workforce, including those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and - for Grade 9 and 10 roles - women.
Read more: UCL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Applicants should also familiarise themselves with UCL's policies on: Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Personal Relationships Policy
