Head of Communications
Westminster, London
Permanent, Full time
Competitive salaries and excellent benefits including up to one day's paid leave each year to undertake volunteering opportunities
Make UK is the voice of British manufacturing.
We champion a sector that employs millions, drives innovation and underpins the UK's economic success. We represent more than 20,000 manufacturing and engineering businesses, from cutting-edge start-ups to some of the world's largest industrial companies. Directly supporting over 5,000 members, we provide expert advice, training, business services and policy leadership that help manufacturers grow, compete and thrive.
As manufacturing takes centre stage in conversations about economic growth, skills, innovation, energy and trade, this is a rare opportunity to shape the narrative around one of the UK's most important sectors.
We're looking for an experienced and ambitious communications leader to join our Policy & Public Affairs team as Head of Communications. This is a high-profile role at the heart of Make UK's advocacy work. You'll be responsible for raising the profile of Make UK, our members and the wider manufacturing sector through a strategic and proactive communications programme.
Working closely with the Director of Policy & Public Affairs, the CEO and senior stakeholders across the organisation, you'll lead our earned media activity, shape communications around major policy campaigns and ensure Make UK remains a trusted and influential voice in national debate.
You'll also work in close partnership with our Marketing and Digital Marketing teams to ensure our messaging is aligned across paid, owned and earned channels, maximising reach and impact.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Communications
- Develop and deliver an integrated communications strategy aligned to Make UK's organisational priorities and policy objectives.
- Support the delivery of major advocacy campaigns through effective communications planning and stakeholder engagement.
- Provide strategic communications advice to the CEO, Chair and senior leadership team.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen Make UK's profile and influence across key audiences.
- Work collaboratively with marketing colleagues to ensure consistent messaging and campaign delivery across all channels.
Media Relations
- Lead Make UK's media relations activity, building a proactive and influential earned media programme.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with national, regional, trade and specialist media.
- Act as the primary point of contact for media enquiries and interview requests.
- Draft high-quality press releases, opinion pieces, statements, briefing materials and media lines.
- Secure impactful media coverage that supports organisational priorities and policy outcomes.
- Work closely with policy and public affairs colleagues to translate complex issues into compelling and accessible stories.
- Ensure media activity supports wider campaigns and contributes to tangible outcomes for the manufacturing sector.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers, industry partners, member companies and other key external stakeholders.
- Support communications around consultations, reports, research and major industry announcements.
- Help position Make UK as a leading authority on manufacturing and industrial policy.
Reputation Management
- Lead communications responses to reputational issues and sensitive matters.
- Develop crisis communications plans and protocols where required.
- Monitor media coverage, public discourse and stakeholder sentiment, identifying risks and opportunities.
Leadership
- Lead, coach and develop the communications team, including direct line management responsibilities.
- Manage external agencies and specialist suppliers where appropriate.
- Contribute to wider marketing and communications planning, reporting and performance measurement.
About You
You'll be a confident communications professional with strong media instincts, excellent judgement and a proven ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Significant experience in communications, corporate affairs, media relations or public relations.
- A strong track record of securing national and trade media coverage.
- Experience developing and delivering strategic communications campaigns that drive measurable impact.
- Strong understanding of the media landscape and how communications supports policy and public affairs objectives.
- Experience working closely with senior executives and advising on communications opportunities and risks.
- The ability to turn complex policy, economic or technical issues into clear, engaging content.
- Experience managing communications during high-profile or sensitive situations.
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Previous team leadership experience, including managing budgets and external suppliers.
Desirable
- Experience working within a trade association, membership organisation or representative body.
- Knowledge of public affairs, government relations or policy communications.
- An interest in manufacturing, industry, business or economic policy.
Why Join Make UK?
This is an opportunity to shape the national conversation around a sector that matters.
You'll join an organisation with a strong reputation, direct access to decision-makers and a clear mission: ensuring UK manufacturing remains competitive, innovative and globally successful.
With over 125 years of experience, Make UK is a leading provider of essential business support and a champion for manufacturing industry in the UK. Make UK has the close ear of Government and is a trusted provider of essential services for world leading manufacturing companies across the country. Everything we do is designed to inspire British manufacturers to compete, innovate and grow.
Make UK staff enjoy a good benefits package and values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Benefits to include, but not limited to:, no bank holiday/weekend work, flexible hours, health cover, matched pension contributions up to 8%, and life assurance.
We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and we recognise the contribution that Service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation and have pledged to support this by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Our Values at Make UK: Inclusivity & Diversity, Integrity, Innovation, & Collaboration
