Job Summary Table of Communications Manager

Communications Manager Role: Bridging Research and Real-World Impact

Are you passionate about making complex research accessible and impactful? The Centre for Society and Mental Health at King’s College London is seeking a skilled Communications Manager to play a vital role in disseminating groundbreaking research on the relationships between society and mental health. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work with leading researchers and experts-by-experience to translate important findings into accessible formats that can influence policy and practice.

Job Description Summary

The Communications Manager will lead all communication activities for the Centre for Society and Mental Health, a cross-Faculty initiative between the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy (SSPP) and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN). This role involves creating and implementing strategic communication plans to effectively disseminate research findings to key stakeholders including policymakers, community partners, and the public.

Communications Manager Responsibilities

In this dynamic role, you will collaborate closely with the Centre Manager and Communications, Policy, and Impact hub leads to ensure research findings are effectively communicated to appropriate audiences. Your key responsibilities will include:

• 🔄 Work collaboratively with interdisciplinary research teams to sensitively communicate findings in accessible formats to influence policies and practice
• 📊 Develop and produce the Centre’s research briefs series, translating complex research into clear, actionable insights
• 🌐 Refresh and maintain the Centre’s website with engaging, up-to-date content using Contensis or similar content management systems
• 📱 Build and develop the Centre’s social media presence, including expanding BlueSky and LinkedIn followers and creating an Instagram account
• 📝 Create compelling content including news stories, blogs, and animations to promote the Centre’s work
• 🎯 Serve as an ambassador for the Centre, developing connections with potential partners, third sector organizations, media, and policy makers
• 📅 Continue to develop and deliver the Centre’s successful program of events to reach core audiences and attract new ones
• 📨 Coordinate all internal and external communications including newsletters, news stories, blog posts, and press releases
• 👥 Support the Centre’s culture of inclusivity and reciprocity, working in partnership with experts-by-experience and affected communities

Mental Health Research Communication Expertise

The ideal candidate will bring expertise in research communication with a particular sensitivity to mental health topics. You’ll need to demonstrate the ability to translate complex research findings into accessible formats while maintaining scientific integrity and respecting the experiences of those affected by mental health challenges.

As mental health research often involves sensitive content, you’ll need to show your capability to communicate potentially challenging or upsetting information in a thoughtful and accessible way. This requires not only excellent writing skills but also empathy and understanding of diverse audiences’ needs.

Centre for Society and Mental Health: Our Mission

The Centre for Society and Mental Health is committed to better understanding the complex interrelationships between society and mental health. Our work is guided by two fundamental principles:

1. Ensuring that social context is central to how we understand mental health
2. Working in partnership with affected communities

Our interdisciplinary approach brings together researchers from diverse backgrounds to explore how social, economic, and political factors influence mental health outcomes. By centering the experiences of affected communities and experts-by-experience, we aim to produce research that reflects lived realities and can drive meaningful change.

Benefits and Perks

• 💼 Part-time position (28 hours per week) offering excellent work-life balance
• 🏙️ Work at the prestigious Strand Campus in central London
• 🌱 Fixed-term contract until April 30, 2028, providing long-term stability
• 🏫 Be part of a leading research institution with global impact
• 👥 Collaborate with top researchers across multiple disciplines
• 🌍 Contribute to research that makes a real difference to mental health policy and practice

Essential Qualifications for Communications Manager Success

To thrive in this role, you’ll need to demonstrate:

• 📚 A first degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• 🗣️ Excellent communication skills with proven experience promoting and disseminating research findings to diverse audiences
• 📋 Experience coordinating research-related engagement activities, including developing briefs and similar outputs
• 🎪 Strong event management skills for organizing workshops, seminars, and conferences
• 💻 Proficiency in website maintenance, editing, and content creation using Contensis or similar CMS platforms
• 📱 Experience creating accessible social media content using tools like Canva or AdobePro
• 🎯 Demonstrable commitment to supporting research impact beyond academia
• ⏰ Proven ability to meet tight deadlines and manage workload through effective prioritization and time management

Desirable Qualities That Will Set You Apart

While not essential, the following qualities will strengthen your application:

• 🤝 Demonstrated ability to communicate challenging content sensitively and accessibly
• 👥 Experience working collaboratively with research teams and people with lived experience
• 💡 Interest in the intersection of society and mental health
• 🔄 Previous experience supporting interdisciplinary research projects
• ✍️ Strong science writing skills

Company Overview

King’s College London is one of the UK’s leading research universities, ranked among the top 35 universities in the world. With a distinguished history dating back to 1829, King’s combines world-class teaching and research with a commitment to making a positive impact on society. The university has approximately 33,000 students from more than 150 countries and nearly 8,500 staff.

Application Process

1. Submit your CV and a supporting statement detailing how you meet the essential criteria listed in the job advertisement
2. If shortlisted, you will be invited to interview (dates to be confirmed)
3. The selection process will assess your qualifications and experience against both essential and desirable criteria

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted by June 30, 2025.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please visit the King’s College London job portal and click “Apply Now.” You will need to download the full Job Description document and submit your application through the online system.

For additional information about this role, please contact Virginia Elgar at Virginia.elgar@kcl.ac.uk.

Equal Opportunity Statement

King’s College London is committed to creating an inclusive environment that promotes equality, values diversity, and maintains a working, learning, and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected. The university is committed to equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other irrelevant distinction.

Communications Career Growth at King’s College London

This role offers excellent career development opportunities within a prestigious academic institution. As Communications Manager, you’ll build valuable skills in research communication, stakeholder engagement, and public relations while contributing to important work that bridges academia and real-world impact. The Centre’s cross-Faculty nature also provides exposure to diverse disciplines and professional networks that can enhance your career prospects in research communication, public engagement, or policy influence.

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