The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences – is seeking its first Internal Communications Manager to join the Communications and Marketing Team in our Communications Directorate. The post holder will manage the delivery of internal communications across the organisation.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The Internal Communications Manager is a pivotal role in shaping how our colleagues collaborate and connect to deliver brilliant work.

You will ensure staff receive regular, clear and engaging information which builds understanding of how everyone across the organisation contributes to the British Academy’s strategic goals and fulfils its purpose as the UK’s voice for the humanities and social sciences.

The Internal Communications Manager will design and deliver the internal communications strategy that engages staff with the organisation, aligns internal messaging with our ways of working, behaviours and corporate objectives, and celebrates our successes and shared purpose.

As a confident communications professional and leader, you are adept at managing relationships with senior stakeholders and understanding colleagues’ internal communications needs. You are a persuasive and confident communicator, able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and discretion. Experience of internal communications management and channels, including developing and managing a staff intranet, are essential for this role.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Internal communications strategy and planning

• In partnership with the Deputy Head of Communications (Fellowship and Community), develop an internal communications strategy that prioritises clarity, accessibility and staff engagement, aligning with the British Academy’s 2027-31 strategic plan and People Strategy.

• Develop and manage an internal communications calendar covering Leadership communications, organisational and HR updates, staff engagement moments and storytelling that celebrates our work and demonstrates momentum and impact in delivering the Academy’s strategic goals.

• Ensure internal messaging aligns with our workplace values and provides visibility of the valuable work being delivered across all directorates and departments.

• Proactively identify and manage internal communications risks, monitoring emerging issues and supporting reactive communications when required.

2. Leadership and management communications

• Support the Chief Executive, Senior Management Team and Heads of Department by drafting internal messages, briefings, scripts and Q&A materials.

• Develop templates, tools and guidance to help managers communicate effectively and accessibly with staff.

• Prepare materials for staff events and leadership updates.

3. Channel, content and editorial management

• Review and manage the Academy’s regular all-staff communications, including weekly staff and HR bulletins, fortnightly all-staff meetings and the daily media coverage round-up.

• Working closely with the Deputy Head of Communications (Fellowship and Community), develop and implement a staff intranet which enables staff to more effectively share and access information and resources, and collaborate within and across departments.

• Maintain editorial standards across internal communications channels to ensure accessibility, clarity and consistency.

4. Change and organisational communications

• Ensure that organisational and operational updates are communicated to all staff with clarity and timeliness, and in alignment with accessibility best practice and our workplace values.

• Work with the HR team to ensure that colleagues feel informed and supported during periods of change.

5. Stakeholder partnership and collaboration

• Build strong relationships across all departments to understand their internal communication needs.

• Work closely with senior Communications and Engagement colleagues to ensure that internal and external messaging are aligned.

• Build strong relationships with the EDI Manager and Staff EDI Group to ensure that internal communications align with the Academy’s EDI Strategy.

6. Staff listening and engagement

• Work with the HR team to deliver staff surveys and shape messaging about how staff feedback is being responded to.

• Work with the HR team to ensure that the Staff Engagement Forum provides an effective space for staff to raise ideas, issues and questions.

• Share stories, updates and celebrations from across the organisation, ensuring that different voices are platformed.

• Role model organisational values and be a leader for positive change

7. Internal campaigns and events

• Coordinate internal campaigns on key themes such as wellbeing, inclusion, season launches or organisational priorities.

• Help plan and deliver staff events such as all-staff meetings, staff conferences and social events.

8.Analysis and improvement

• Monitor engagement across internal channels using Salesforce and Sharepoint analytics and use these insights to continuously and iteratively optimise content.

• Gather and interpret feedback to continually evolve internal communications in-terms of style, frequency and formats.

• Keep abreast of best practice and developments in internal communications.

 Key Stakeholders

Senior Management Team; HR Team; IT Team; Research Directorate; Policy directorate; Communications and Engagement directorate; Facilities team; Front of House team

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

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

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Proven experience of forming and maintaining relationships with internal stakeholders

• Positive attitude to challenges and collaboration 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

• Sensitivity, tact and discretion

• Persuasive and confident communication

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Experience of working collaboratively to develop and deliver impactful internal communications plans and campaigns

• Experience of developing and managing an intranet platform

• Experience of working with document management platforms such as Microsoft Sharepoint

• Experience of using CRM systems to support internal staff mailings

• Extensive experience of proofreading, copywriting and editing

• Good eye for strong, impactful images and ability to produce simple visual assets

• Strong understanding of in-platform analytics, such as Salesforce Account Engagement and Sharepoint, and how to use this data to drive performance

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills

• Knowledge of best practice and emerging trends in internal communications

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Understand 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 

• 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

WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. 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.

The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on 26 June 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 for this role are currently scheduled for 13 July but this may be subject to change.