Purpose of the post 

The Senior Communications Manager will lead the strategic development and delivery of communications for the DARE UK programme. 

As DARE UK looks ahead to its next phase, the post-holder will play a pivotal role in shaping the programme’s future communications direction. They will start by working collaboratively with an external agency commissioned to review DARE UK’s communications, helping to shape the review, engage key stakeholders and translate its findings into a clear, evidence-led strategy that supports the programme’s longer-term ambitions. 

The longer-term role will combine strategic leadership with close collaboration across DARE UK’s partner organisations. The post-holder will develop a compelling programme narrative, align communications plans and messaging, and identify opportunities to maximise the collective reach and impact of the programme.  

A central purpose of the role will be to translate complex concepts into clear, accurate and engaging communications. The post-holder will tailor narratives and messaging for different audiences – including researchers, technical specialists, policymakers, delivery partners and the public – without losing important nuance.  

We are seeking an experienced communications professional who can lead strategic communications planning, with excellent writing and content-production skills and the ability to influence stakeholders, support advocacy and adoption, and coordinate the collaborative delivery of communications across organisational boundaries. 

Main responsibilities 

• Work in partnership with the commissioned external agency to shape and support a strategic review of DARE UK’s communications, coordinating input from programme leadership, partners and key stakeholders. 

• Lead the development and delivery of DARE UK’s longer-term communications strategy, ensuring alignment with programme objectives and priorities. 

• Translate the review’s findings and recommendations into a clear, actionable communications strategy and roadmap, supporting DARE UK’s transition towards Phase 3 in March 2028. 

•  Work with public involvement colleagues, representatives and community partners to support inclusive two-way engagement and communicate the responsible use of sensitive data for public benefit. 

• Develop and maintain a compelling programme narrative, key messages and communications framework that articulate DARE UK’s purpose, progress and impact, translating complex concepts into clear and engaging communications for diverse audiences. 

• Develop audience-informed advocacy and engagement approaches that build support among decision-makers, delivery partners and professional communities for the adoption of new capabilities and system-wide change. 

• Work with programme leadership to anticipate communications needs, plan for key milestones and identify opportunities to raise DARE UK’s profile. 

• Establish effective ways of working with partner communications teams, coordinating forward plans, aligning messaging and delivering joint communications activity. 

• Identify opportunities to amplify content through partner networks and channels, maximising reach and avoiding duplication. 

• Oversee the development of engaging, accessible multimedia content, including news articles, blogs, reports, infographics and videos, across digital, media and other channels.  

• Advise senior colleagues on communications strategy, advocacy messaging, stakeholder engagement and reputational risks. 

• Coordinate media and engagement opportunities with relevant partner communications teams. 

• Monitor and evaluate communications effectiveness, using audience insight and engagement data to refine strategy and demonstrate impact. 

• Manage communications projects, budgets and external suppliers, ensuring delivery to agreed timescales and standards. 

Planning and collaborative working 

The post-holder will balance long-term strategic planning with the delivery of communications activity in a fast-moving programme environment. A key early priority will be working alongside the commissioned external agency and programme partners to review current communications, identify strategic opportunities and agree a future direction for DARE UK as it moves to its next programme phase. 

The post-holder will help ensure the review is informed by programme objectives, audience insight and partner perspectives, and that its recommendations translate into a practical, prioritised and measurable strategy. 

Collaborative working will be central to the role. The post-holder will build trusted relationships with partner communications teams, establish shared planning processes and align activity across organisational boundaries, influencing without necessarily having direct authority over those involved.

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