Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the strategic marketing and communications plan for SMMC, ensuring alignment to programme objectives and long-term ambitions.
• Define audience, messaging and channel strategy, establishing clear objectives, success measures and evaluation approaches.
• Position SMMC as a flagship innovation and scale-up destination, building a compelling profile and communicating its regional and national impact.
• Own and shape the SMMC narrative across a complex programme environment, translating technical and research activity into clear, engaging communications.
• Lead the planning and delivery of integrated communications and marketing campaigns, ensuring coordinated delivery to agreed timescales and budgets.
• Provide strategic oversight of digital, media, content and event communications activity, ensuring consistent and effective engagement.
• Build and maintain influential relationships across internal and external stakeholders, acting as a senior communications representative and trusted adviser.
• Lead external agency and supplier relationships and report on communications performance and impact, ensuring high-quality delivery and value for money.

Requirements

• Educated to degree level, with a relevant qualification in marketing or communications, or equivalent professional experience
• Significant experience designing and delivering strategic marketing and communications programmes within complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and build effective relationships across organisational boundaries
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, compelling and audience-appropriate communications
• Strong leadership capability, including experience of leading teams and developing staff performance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence operating in high-profile and politically sensitive environments

Benefits

• 29 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and December closure days
• Generous pension scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Access to a wide range of staff benefits, including discounts, wellbeing support, and development programmes