West Cambridge | From £ 58,000 | Full time/ Flexible* | Hybrid
Contract until June 2027 (possibility of extension)
Senior Strategic Communications Advisor (TenU)
As attention on research commercialisation grows, TenU’s voice is helping shape the future of policy and practice. Our work combines rigorous evidence with practical insight to support governments, universities, and innovation leaders around the world.
We’re looking for an experienced Senior Strategic Communications Advisor to lead TenU’s communications and engagement activity helping position our work so it informs, influences, and inspires.
Why you will love this role:
You’ll shape how TenU’s story is told and make sure our messages land with the people who matter: policymakers, universities, and partners across the global innovation ecosystem. This is a hands‑on role for someone who enjoys strategy and delivery in equal measure. You’ll join a small, collaborative team where we value openness, curiosity, and clear thinking.
You’ll work closely with our Director to shape communications that cut through complexity, connect across cultures, and strengthen TenU’s impact. Some days that means drafting an op‑ed or refining a deck; others, advising on stakeholder strategy or guiding brand development.
What you’ll do
* Lead TenU’s communications strategy and delivery, aligning our messaging with wider political and policy developments.
* Source, research and craft compelling, accessible content that brings complex ideas to life.
* Strengthen relationships with member universities, government, and partners through clear, consistent communication.
* Oversee our digital channels and guide the development of a new CRM to support smarter engagement.
* Safeguard TenU’s brand and editorial quality across all outputs.
* Line‑manage and support our Communications and Partnerships Coordinator.
What we’re looking for
* Experience leading communications in a policy, research, or politically engaged environment.
* Strong political awareness and editorial judgement.
* A strategic thinker who’s equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves.
* Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills — adaptable across audiences and formats.
* Collaborative, empathetic, and confident engaging with senior stakeholders.
* Curious, proactive, and internationally minded, with a knack for joining the dots between people and ideas.
Why join us
You’ll play a central role in how TenU communicates its mission and shapes the future of research commercialisation. If you thrive in a fast‑moving, purpose‑driven environment and enjoy blending strategy with creativity, we’d love to hear from you.
* We are open to applications for less than full time (37.5) hours, but would look for this role to be covered at a minimum of 27 hrs/ 3.5 days per week.
Diversity and equality matter
These are our ideal requirements, but we know some people are less likely to apply for the role unless they are 100% qualified. At Cambridge Enterprise, we promote a diverse, inclusive and empowering culture, so please apply if you meet the majority of the job requirements.
If you have any questions about the interview process, or if you need any reasonable adjustments, please don’t hesitate to contact the team people@enterprise.cam.ac.uk
Perks at a glance
* 30 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
* Class‑leading Bupa private medical insurance
* Hybrid role with genuine flexible working – including work from abroad for up to 30 days a year in most roles
* Generous University pension scheme.
* A commitment to personal development including LinkedIn learning.
* Family‑friendly policies (including enhanced parental leave & childcare benefits, fertility leave, and pregnancy loss leave)
* Mental health and well‑being support including access to free counselling.
* Access to Bupa’s Menopause Plan for expert advice and support.
* Retail and travel discounts.
Why TenU and Cambridge Enterprise?
We are TenU, a group of innovation offices from ten of the world’s leading research universities. We exist to connect these universities to help share ideas on how to make research more impactful. We produce guidance, host events, and have remote training programs. Now, we need aSenior Strategic Communications Advisor to join our team at our vibrant West Cambridge site.
TenU is hosted by Cambridge Enterprise. Cambridge Enterprise is at the heart of Europe’s most successful research and technology cluster and we’re on a mission to bring innovation to life, making a difference to society, the UK economy, and the University of Cambridge. We connect the innovative minds of the University’s academics with the funding, start‑up expertise and commercial relationships they need to help their ideas thrive.
Key dates
* Closing date: 12 November
* First interviews: w/c 1st December
* Final interviews: w/c 8th December
Note
If we get a strong response, we may close the role a little earlier than planned. This could mean the key dates shift slightly, so we’d recommend applying soon.
#J-18808-Ljbffr