Strategic Communications Lead – now closed.

 

Proposed salary: £80,000 to £90,000 depending on skills and experience, plus a generous benefits package.

Location: Flexible location within the UK, with the expectation of attending our central London office at least two-to-three days a week, including Mondays

Reports to: Eleanor Hevey, Director of Advocacy and Communications 

 

If you are interested in this position, but salary or location is a barrier to you applying, please get in touch with our team to discuss as we may be able to offer some flexibility based on individual circumstances.

 

Deadline: Apply via this form by 21 May 2026 at 23:59 Anywhere on Earth (AoE)

 

For any questions, please send an email to: hiring@longtermresilience.org

About CLTR

The Centre for Long-Term Resilience (CLTR) is an independent UK-based think tank with a mission to transform global resilience to extreme risks. We achieve this by working with governments and institutions, offering targeted, evidence-based advice designed to enhance understanding, decision-making and governance.

At CLTR, we focus on three prioritised policy areas that, when addressed effectively, can substantially reduce both present and prospective catastrophic threats: i) biosecurity, ii) artificial intelligence, and iii) improving how governments manage extreme risks.

 

Strategic Communications at CLTR 

We are building a world-class strategic communications function, actively promoting CLTR’s expertise and thought leadership through compelling, targeted content — strengthening its visibility and reputation across influential audiences, ensuring our voice carries real weight in public policy conversations in the UK and, increasingly, in the US, EU and other key markets. 

Through this new hub, CLTR is stepping up as the anchor organisation for coordinated AI safety and biosecurity communications in the UK — amplifying expert voices and driving a step-change in communications infrastructure, talent development, public message testing and ecosystem coordination to measurably shift the salience of extreme risks.

This is a rare and meaningful opportunity to help shape the public, media and political narrative on some of the most consequential issues of our time, at a moment when that narrative is still being written.

 

What You’ll Do:

To be successful in this role, our new Strategic Communications Lead will design and deliver bold and effective communications strategies, build the hub function from the ground up and translate complex policy concepts into compelling narratives that resonate with influential audiences and move the dial on AI safety and biosecurity. 

This is a hands-on, high-autonomy senior role. You will be expected to hit the ground running, deputise for the Director of Advocacy & Communications, lead stakeholder relationships and take ownership over a fast-moving communications environment.

 

Your role will include:

• Shaping CLTR’s presence with key audiences including media, policymakers, funders, technical experts, partners and peers. 
• Leading strong press and media relations — securing coverage that positions CLTR as an authoritative voice in the AI safety and biosecurity space in top-tier outlets. 
• Overseeing and mapping the ecosystem of key journalists, organisations, movements, and potential partners, maintaining and developing these relationships over time.
• Driving coordination of communications activities across partners in the UK and facilitating network coordination and cooperation internationally, particularly with US and EU partners.
• Executing sophisticated communications and compelling storytelling that shapes understanding of AI and biosecurity policy issues and shifts the media and political narrative, while navigating complex issues and stakeholder landscapes.
• Leading the development of mission-aligned core messaging frameworks and designing and delivering strategic communications plans informed by polling and message-testing insights, sharing these with partner organisations.
• Mobilising and supporting internal and external trusted voices — facilitating media and speaking engagements, drafting op-eds, and cementing CLTR experts and partners as leading voices.
• Managing a small but dedicated team and coaching colleagues across CLTR in communications best practices.
• Directing and managing relationships with agencies and specialist contractors.
• Contributing to a vibrant CLTR team culture, providing and welcoming clear and constructive feedback.

 

What You’ll Bring:

We are looking for someone with a proven track record of impact in strategic communications or journalism, and an aptitude for building strong relationships with stakeholders.

 

In particular, we are looking for candidates who:

• Are adept at charting a clear course for impact, articulating and driving a vision and cutting through in the policy communications and media landscape.
• Bring demonstrable expertise in managing complex communications in politically sensitive contexts, with a clear point of view on how to leverage the evolving media landscape.
• Excel in translating complex technical and policy concepts into compelling narratives that resonate with press, policymakers, and the public — with excellent judgment about tone, timing, and audience.
• Have a track record of crafting or landing stories in top-tier UK and international outlets.
• Communicate with clarity, directness and integrity — building trust with stakeholders at all levels, and fostering a culture of open, honest feedback.
• Take full ownership of their work and deliver on their commitments — proactive, adaptable and decisive, even in fast-moving or ambiguous situations.
• Are highly organised and able to lead multiple workstreams and stakeholders simultaneously, without losing quality or judgement.
• Demonstrate motivation and commitment to CLTR’s mission and to reducing extreme AI and biological risks.
  
  

Salary and Benefits: 

£80,000 to £90,000, depending on experience. However, we would be open to considering a higher salary for a truly exceptional candidate. If you are interested in this position, but the salary is a barrier to applying, please get in touch with our team to discuss.

In addition to your salary, CLTR offers a generous benefits package which includes:

• 30 days annual leave, plus public holidays;
• £5,000 (before tax) annual wellbeing budget, for you to spend at your discretion on items such as gym membership, therapy, meditation, etc.;
• £3,000 annual learning and development budget, plus up to five days paid work time;
• £2,000 onboarding grant for equipment and supplies;
• A pension contribution scheme (up to 7% employer-matched contribution);
• Private health insurance;
• Group life insurance;
• Generous parental leave benefits;
• Budget for relocation if required; and
• Paid office lunches twice a week including on Mondays.

 

Working with CLTR also comes with a commitment to caring deeply about your wellbeing, career development and overall experience working with our team, and to respect your preferred working patterns, including flexible working hours as agreed with line managers, wherever possible.

Location and Travel Requirements

Flexible location within the UK, with the expectation of attending our central London office at least twice-to-three times a week, including Mondays. However, we may be open to exploring remote working arrangements in exceptional circumstances for a limited period of time. The role may require occasional international travel. 

We may be able to sponsor visas for this role, so please do not let this keep you from applying.

 

Application Process

Joining our team at CLTR involves a thorough but straightforward and transparent application process. Here is what a successful candidate is likely to experience and do:

Initial: Submit your application before Thursday 21st May

Stage 1: Complete a timed remote work assessment.

Stage 2: Initial virtual interview. 

Stage 3: Final interview, after which we’ll conduct a reference check.

Email invitations and any process updates will be sent to all candidates who progress at each stage. If we decide to make adjustments during the hiring process we will keep candidates well-informed via email. Our goal is to complete all stages and make an offer by the end of June 2026.

If you’re on the fence about applying or have further questions about the role or process, we strongly recommend getting in touch with us at hiring@longtermresilience.org. 

As an employer we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply and do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also warmly welcome applicants returning to work after career breaks.

 

Reasonable Adjustments

It’s really important that all candidates who have the potential to succeed at CLTR are provided with an equitable experience in the application process. So if you require adjustments to provide you with the best opportunity to succeed through our hiring process, please feel free to contact hiring@longtermresilience.org at any stage.

Please be assured that adjustments are seen as part of creating a fair environment at CLTR, and will not influence decision-making in our selection process. Adjustments may include (but aren’t limited to!): compensation for travel expenses to attend interviews, additional time or accessibility support for tasks in the selection process, or other adjustments in the way the hiring process is run.