National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR)
Director of Communications and External Affairs
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR)
Location: London (flexible working available)
Position Type: Full-time, permanent
Salary: Circa £80,000
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
About the Role
Put Britain's best economic research where it can change the debate
NIESR is one of the UK's most respected independent economic research institutes — trusted by policymakers, journalists, and business leaders for rigorous, evidence-led analysis. We're looking for a Director of Communications and External Affairs to make sure that our expertise doesn't just get published, but gets heard.
This is a rare hybrid role: part strategist, part editor, part newsroom contact, part digital creator. You'll sit close to our researchers and our Director, spotting the story inside complex economics before anyone else does — then shaping it, pitching it, writing it, and publishing it yourself. You will lead the function, but you won't be managing from a distance: you'll be the one on the phone to the Financial Times, drafting the killer press line, and hitting publish on the post that gets picked up.
If you can translate a forecasting report into a headline, sharpen a chief economist's key message in one line, and you already know which journalists to call before the ink is dry — we want to talk to you.
What You'll Be Doing
- Setting the strategy — owning NIESR's communications and external affairs strategy, and advising the Director and Council of Management on positioning, messaging, and reputational issues.
- Leading editorially — working with researchers from the earliest stages to sharpen titles, key messages, press lines, and launch narratives, and finding the “so what?” in complex research.
- Driving media coverage — using your existing network of senior economics, financial, and political journalists to generate proactive coverage, commentary, and broadcast opportunities, not just respond to inbound requests.
- Going hands-on in digital — personally creating and publishing content across social and digital channels, and building a distinctive voice that expands NIESR's reach.
- Connecting profile to impact — working with events and the Director of Development to turn NIESR's audience and influence into partnerships, sponsorships, and revenue.
- Building the function — establishing standards and priorities now, with a team to follow as the function grows.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What You'll Bring
- Significant senior-level experience in communications, journalism, editorial, or public affairs — ideally somewhere research-led, policy-focused, or evidence-driven.
- A genuine, established network of senior economics and political journalists and editors.
- A track record of personally writing, editing, and publishing high-quality content — not just directing others to do it.
- Exceptional editorial judgment: you can find the strongest argument in a dense piece of research and make it land.
- Real hands-on digital and social media experience, from strategy through to hitting publish.
- Confidence operating at senior leadership level, advising directors and boards on external positioning.
- Curiosity about economics and public policy, and the credibility to engage with researchers as a peer.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Experience in a think tank, university, financial institution, or similar evidence-led organization is a plus, as is a background in journalism or editorial leadership.
Why NIESR
You'll have genuine influence from day one — a seat close to NIESR's Director and senior researchers, and a direct line to shaping how the UK's economic debate is framed. It's a role built for someone who wants strategic ownership and the satisfaction of seeing their own words in print. We offer flexible working, a competitive salary reflecting the seniority of the role, and the chance to build a function in your own image as it grows.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter setting out your suitability for the role, including examples of media coverage or content you have personally generated, to hr@niesr.ac.uk
Interviews to take place Mid-October
NIESR is committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion, and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Location