Communications Lead: Change and Impact

The Role

The University of Cambridge is seeking an experienced communications professional to join the Change and Impact team in the University Change Support Office (UCSO). This role will lead and coordinate communications for a portfolio of complex change programmes and projects, helping staff and stakeholders understand and engage with institutional change.

UCSO provides expertise in change and communications, benefits realisation, portfolio planning, common standards, strategic reporting and business-case appraisal. It supports the Change and Programme Management Board in directing and overseeing the University's portfolio of major change programmes, for which communications is a key enabling function.

Working within the strategic communications direction and the established operational priorities, the post-holder will develop, implement and evaluate communications approaches for UCSO-supported change activity. The role will provide specialist advice on stakeholder engagement, messaging, timing, channels, listening mechanisms and communications risks, including where issues are sensitive or operationally significant.

The post-holder will also serve as the UCSO communications practice lead for change activity, developing standards, tools and templates; coordinating communications across programmes; coaching contributors; and using audience insight and feedback to improve communications impact. The role will work closely with programme teams, Change Partners, communications colleagues and the University's Internal Communications Team within the Office of External Affairs and Communications.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, implement and evaluate internal communications strategies and stakeholder engagement plans for UCSO-supported change activity, translating programme objectives into clear messages, channels, listening arrangements and impact measures.
• Provide specialist communications advice to programme boards, senior responsible officers, committees, managers and programme teams on sensitive messaging, timing, stakeholder confidence, reputational considerations and adoption risks.
• Define and embed communications standards, tools, templates and quality criteria, and support consistent practice across programmes through coaching, feedback and practical guidance.
• Coordinate communications across UCSO-supported programmes, Reimagining Professional Service activity and other major change initiatives, aligning messages and schedules and resolving duplication or conflicting communications needs.
• Produce, commission, edit and assure high-quality communications products, and use audience insight, channel information and stakeholder feedback to identify risks and improve communications effectiveness.

About you

You will:

• Have significant experience of leading or coordinating communications for complex organisational change, transformation, policy implementation or institutional programmes involving multiple stakeholder groups.
• Bring advanced knowledge of internal and change communications, with experience of advising senior stakeholders on sensitive communications, engagement, messaging, timing and reputational considerations.
• Have excellent written, verbal and editorial judgement and experience of producing or assuring high-impact content for specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Be able to develop practical communications strategies, standards and evaluation approaches, interpret audience insight and feedback, and influence effectively through matrix working arrangements.
• Be educated to degree level, or have equivalent practical experience, in communications, engagement, public relations, journalism, marketing, organisational change or a related field. A recognised professional communications qualification is desirable.

The Benefits

In return, you will receive an extensive reward and benefits package including:

• 41 days annual leave, including bank holidays.
• Potential for flexible and hybrid working, subject to the operational needs of the role.
• A generous pension scheme, discount portal, cycle to work scheme, access to the University accommodation service, relocation expenses scheme, employee assistance programme and family-friendly policies.

The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

When applying, please upload your CV and cover letter which clearly sets out how you meet the criteria listed in the person specification (the knowledge, skills, and experience required for the role) along with relevant examples. Candidates will be shortlisted and invited to interview based upon these criteria.

Interviews will be held in late November 2026.

Additional information regarding the role can be found within the further information file. If you wish to discuss this role in more detail, or have questions about the application process, enquiries are welcome. Please contact the team via change@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference YV51402 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.