Communications Manager

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and provides technical advice on the government’s space strategy, supporting the UK space sector to deliver the government’s vision. Space is a part of everyday life. Satellites underpin our national economy, from agriculture and banking to aviation and shipping, and support our national security. Space science provides critical data to understand and address global challenges such as climate change, while missions to explore our solar system unite nations and advance humanity’s horizons.

We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 people across the country.

Through our portfolio of programmes and projects, we encourage the development of national space capabilities and are an early-stage investor in space research and development. We also promote the UK space sector’s interests and achievements; make connections to join up industry and academia; and represent the UK in international space programmes.

We have a powerful global voice, partnering with institutions across the world, including the European Space Agency.

More information about the Agency is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency

To discover more please watch this film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZZ-o0IkVU

Our Inclusive Environment

We have an inclusive culture to make UKSA a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.
We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.

We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced communications professional to join a dynamic team to promote the government’s vision for the UK space sector and the UK Space Agency’s role in delivering it.

You will be a first point of contact for journalists and build constructive relationships with them to effectively manage both proactive and reactive media opportunities, and strengthen the Agency’s impact through media engagement.

You will help promote a creative and insight-driven culture across the communications team, as we evolve our communications strategy, demonstrating innovative communications and influencing skills.

You will support the Chief Communications Officer on message development and forward planning, and form close working relationships with other government departments, international organisations including the European Space Agency (ESA), and the wider UK space sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading on the development of comprehensive media handling plans for priority announcements, driving greater public and stakeholder awareness of the UK Space Agency’s work and the growing UK space sector.
• Adapting our media strategy to reflect evolving priorities and new sources of audience and stakeholder insight.
• Managing the media team’s day-to-day workflow and schedule, seeing through multiple projects from conception to delivery.
• Building relationships with journalists, producers, and editors across the media landscape.
• Identifying risks and opportunities through communications and providing effective communications advice to senior Agency staff and Ministers.
• Carrying out evaluation of communications and contributing key insights and recommended improvements into planning processes.
• Keeping abreast of developing media trends to improve, enhance and protect the Agency’s reputation.
• Working closely with all communications functions including Digital, External Affairs and Internal Communications, to deliver coordinated messaging.