Strategic Communications Manager

Perks and Benefits

• Flexible working hours
• Work from home option
• Healthcare
• Life Insurance
• Wellness programs
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Extra holiday
• Sabbatical Opportunities
• Professional development
• Paid volunteer days
• Salary sacrifice
• Team social events
• Extracurricular clubs
• Cycle to work scheme

At the Satellite Applications Catapult, our mission is to grow the UK economy by supporting our best companies to accelerate the invention and adoption of space data and technology. We are looking for a Strategic Communications Manager who can amplify our influence and ensure that our expert voice is heard in the places where innovation, policy, investment and impact intersect.

This role is for a highly skilled communications expert who can shape strategic narratives and content, connect with high-value audiences across government, industry, academia and media, and ensure that our messages are relevant, compelling, and timely. The ideal candidate will understand the policy, innovation and technology landscape we work in, and know how to build the right partnerships, place our experts in key conversations and strengthen our position as a national asset.

• Develop and deliver clear, achievable strategic communications strategies in collaboration with business teams for the Catapult’s major interventions, covering Missions, Defence, Business Growth and Corporate Communications.
• Act as a senior communications representative and advisor with members of the Leadership Team to ensure visibility of plans and delivery and to ensure delivery against objectives.
• Hold budget responsibility for activity areas.

• Deliver highly relevant, expert content to establish our credibility with key audiences.
• Create ongoing thought‑leadership campaigns that highlight expertise and influence key audiences, supporting uptake of space data and technology.
• Develop articles, white papers, video, podcast, op‑eds, media engagement, webinars and events to maximise visibility.

• Build relationships with journalists, editors, podcast hosts and media outlets relevant to innovation, sustainability, space, data, infrastructure and future economy.
• Use media channels regularly to land thought‑leadership pieces and provide expert commentary on the space sector.
• Act as a spokesperson with media on behalf of the Catapult from time to time.
• Monitor media landscape, engage reactively and proactively, and prepare key messages and FAQs.

• Work closely with Partnerships, Policy and Place team to deliver stakeholder activities.
• Map key stakeholders for each major intervention area.
• Lead round‑tables, 1‑on‑1 meetings and parliamentary receptions to educate stakeholders.

• Lead the Digital Team to ensure effective delivery of digital activities and collaborate with other business teams.
• Develop staff toward broader strategic priorities.
• Manage the Graphic Designer to ensure timely delivery of design work.

• At least 8 years experience in a strategic communications role, ideally in innovation, science, technology, public policy or adjacent sectors.
• At least 5 years managing media relationships across national and trade titles, with demonstrable pitching and placing of key stories and op‑eds.
• Experience using strategic communications to build and maintain reputation, trust and relationships with stakeholders, especially Government departments.
• At least 5 years acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders and C‑Suite representatives on communications activities in B2B and B2G settings.
• Significant experience developing and delivering impactful strategies with measurable revenue or policy outcomes in an innovation environment.
• Experience managing multi‑functional teams, including people‑manager team members.
• Demonstrable copywriting, editing and verbal communication skills across broad audiences.
• Experience of the UK innovation ecosystem, public policy cycles, and the role of space and data.

• Experience in space or other deep‑tech companies,…