Director of Communications and Engagement - 2026050

Director of Communications and Engagement - 2026050

The post is initially being offered as a 2-year fixed term appointment with potential for permanency. Applications for secondments are encouraged.

The future is not yet written. The choices we make today will shape the future of the natural systems that sustain us all, from the air we breathe and the water we drink to our shared prosperity, resilience and wellbeing.

This is a rare opportunity to join an organisation with a proud heritage, a trusted reputation and an ambitious vision:
Thriving nature for a sustainable future.

As the UK's statutory nature adviser, JNCC has spent more than 35 years providing the evidence, expertise and partnerships that help governments and society make better decisions for the natural world. Our science informs policy, supports international commitments and helps drive nature recovery across the UK, our Overseas Territories, and beyond. But evidence alone does not create change.

In a world of increasing complexity, misinformation and competing priorities, we need trusted voices that can communicate science with clarity, credibility and impact. We need to build understanding, inspire action and strengthen trust in the evidence that will help shape a more sustainable future. We also have a responsibility to safeguard the nature data, knowledge and evidence that future generations will depend upon.

That is why this role is so important.

As Director of Communications and Engagement, you will build on JNCC's strong reputation to help shape our next chapter. You will lead how we communicate our science, engage our stakeholders and strengthen our influence. Working alongside exceptional colleagues and partners, you will help turn evidence into action, build powerful relationships and ensure JNCC remains a trusted and influential voice for nature.

Together, we can build on JNCC's remarkable legacy, protect the knowledge that future generations will need, and help create a nature-positive future.

This is not a conventional communications role. It is an opportunity to shape national conversations, connect evidence with action, and help ensure nature is recognised as fundamental to the UK's future prosperity, resilience and wellbeing. As a member of JNCC's senior leadership team, you will help position the organisation at the centre of some of the UK's most important environmental, economic and societal debates.

You will ensure that robust scientific evidence informs decision-making and that JNCC's voice is heard where it matters most. If you want to help deliver JNCC's ambition to be a good ancestor, leaving a more resilient, equitable and nature-rich future for generations to come, we would love to hear from you.

• Lead a respected, high-performing communications and engagement function, strengthening capability, influence and strategic impact, supporting cross-organisation relationships, while managing resources, performance, budget and priorities.
• Contribute to an experienced senior leadership team, sharing responsibility for organisational performance, culture and delivery of JNCC’s organisational strategies.

• Lead an integrated communications and external engagement strategy that strengthens JNCC’s role as the UK’s trusted, independent scientific adviser on nature and maximises its reach, influence and impact.
• Coordinate JNCC’s approach to stakeholder engagement, supporting senior leaders and colleagues to build influential relationships beyond the environmental sector, across government, business, academia and international partners.
• Develop clear, compelling communications – including social media – that translate complex evidence into accessible messages and show why nature matters to policy, economic resilience and national security.
• Act as a trusted adviser to the Executive Committee, Chief Executive and Chair, providing expert counsel, constructive challenge and sound judgement on communications, reputation and stakeholder engagement.

• Build on the team’s strong foundations to deliver strategic internal communications that connect colleagues to JNCC’s vision, strategy, priorities and organisational change.
• Support the Chief Executive, Chair and Executive Committee in communicating strategic priorities, key messages and change.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

Company: JNCC Support Co Salary: £64,581

Hours:

Full-time

Location:

Peterborough, PE2 8YY
Working pattern:
Hybrid - 3 days remote Job type:
Contract Posting date: 10 Aug 2026 Closing date: 31 Aug 2026