Head of Strategic Communications

About us:

Drinkaware is a leading charity concerned with reducing harm from alcohol. We do this by providing impartial, evidence-based information, advice, and practical resources; raising awareness of alcohol harms; and working in partnership with others to deliver change through our tools and interventions. The Trust is funded primarily through voluntary, unrestricted donations from alcohol producers, wholesalers, and on- and off-trade retailers, but acts entirely independently. 

If you’re passionate about making a difference and thrive in a role where no two days are the same, we’d love to hear from you. 

The role:

The Head of Strategic Communications will lead Drinkaware’s strategic communications activity, ensuring the organisation maintains a strong, credible and trusted external profile. This role is responsible for building and safeguarding Drinkaware’s reputation through a cohesive and integrated communications strategy that balances opportunity with risk, while supporting the organisation’s wider mission and objectives.
Leading a small and skilled media and communications team, the role oversees activity across media relations, PR, stakeholder engagement and internal communications. The postholder will also work closely with colleagues to contribute to social media and content activity, ensuring consistent, high-quality messaging across all channels.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and deliver Drinkaware’s strategic communications approach, ensuring all media, corporate, stakeholder, internal and content activity is aligned with organisational values, goals and overall communications strategy.
• Protect and enhance Drinkaware’s external reputation, acting as a trusted and independent voice on alcohol through proactive and reactive media relations, crisis communications planning and day-to-day reputational risk management.
• Manage and develop media engagement and presence, including leading the press office, amplifying expert spokespeople, building strong journalist relationships across all channels, and maximising high-quality media coverage.
• Oversee key communications projects and outputs, including organisational messaging and Lines to Take, integrated communications campaigns, stakeholder and internal communications, and commissioning the Annual Report and Accounts.

Person specification:

• Demonstrable experience leading strategic communications and PR campaigns that raise profile and strengthen the reputation of a social impact organisation.
• Excellent and adaptable writing and editing skills across a wide range of formats, from press releases and communications plans to Annual Reports and digital content, with the ability to brief and manage internal and external writers.
• Proven ability to manage reputational risk and lead crisis communications and escalation processes, advising senior executives and organisational leaders.
• Strong media expertise, including managing a press office, identifying and selling media opportunities, building trusted journalist relationships, and a strategic understanding of the UK media landscape and public concerns.
• Effective senior-level stakeholder engagement skills, including advising the CEO, Chair and Chief Medical Advisor, building internal and external relationships, and delivering internal, corporate and stakeholder communications grounded in research and evidence.

Benefits and Additional information: 

• Salary up-to £66,755
• Office based in London (EC1Y 4SE)
• Hybrid working  (2 days minimum per week in the office)
• 9 Month contract

Ready to make an impact?

Apply today and help us work together to reduce alcohol harm across the UK. 

For full information please refer to the job description, our applicant privacy policy available via the "Apply" link below and read more about Drinkaware on our website. 

Closing date: January 12, 2026

Apply for this post by clicking on the 'Apply' link.