Strategic Communications Manager

Application Submission Deadline:3rd June 2026 - 23:55 hrs IST

Main purpose of job:

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic communications professional who will work with colleagues across the UK in India to bring greater coherence and structure to our communications.

This will mean working with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders across the UK in India Network to deliver on some of the UKs top priorities. The job holder will work closely across the India Network, including with policy colleagues and other internal stakeholders, to implement Vision 2035 – our ambitious, future-focused UK-India partnership for the next decade.

You will lead on strategic communications and campaigns focusing on Defence and Security, Migration and Soft Power. Your job will be to explain what these priorities are and why they are important – capturing examples of our partnership and finding innovative ways of bringing them to life. While the role may evolve over time, the person specification will not – we are looking for someone with impeccable news and communications judgement, exceptional interpersonal skills and a proven ability to influence others to achieve positive outcomes.

You will be part of the Communications team at the British High Commission New Delhi, which provides a fast-paced, engaging and rewarding work environment. This will require you to deliver at pace and manage a variety of competing priorities.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

The role:

This is an exciting role sitting at the heart of the UK in India network communications team.

As Strategic Communications Manager, you will be responsible for being the go-to person on your policy areas. This will mean collaborating closely with policy leads in other departments and working with a wide range of colleagues across the India Network to promote the Defence and Security, Migration and Soft Power elements of Vision 2035.

Your job will be to explain what these are and why they are important – capturing examples of this partnership and finding innovative ways of bringing them to life. You will:

• Develop and then deliver strategic communications plans for Defence and Security, Migration and Soft Power. This includes working with key stakeholders and developing and maintaining a set of key messages and a forward look plan of activities.
• Be the communications point of contact and maintain a virtual network of colleagues, to ensure a clear understanding of relevant activities, find stories, create up-to-date and compelling content, and maintain an awareness of potential sensitivities. Support colleagues on presentation and identifying sensitives and opportunities.
• Advise colleagues and partners, developing written communication materials to showcase the UKs work, and helping to manage media issues.
• Plan content and stories linked to your themes working closely with the News and Digital team, to place both on UK in India digital channels, and in mainstream media.
• Establish processes to gather audience insight and key perceptions to create a baseline against which to measure the effectiveness of your plans and conduct regular evaluation.
• Maintain flexibility, supporting colleagues working on other themes, and take on additional responsibilities as required (for example during Ministerial visits, or when responding to emerging issues).

You will be required to work in close collaboration with a team of communications specialists, working in multiple locations.

You will also take on wider responsibilities as part of the Press and Communications Group, inputting into insight and evaluation activity, providing mentoring and training for others, and taking the lead on some corporate issues.

The job holder:

You will need to be proactive, organised and great at building productive relationships. You will need to spot opportunities and think creatively about how to improve our communications, even where there is minimal budget. Where appropriate, you will need to be able to deliver results quickly and to a high standard independently.

You will be familiar with how to deliver effective strategic communications campaigns from start to finish and have a sound understanding of campaign planning, being able to think creatively about how to tackle issues, change perceptions and get your audiences attention.

You will have impeccable news and communications judgement and a proven ability to influence others to achieve positive outcomes.

Exceptional interpersonal skills are essential in this role. The successful candidate will uphold our values and have a proven record of maintaining positive working relationships and contributing to a positive working environment.

The job holder may be called upon to support the wider communications team when necessary, so a degree of flexibility is required. You will report to the Deputy Head of Communications.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

You will line manage the teams Marketing and Events Manager.

Learningand development opportunities (if any):

The jobholder will be able to access a wide range of online and face-to-face training delivered for the UK Government in Britain and abroad. They will have opportunities to access specialist training for government communicators. Much of the learning is on the job, which will be diverse and varied.

Language requirements:

Language: English & Hindi

Level of language require

A written test will be included as part of the recruitment process.

Additional information - Specific local Post requirements, if any.

The work of a diplomatic mission can cover a wide variety of subject matter, ranging from trade and investment, to defence and security to education and visas. The jobholder should be able to hit the ground running, learning quickly about a wide range of issues, and be comfortable working a desk as well as being out in the field.

The UK is one of the largest and more active foreign missions in India, and it represents the UKs largest overseas network. The Press and Communications Group is at the heart of this network, working closely with the High Commissioner and engaging regularly with the various government departments represented in India. Despite its size, it is a warm and welcoming team.

The High Commission is committed to ensuring employees enjoy a good work-life balance. It is a stimulating place to work where we value diversity and inclusion and care about the development of our people.

Essential on arrival:

• At least 5 years of communications experience in a relevant field.
• Previous experience in media, marketing, public relations, or campaigning in India. Either as a journalist in traditional or digital media, campaign manager or in the wider communications field.
• Solid understanding of campaign planning and experience in designing and delivering a campaign.
• Excellent written communication skills, to be able to draft press releases, communications materials, and proof-read.
• Familiarity with different digital platforms (Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn) and ability to communicate professionally and evaluate digital impact through these.
• Proven ability in writing and editing, with strong English language drafting skills.
• IT proficiency – particularly MS Office, including Outlook and PowerPoint.

Desirable:

• Experience working on defence and security and/or migration
• Experience working on soft power
• Degree in communications, journalism or a related field
• Prior experience of working in an international, multicultural organisation.
• Experience in generating digital content, working closely with photographers, video makers and others to produce material for digital media.
• Experience building the capability and capacity of others to deliver effective communications products