Communications & Engagement Lead: Future Proofing our Climate & Weather
ARIA
Temporary
On-site
London London GB
£90,000 GBP yearly
Communications & Engagement Lead: Future Proofing our Climate & Weather
Application Deadline: 30 September 2025
Department: Programmes
Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract
Location: London
Reporting To: Mark Symes
Compensation: £90,000 / year
Description
Communications & Engagement Lead: Future Proofing our Climate & Weather
Salary: c. £90,000
Location: Kings X, London; Tues - Thurs (3 days) at HQ, Monday + Friday, anywhere
Employment Type: Fixed term contract - 2 years
Closing Date: 30.09.25 with possible extension
ARIA Summary
ARIA is a new kind of R&D funding agency. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible. From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on.
ARIA is a new kind of R&D funding agency. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible. From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on.
We are growing our team to develop bold new approaches that can scale – from programmes to systems, processes and everything in between. If that sounds fun, come and build ARIA with us.
Learn more about how we work here.
Role Summary
Rising global temperatures increase the likelihood of crossing climate tipping points – abrupt and potentially irreversible shifts in the Earth’s climate system. While decarbonisation is the only sustainable way to reduce the risk of triggering these events in the long term, our current warming trajectory already makes a number of tipping points distinctly possible over the next century.
The Future Proofing our Climate and Weather opportunity space (and the Exploring Climate Cooling programme that sits within that opportunity space) is exploring whether ethical and governable interventions to prevent tipping points, or adaptations to adjust to a post tipping point climate, could be possible, by funding research to answer critical questions on how such approaches could work and what their regional and global effects might be.
There is a crucial need for objective and trustworthy science in this area to better understand these proposed approaches. There is also a crucial need for the translation of complex and potentially ethically challenging information into compelling, accessible narratives for a diverse range of audiences, including policymakers, the media, the public, and the scientific community.
The Future Proofing our Climate and Weather Comms and Engagement Lead will be embedded within our Programme Director (PD) Mark Symes' team. They will be responsible for defining and delivering comms strategies for engaging these diverse audiences. The ideal candidate will be a thought partner to the PD and their team, with the ability to exercise sound judgment, bring nuance to complex topics, and help us set a new global standard for how this research is done - transparently, responsibly, and for the public benefit. This person will also be the primary interlocutor between the programme team and wider core ARIA teams supporting the programme with communications and policy.
What you'll do
- Develop and deliver a cohesive communications plan for the Exploring Climate Cooling programme that ties together all external-facing activities, including: public engagement, the work of the Oversight Committee, media engagement, and proactive efforts to showcase the programme’s role in setting a global standard for transparent, responsible research
- Develop and deliver a comms plans for the wider Future Proofing our Climate and Weather opportunity space, including for future projects funded through this opportunity space
- Work closely with ARIA’s wider Comms and Engagement team to develop and deliver comms plans for any new programmes or other funding calls that might emerge
- Work closely with ARIA’s wider Comms and Engagement team to draft and manage all public-facing communications for programmes and other funding calls within this opportunity space, including producing core narratives and materials, and preparing reactive FAQs and briefing lines to address emerging questions or issues
- Advise funded project teams (“Creators”) supported through the programme and the wider opportunity space on the development of their own comms plans, and advise on the delivery of those plans where appropriate
- When necessary, and in consultation with the wider ARIA Comms & Engagement team, assist Creator teams supported through the programme and the wider opportunity space with responding to inbound media enquires
- Oversee all creator engagement initiatives, from reviewing engagement plans/activities and offering constructive feedback, to managing our external training provider, ensuring all activities align with broader communications strategies
- Work closely with the programme’s policy lead to ensure alignment on engagement plans and messaging
- Provide regular updates to the independent Exploring Climate Cooling programme Oversight Committee on comms and engagement matters across the programme and the wider opportunity space
- Oversee the design and maintenance of the opportunity space webpage (and the webpages for the programmes running in this space) so that ARIA’s commitment to transparency in its work in this space can be actioned
Who You Are
Essential Criteria
- Significant involvement in a senior communications role in an in-house or agency setting, including extensive period in climate or a closely related field
- Proficient in driving proactive comms campaigns and handling reactive issues
- Extensive media relations and rapid-response comms exposure
- Proven ability to remain calm, exercise rigorous judgment, and bring nuance and careful consideration to highly complex topics
- Expert in defining and executing comms + engagement strategies under tight deadlines
- Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific concepts into plain language for a variety of audiences
- Passion for climate science and a commitment to advancing evidence-based approaches
- An understanding of the complex societal, ethical, and governance issues that exist within this research landscape
Desirable Criteria
- A strong, existing network of influential contacts in climate science, policy, and media, particularly in the field of climate interventions
- Proven teamwork and people management skills
- Background in local community/grassroots engagement activities e.g.community organiser, working with councils, political campaign organiser etc.
- Skilled in digital communications, including content creation and management of social media platforms
Benefits
- 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
- Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home
- A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
- 2 days of paid volunteer days
- 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
- Cycle to Work scheme
- An excellent office location in Kings X, London
Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don’t worry. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to this, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interests and what you hope to bring to this role.
If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.