Crisis activity centre manager jobs in edinburgh

Terms: 30 hours per week / 0.8 FTE, 4 days per week; two year contract with possibility for extension

Salary: £41,200 - £56,650

Location: Remote working and quarterly in-person team away days.

Line Manager: Executive Director

Please note that you must have the right to work in the UK. 

Closing Date: 4th January 2026

About BASIC

BASIC is an independent, non-profit think tank working to safeguard humanity and Earth's ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats, for generations to come. Our vision is for a global security consensus founded on multilateralism, the recognition of the indivisibility of security, adherence to Earth's planetary boundaries, and consideration of future generations.

For nearly 40 years, we have built a global reputation for groundbreaking dialogue and incisive thought leadership to strengthen international peace and security. We are an intellectually and culturally diverse team of 20 expert-practitioners with deep institutional experience, headquartered in London with additional presences in Berlin and Rome. We are independent, receive no core funding from any state, and our project work is funded transparently.

BASIC's approach to resolving contemporary nuclear dynamics is centred on dialogue as both a practice and a philosophy. We interpret dialogue broadly, recognising that meaningful engagement takes many forms: from facilitating direct strategic conversations between adversaries grounded in conflict resolution principles, to developing networks and diplomatic initiatives that build consensus around shared objectives, to shaping the intellectual foundations of policy discourse through rigorous research and thought leadership.

BASIC is a fast-paced and rewarding environment with an exceptionally positive and inclusive team culture. We have experienced rapid growth over the past decade and are well-suited to people who are motivated by our mission, able to work at a sustained pace, keen to develop professionally, and enjoy being part of a collaborative team working on consequential issues.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with room for growth

• 30 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and closure days over the December festive period

• Employer pension contributions of 5% (above the national minimum)

• Flexible working arrangements, with set days (Wednesdays required) but flexibility on hours

• Remote working with option to use co-working space

• 1-2 all-staff in-person team away day per year, as well as other in-person working opportunities

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• Excellent team culture built on respect, openness, and inclusion

The Role

BASIC is seeking an experienced and strategic Communications Manager to lead and implement effective communication strategies that amplify our mission, enhance our brand identity, and strengthen engagement with key audiences. The ideal candidate will have exceptional written and verbal communication skills, a proactive approach to storytelling, and the ability to collaborate across the organisation to ensure clear, consistent, and impactful messaging.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Communications Manager will play a central role in shaping BASIC’s external presence, working across programmes to craft compelling narratives for social media, the website, and other digital platforms, as well as press contacts.

The Communications Manager will be the point of contact for all communication activity and will be responsible for setting the strategy and communicating this to the team. As an organisation, BASIC is keen to develop brand identity, particularly amongst our programmes and the Communications Manager will be instrumental in developing this work. 

Key Responsibilities

Organisational Communications & Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with BASIC’s mission and objectives including a strong link to impact.

• Lead the evolution of our social media strategy, ensuring increased engagement and impact.

• Develop and implement strategic online communication plans to enhance BASIC’s digital presence, ensuring consistent and engaging messaging across all platforms.

• Oversee BASIC’s branding and identity development, ensuring consistency across programmes and platforms. This includes: organisational brand asset, image, review and refresh.

• Act as BASIC’s press officer, managing media engagement, journalistic contacts, and public relations.

• Plan and execute BASIC’s website redevelopment strategy, including better functionality for fundraising efforts and overseeing all aspects of website content/management.

• Draft, edit, and manage organisational newsletters using MailChimp/MailerLite, ensuring clear, engaging, and audience-focused content that aligns with BASIC’s communications strategy.

• Provide communications training to staff, fostering a culture of shared responsibility for communications.

• Create promotional materials to advance BASIC’s initiatives.

• Strengthen BASIC’s internal and external communications, ensuring alignment with key stakeholders.

Programme Responsibilities

• Develop and execute tailored communications plans for specific programmes, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and effective audience engagement.

• Collaborate with programme teams to create and distribute engaging content that highlights programme achievements and key messages

• Work with programme teams to define the strategy, vision and purpose of newsletters

• Coordinate programme events (virtual and in-person), in terms of communications outreach to increase visibility and structuring of success stories

• Support the creation of digital content (social media posts, website updates, videos, etc.) to promote programme activities and initiatives

• Assist with publishing programme reports including proofing and providing guidance for branding and imagery 

• Provide communications support for programme fundraising activities

• Monitor and analyse communications impact across programmes, using feedback and data to suggest improvements and ensure messaging is reaching the right audiences

• Help to manage relationships with key stakeholders for each programme by ensuring ongoing engagement and support for programme objectives

• Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all programme communications to maintain coherence with the organisation's overall identity

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Marketing, Education, Business, Fundraising)
• 8+ years of working in a communications role
• Knowledge of global security or related issues with linkage to UK policy
• Proven experience in developing and implementing communication strategies aligned with organisational goals and objectives
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling messages
• Ability to generate innovative ideas and content that engage target audiences and enhance brand visibility
• Strong networking and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating communication impact through media coverage, engagement metrics, and analytics. Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and identify areas for improvement.
• Strong collaborative skills with the ability to work effectively across teams to ensure consistent messaging and brand representation.
• Keen eye for detail with a commitment to accuracy and quality in all communications materials

Desirable:

• Experience in crisis communications, including drafting statements and managing sensitive issues.

Why Join BASIC?

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the communications strategy of a respected international security think tank. If you are a creative, strategic, and proactive communicator who thrives in a collaborative environment, we’d love to hear from you.