Senior Director of Strategic Communications

New Yesterday

Senior Director of Strategic Communications

Location: Oxford (Hybrid)

About Us

Oxford Nanopore Technologies: Our goal is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. The company has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for faster, information rich, accessible and affordable molecular analysis. The first application is DNA/RNA sequencing, and the technology is in development for the analysis of other types of molecules including proteins. The technology is used to understand and characterise the biology of humans and diseases such as cancer, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, and whole environments. With a thriving culture of ambition and strong innovation goals, Oxford Nanopore is a UK headquartered company with global operations and customers in more than 125 countries.

The Role

We are seeking a highly experienced and visionary Senior Director of Strategic Communications to lead and evolve our corporate communications strategy. As we scale globally, this senior leader will drive communications programmes that protect and enhance our reputation with stakeholders across life sciences research, clinical, biopharma, and applied industries.

Sitting within the Corporate & External Affairs team, this role collaborates closely with commercial, marketing, HR, legal, investor relations, and business development to deliver timely and impactful communication. A key aspect of this role is modernising communications strategies in an evolving media landscape shaped by AI. The ideal candidate will be adept at integrating owned and earned content strategies, ensuring the company’s voice is trusted, its purpose clear, and its value deeply understood. The role leads a compact team

Key Responsibilities

  • Update and further develop and lead a global corporate communications strategy aligned to business priorities
  • Oversee reputation and stakeholder engagement programmes across media, digital, and influencer channels
  • Develop content strategies including further development of corporate narrative library and thematic thought leadership (nb this role works closely with marketing teams)
  • Lead team to Manage company-wide newsflow and announcement calendar
  • Lead team on media relations and manage agency strategy and partnerships
  • Collaborate on integrated content strategies to ensure consistent brand messaging
  • Partner with investor relations and legal on financial communications and disclosure
  • Team owns the sustainability report and contributes to the annual report, aligned to ESG priorities
  • Lead issues management including preparedness, response, and post-event comms
  • Drive internal communications strategy in collaboration with HR and senior leadership
  • Act as a strategic advisor to senior executives on messaging, risk, and positioning
  • Represent communications in cross-functional initiatives and contribute to the wider Corporate & External Affairs agenda

    • About You

    Essential Experience

  • Senior-level communications experience in life sciences, biotech, healthcare or potentially technology-driven sectors
  • Track record of building integrated communications strategies that support complex business goals
  • Proven success in reputation management, media relations, executive comms and internal engagement
  • Skilled in narrative development and content strategies for global audiences
  • Deep understanding of AI's impact on the media landscape and communication channels
  • Strong leadership, team management, and cross-functional collaboration skills
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities
  • Experience working in fast-paced, high-growth, innovation-led environments
  • Buckets of charm that helps us align teams around complex issues

    • Desirable Experience

  • Experience in financial communications and public company reporting
  • Familiarity with ESG reporting and sustainability communications
  • Expertise in issues and crisis management, with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset

    • If you’re a forward-thinking communications leader with a passion for innovation, storytelling, and strategic reputation building, we’d love to hear from you.

    Apply now to help shape the next chapter of Oxford Nanopore’s global story.

    Apply
    Location:
    Oxford
    Job Type:
    FullTime

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