Director of Policy and Communications

At Beam, you get to do work that really matters. We’re solving the world’s toughest social problems. And we’re growing fast 🚀

It’s not easy. Nothing worth doing ever is. But we take care of everyone who works here with everything from coaching to personal budgets and pay highly competitively. 

You’ll be joining a company that’s having a huge impact on people’s lives with a culture where you can be yourself, have fun and progress rapidly. 

About the role

Despite the technological breakthroughs of the last 50 years, welfare services remain largely analogue, defined by in-person support provided by overwhelmed caseworkers.

Beam believes it's possible to use tech and AI to build a world in which welfare services become wildly cheaper and higher quality.

This is a unique opportunity to work hand in glove with the Co-Founder of Beam to shape the conversation around welfare within central and local government and the civil service.

This individual would excel at storytelling with human stories alongside data to persuade and excite those responsible that it’s time for transformative change to come to welfare services.

You’ll be a true communications all-rounder, defining messaging, brainstorming creative PR stories, building strong relationships with media and hustling to secure coverage, rolling out a public affairs strategy from scratch - and more!

Your legacy will be Beam’s ability to reach the millions of people currently underserved by traditional welfare while redefining what’s possible in the eyes of governments around the world.

You’ll be

Leading the strategy and execution of a roadmap that includes:

• Developing and maintaining a 6-month rolling roadmap that covers how Beam can lead the conversation around AI and welfare
  
• Securing high-impact coverage in Tier 1 and other UK media, and over time in global news publications that spotlights Beam’s work and technology
  
• Leading public affairs engagement, including creating a target list of political targets and securing meetings with them
  
• Nerding out on policy and defining policy goals around how to shape the conversation in a way that positions Beam for growth
  
• Organising speaking slots and roundtable discussions with senior officials that get and keep Beam front of mind for key targets
  
• Leading and measuring other marketing and comms initiatives relevant to government
  
  

You are

• Passionate about using tech to transform how government can raise the bar on services for those left behind
  
• Player/Coach - owning and building a high-performing function from scratch - you’re entrepreneurial and like defining your priorities
  
• Detail orientated - someone who loves to get into the detail of government policy and understands how decisions get made and welfare programmes get commissioned
  
• A natural networker - with a strong creative streak who can frequently develop new ideas for exciting stories
  
• Goal Driven - able to work with discipline to ambitious targets and be a bar raiser to direct reports and others
  
• Experienced in the tech ecosystem - getting your hands dirty in a fast-moving startup, whether cold-pitching journalists or spinning up a simple and elegant ops process
  
• A curious learner - constantly seeks to expand and deepen your knowledge of government and welfare services
  
  

About Beam

We’re a team of over 150 working from our beautiful co-working space in Shoreditch and from home. We’ve picked up an armful of awards for our work (including one from our former Queen!) We’re one of the 10 hottest startups in London, according to WIRED magazine and one of LinkedIn’s Top 15 UK Startups for 2022. We’re also proud to be rated a top company to work for by Escape the City, Tempo and The Dots.

We’re committed to hiring diversely and inclusively. You don’t need a degree to work here and we love to hear from global majority candidates and/or those who’ve experienced social disadvantage. 53% of the people we support are from global majority backgrounds and 17% have disabilities. We believe we serve these people best when we’re a diverse and inclusive team.

Our benefits

• Salary of £90k-120k per annum – highly competitive in the tech for good and social enterprise space
• EMI-qualifying share options
• On-demand therapy, coaching, classes & content - powered by Oliva
• Annual company retreat 
• New laptop – choose between a MacBook Air or PC
• £500 personal development budget
• 1:1 workplace coaching with More Happi
• Regular team talks from leading UK tech entrepreneurs
• Free subscription to Calm meditation app
• Discounted bike and accessories with Cyclescheme
• Discounted tech products with Techscheme
• Unlimited holiday (we recommend ~25 days + Bank Holidays per year)
• Your own financial wellbeing coach through Bippit 

Application process

We have a 4-stage interview process, giving you plenty of time to learn about Beam while we get to know you.

1. 1-1 meetings with both cofounders
2. Timed tasks that simulate relevant aspects of the day-to-day role
3. Presentation to senior stakeholders on a strategic challenge
4. 3 x 1-1 meetings with other Beamers

Feeling excited? 

Start your journey to a more impactful career today. We're excited to hear from you.