Open to opportunities

Julia Maclachlan

@juliamaclachlan

Message

Strategic communications consultant building trust and driving organisational change

United Kingdom

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek senior communications roles in purpose-driven organisations to lead narrative strategy, stakeholder engagement and video-first campaigns that build trust during change in a collaborative, mission-focused environment.

I am a strategic communications consultant who helps higher education and mission-driven organisations build trust, alignment and momentum during periods of change. I bridge leadership strategy and creative delivery to shift perception and earn trust.

PhD-qualified and experienced in complex systems, I have led ten-year strategies and launched award-recognised campaigns that transformed institutional communications cultures across public and multinational environments. I combine narrative strategy with video-first content and behavioural insight to drive action.

In leadership communications roles I have designed and delivered cross-channel engagement programmes, led stakeholder alignment for large-scale transformation and advised senior leadership during moments of crisis. My work has reached 10,000+ stakeholders, produced 500k+ views on flagship formats and lifted staff message open rates from 38% to 50%.

I bring hands-on delivery, calm crisis stewardship and a focus on audience-first storytelling. I seek opportunities where I can lead narrative strategy, embed audience-centred practices and deliver measurable culture and communication shifts across organisations.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Communications and Engagement Manager

Current

University of Manchester

Mar 2024 - Present (1 year 8 months)

Led the President & Vice-Chancellor’s first-year communications strategy and drove the Manchester 2035 engagement programme, reaching 10,000+ stakeholders and increasing staff message open rates from 38% to 50%.

Stakeholder Engagement Crisis Communications

Interim Head of Student Communications

University of Manchester

Sep 2023 - Mar 2024 (6 months)

Directed all communications for a student community of 40,000+, pivoting to a video-and-socials-first strategy that increased engagement by 20% and led a team of 12+.

Student Communications Social Media Strategy Video Content Team Leadership Stakeholder Engagement Crisis Communications Content Planning Analytics

Engagement Manager

University of Manchester

Feb 2021 - Sep 2023 (2 years 7 months)

Designed and led communications and engagement for the Flexible Learning Programme, coordinating a 150-member design group and 20+ cross-institutional workshops to embed student voice at scale.

Stakeholder Engagement Campaign Management Co Creation Student Voice Cross Functional Collaboration

Communications and Marketing Executive

BASF plc

Oct 2013 - Feb 2021 (7 years 4 months)

Planned and delivered integrated communications and marketing campaigns across internal, external, and social channels, supporting digital-first product launches and change communications across European business units.

Marketing Strategy Product Launches Media Relations Content Strategy

Internal Communications Officer

BASF SE

Jan 2012 - Jan 2013 (1 year)

Developed multilingual internal and external content, coordinated global webpages, and produced materials for high-profile international events within the Performance Chemicals division.

Internal Communications Global Web Management Content Production

Freelance Journalist

Freelance

Jan 2009 - Jan 2012 (3 years)

Reported and produced content for national and regional radio stations in Germany, creating interviews, features, and cultural reporting for broadcast audiences.

Journalism Reporting Interviewing Content Editing Storytelling Audio Editing