Deputy Head of Communications & Public Relations

The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future.

The Communications and Marketing Directorate is responsible for raising the profile of the Academy among a wide range of audiences. The Directorate is organised into four small teams but is a collaborative and integrated team working closely together on all aspects of our work. The four teams are Digital, Brand and Marketing, Events, News and Public Affairs and Publishing.

The Communications and Public Affairs Team manages the British Academy’s profile and relationships with people of influence in politics and the media, making sure that these people and the general public understand the organisation’s purpose and ambitions.

The role holder will be responsible for increasing awareness and positive perceptions of the British Academy as the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. As well as managing the press office and securing media coverage for the Academy’s policy and research work, this post will be responsible for delivering integrated communications and PR campaigns as the Academy enters a new phase of its strategic plan and opens its doors to its newly refurbished building for events and other activities.

This post will also oversee stakeholder relations activity aimed at developing relationships with high profile individuals, ‘friends’ of the Academy and with the arts and cultural sectors.

The Academy’s policy teams, its Fellows and researchers cover a wide range of topics. One day you might be convening a network of advocates for our subjects, another approaching features editors about an archaeological discovery one of our researchers has made and the next supporting development colleagues to fundraise for our work. Because there is such breadth, we are looking for someone with a discerning eye and who is able to get into complex content quickly.

The Academy offers 34 days of annual holiday (not including bank holidays), excellent benefits (including a defined benefit pension scheme) and one of the best locations in London.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: 12:00pm GMT Monday 30 May 2022

All applications received after the closing date will not be reviewed.

Candidates who are shortlisted will be notified by the Friday 10 June 2022.

If you do not hear from us by this date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Interviews will take place on Thursday 16 June 2022.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion statement

As a key part of our People Strategy, the British Academy is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment, promoting equal opportunity, and addressing under-representation. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We will make reasonable adjustments to support applicants with a disability and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria.