Research Communications & Public Affairs Manager (Observatory for Mathematical Education)

Location: Jubilee Campus

Are you interested in working with a large and pioneering team to understand and improve the experiences and outcomes of millions of learners in schools, colleges, and universities?

We are looking for a Research Communications and Public Affairs Manager to develop and implement a comprehensive communications and engagement strategy. This new and exciting role will help the Observatory for Mathematical Education to realise its ambitious mission to generate and communicate evidence-driven and policy-relevant research to improve mathematical education, for the benefit of individuals and society.

You will work closely with an outstanding team of academic and operations staff to support a major programme of research that includes educational trials, policy analysis, and multiple longitudinal studies that are planned to run until at least 2031/32.

You will manage the communication of the Observatory’s research to existing and new stakeholders including policymakers, teachers, educational leaders, research funders, and others.

You will carefully monitor and review all aspects of our communications, engagement, and impact activity, producing reports for the leadership team and supporting the Observatory’s strategic planning in this area.

You will be an excellent communicator and a warm and engaging professional who can build relationships autonomously with colleagues at all levels. You must have demonstrable experience of engaging with senior external stakeholders across a variety of settings, ideally including within parliament.

The role will demand the development and application of proven organisational, IT, copywriting, and stakeholder management skills and will involve proactively planning and delivering activities against tight timescales and competing deadlines. You will need to take personal responsibility, have a flexible approach, and think analytically, creatively, and collaboratively to develop opportunities and solve problems.

In return, we offer a competitive employment package to support your wellbeing and professional development. You will receive an excellent choice of benefits and rewards, including a highly attractive pension and holiday allowance (30 days in addition to Bank Holiday and University closure days). This is a hybrid role, with around half the time on Jubilee Campus in Nottingham and some home working, alongside the requirement to attend meetings and events elsewhere, most commonly in London. You will be joining an enthusiastic, collaborative, and supportive team, with senior leaders who prioritise opportunities for individual development alongside team success and celebration.

This is permanent with underlying funding position, available until 17 October 2028. Further funding is expected to extend this role and others to October 2033. Hours of work are full-time (36.25 hours); however, applications are also welcome from candidates wishing to work part-time (minimum 29 hours per week). Please specify in your application if you wish to work part-time and the number of preferred hours.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dawn Holt, dawn.holt@nottingham.ac.uk.

Further details:

We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award.

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We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.

Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration.

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