PR & Communications Manager

Join the University of East London – Shaping Futures for 125 Years

Founded in 1898, the University of East London (UEL) changes lives through inclusive, practice-based education. We are an anchor institution in east London with a global outlook, focused on reimagining the role of higher education in support of a healthier, fairer and more sustainable world. Our campuses are in Stratford and the Royal Albert Dock, and our 40,000 students represent over 160 nationalities.

UEL has undergone an exciting transformation over the last several years which has resulted in national and international recognition. We were shortlisted for University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards in 2025 and 2023; named The Times & The Sunday Times University of the Year for Teaching Quality 2025; and rose 80 places in three years, entering the top 40 in 2026, in the Guardian University Guide league table.

UEL is now celebrating our Year of Health, which focuses on tackling health inequalities, promoting health and wellbeing and driving forward innovation in healthcare, centred around the opening of a new state-of-the-art, community-focused Health Campus in Stratford.

We need forward-thinking, innovative and driven individuals to join our community and help us continue to craft an exciting future. As part of the Communications Team, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people who share a passion for creating positive change. We’re an inclusive and welcoming community that is constantly moving forward, never satisfied with the status quo.

About the Job

The PR and Communications Manager is a key role within the University’s PR team, responsible for acting as the strategic partner and PR lead for 1-2 academic Schools. You will be responsible for proactively generating positive media coverage by embedding yourself in your School to identify, craft, and pitch press releases and stories that highlight UEL’s research and impact to national and international media. 

You will have a strong understanding of the news agenda, proven success in media relations and a network of existing media contacts (ideally within health, business or law).  This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills and expertise in leveraging social and digital platforms to amplify media coverage and storytelling.

This is a highly visible role requiring positive engagement with a variety of stakeholders. You will have excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong collaborative relationships. We are looking for someone who is a self-starter and can produce results in a fast-paced work environment with a number of key priorities. This is a key role in promoting the University of East London across the media. 

About you

• Demonstrated ability to design, implement and measure high-impact PR strategies that successfully generate positive, proactive media coverage for complex subjects (e.g., research)
• Exceptional skill in translating complex, academic information into captivating, accurate and audience-specific written communications, including thought leadership, opinion pieces, press releases, and compelling digital content
• Clear ability to design and implement effective strategies across social media and internal communications, ensuring PR content is amplified to maximise reach, engagement and reputation
• Strong existing media contacts (preferably within the health, business or law sectors) coupled with a proactive, proven ability  to build and nurture new relationships with key national and international journalists
• Demonstrated ability to identify, generate, and maintain close, collaborative relationships with academics, school leadership and internal stakeholders to continuously uncover and develop newsworthy stories and expert commentary opportunities
• A passion for relationship building and the communication skills necessary to influence and advise academic experts and internal partners effectively
• A strategic mindset combined with the proven ability to be a self-starter, deliver results effectively, and manage a number of key projects.
• A strong understanding of the news and the ability to position the University's work as relevant and impactful within this context

Benefits Package

At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It’s about the complete package, including our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture.

We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits.

You can explore our full benefits package here: https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-positions

Building an Inclusive Future 

UEL is an inclusive equal opportunities employer and is proud of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion achievements, including a zero gender pay gap, membership in Stonewall, and winning Athena Swan awards. We expect all UEL employees to accept our EDI policy and will not tolerate discrimination in any form.

We're a disability confident employer and value all applications. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

If you're ready to join a University that values your outstanding skills and perspectives and is dedicated to making a difference, we invite you to explore a career with us. We are excited to welcome versatile individuals who are committed to advancing their careers while making a positive impact on the world.

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the deadline if we receive many applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

To contact the recruitment team please phone +44 20 8223 3000 x 4600 or e-mail jobs@uel.ac.uk

CVs without a completed application form will not be accepted.

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.