Public Affairs Officer

The post-holder plays a significant role in building relationships with politicians, government, civil servants, think tanks and other key stakeholders to ensure that UUK’s strategic priorities and activities inform influential audiences in the most effective way. The Public Affairs Officer also plays an important part in monitoring, understanding and amending relevant legislation. You’ll also be ensuring that higher education is visible across the political spectrum, at a time of political change. 

Activities include briefing our Chief Executive, President and Board members ahead of political meetings, often attending these meetings alongside senior representatives; organising and attending UUK events related to our political priorities; drafting parliamentary questions and briefings for MPs and Peers on ahead of debates in Parliament; influencing legislation by drafting amendments and finding galvanising parliamentarians; drafting communications plans for key UUK campaigns. 

We are looking for someone with sound political instinct and parliamentary nous who can spot opportunities to champion universities. You’ll need to be organised, proactive and write well for a range of audiences – and bring your passion for higher education.  

The working pattern for this role is Monday – Friday, usual office hours. This is a full-time role, and the team will be flexible with you where possible. You will also be expected to work outside those hours occasionally to attend events, for example, and to travel overnight for party political conferences. The post holder will be able to choose to work a mixture of in the UUK office in central London and at home, however they must be available to attend the office when required for core business reasons. 

Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 05 August 2026 or Thursday 06 August 2026, to be confirmed. 

Universities UK (UUK) is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join UUK.

Find out more about working at UUK and our equality, diversity and inclusion action plan on our website.

Universities UK operates a hybrid working framework involving the opportunity to work from home and in the office.  There will be a small number of roles where employees will be required to work from an office, but typically the majority of employees will be able to work remotely on average 60% of their working week.  All employees are welcome to use their contractual office for their whole working week if that is their preference.  

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