Public Affairs Officer

This is a rare opportunity to join a high-performing advocacy team, working with 24 leading UK universities. We’re looking for an outstanding Public Affairs Officer to support all aspects of our public affairs activity. 

Through collaboration and advocacy, the Russell Group works to advance and champion the positive economic, societal and cultural contributions of our universities. The Russell Group represents the interests of our 24 university members at the highest level of government, as well as with key research and innovation funders, with business, third-sector partners, regulators, and internationally with like-minded bodies. 

The Public Affairs Officer will: 

• Have a clear understanding of government, parliament and political parties in a changing political environment, and the importance of the Russell Group’s wider community. 
• Build a good understanding of Russell Group and higher education policy priorities to communicate these confidently. 
• Support the Head of Public Affairs to maintain and grow political and stakeholder networks, coordinate meetings, and prepare briefings and de-briefs. 
• Develop new networks that support Russell Group objectives. 
• Support Russell Group responses to parliamentary legislation affecting universities, including lobbying MPs, Peers, civil servants, advisers and influential third parties. 
• Draft briefings for external stakeholder meetings and support policy colleagues to ensure consistent key messages externally. 
• Support Russell Group’s parliamentary activity, including monitoring debates, inquiries and consultations, drafting parliamentary questions and mapping key stakeholders. 
• Support the development of advocacy positions showing how our universities can help deliver political stakeholders’ priorities and promote the positive impact of high-quality higher education and research. 
• Develop relationships with public affairs teams in member institutions and other organisations. 

Applicants should demonstrate the following: 

• Ability to quickly grasp complex policy issues and translate them into clear, persuasive messages for and stakeholder audiences.
• Good understanding of UK politics, policymaking and Parliament, and how to engage effectively with parliamentarians and stakeholders across the political spectrum.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to produce outputs for different audiences. 
• Experience of supporting public affairs activity, stakeholder engagement or advocacy campaigns. 
• Excellent political nous, judgement and awareness of complex policy positions, with the ability to develop advocacy positions and represent the organisation credibly. 
• Knowledge of the HE sector would be an advantage. 

A Candidate Pack, which includes the full vacancy description, can be found via the 'Apply' button above.

Our offices are based in Westminster, but we offer flexibility for staff to work from home up to two days a week, subject to priorities.

Benefits include: 

• Membership of USS pension scheme
• 25 days of Annual Leave at start, rising to 30 days
• Additional Easter and Christmas closure days
• Private healthcare insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme 

The starting salary is £40,000-£45,000, dependent on skills and experience. A higher salary may be available for exceptional and highly experienced candidates. 

Closing date: 17:00, Wednesday, 7 October 2026 

In-person interviews will be held in early November 2026.  NB: the anticipated start date for this role is 11 January 2027. 

To apply, please visit our Careers site (via the 'Apply' button above) and submit the following: 

1) An up-to-date CV, 2 sides of A4 covering:

• current and past employment
• degree qualifications including subjects / grades
• two references                                                                              

2) A cover letter, max. 2 sides of A4, explaining:

• how your knowledge, skills and experience meet our requirements
• why you are interested in working for the Russell Group 

Further information: https://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/

Advert information