Senior Communications Officer

Location: Oxford Population Health (Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford), Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF

Oxford Population Health (Nuffield Department of Population Health) contains world-renowned population health research groups and provides an excellent environment for multi-disciplinary research and teaching. The department has around 1000 staff, students and academic visitors working in a number of world-renowned population health research groups to investigate the causes and prevention of disease and lead human health forward.

The Department is seeking to recruit a Senior Communications Officer to join its Communications Team and help enhance and maintain the reputation of the department and maximise the visibility and impact of its research. Working closely with the Director of Communications and Public Engagement, the post holder will develop and coordinate communications activities that support the department’s strategic objectives, with a particular focus on media relations. The role will engage a wide range of audiences, including staff, students, clinicians, funders, policy-makers, researchers, trial participants and members of the public.

You will act as the primary focal point for the department’s media relations activities, coordinating major announcements and working closely with research groups to identify newsworthy research and maximise the impact of research findings. You will create, edit and proofread communications materials for broad audiences, including press releases, newsletters, website and social media content, fundraising materials and briefings. You will also build relationships with journalists, partner press offices and policy-makers; support researchers with media engagement and training; contribute to innovative multi-channel campaigns; and ensure communications are consistent with departmental brand and style guidelines. The role will also involve monitoring media coverage, producing performance metrics and developing effective approaches to evaluating communications activity.

You will be educated to degree level or equivalent and have relevant experience in a communications and/or media management role. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential, together with the ability to communicate complex scientific and technical information clearly to non-specialist audiences. You will have strong interpersonal, research and analytical skills, the ability to establish effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and the ability to work independently, take initiative and manage competing priorities and deadlines.

In return we offer an excellent benefits package including:

•    38 days annual leave (pro rata for part time)
•    Hybrid working
•    An excellent contributory pension scheme
•    Childcare services
•    Family leave schemes
•    Cycle and electric car loan schemes
•    Employee Assistance Programme
•    Membership to social and sports clubs
•    Discounted bus travel and travel loans
•    Weekly coffee and cake mornings, and social events throughout the year

The post is full-time (part-time considered) and fixed-term for 1 year.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 21 September 2026.

You will be required to upload a CV and a cover letter as part of your online application. The cover letter should clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description.

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