Director of Communications, Marketing & Public Affairs - AD2924

Start Date: As soon as possible.

The University of St Andrews is seeking a visionary and experienced public relations leader to serve as its Director of Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs. This senior strategic role will be responsible for shaping and delivering a high quality, and proactive communications, marketing and public affairs service across the University, guiding St Andrews’ voice, reputation, and engagement across local, national, and global platforms. With oversight of strategic communications, brand and marketing, and community relations and political engagement, the successful candidate will play a central role in presenting St Andrews’ values, achievements, and ambitions to a diverse range of audiences. They will articulate the University’s research and teaching credentials, its brand and its clearly differentiated market position, and they will also advise the senior leadership team and provide guidance on reputational opportunity and risk, and sector developments. This is a rare opportunity to shape the narrative and public engagement of one of the world’s most historic, prestigious and forward-looking universities. This role will be primarily based in St Andrews with an expectation of on-site working.

St Andrews offers more than just a place to work it is a place to belong. We value collegiality, inclusion, and wellbeing, and we are committed to creating a workplace where staff can thrive and perform at their best.

In addition to the salary on offer for this position, there are a wide range of benefits for staff working at the University of St Andrews. The package for the Director of Communications Marketing & Public Affairs includes:

• Financial contribution to relocation (subject to eligibility).
• Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution of 14.5%.
• A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies, supporting work-life balance.
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services.
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel.
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme.
• 34 Days Annual Leave plus 5 Public Holidays.

At St Andrews, equality, diversity, and inclusion are central to who we are and form a core pillar of our University Strategy. We are committed to creating a fair, inclusive and supportive workplace, reflected in our participation in national diversity charters and awards, including Athena Swan, Carer Positive and the Race Equality Charter.

We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian, minority ethnic and minority religions backgrounds and from LGBTQ+ and disabled people.

Closing Date: 30 November 2026

Please quote ref: AD2924LS

Job Description: AD2924LSFPs.pdf

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