Senior Public Affairs Officer

Paisley Campus (with travel to other campuses as necessary)

Senior Public Affairs Officer

Full time: 35 hours per week

Fixed Term: 12 months

The University of West of Scotland has an exciting opportunity to join the Marketing and Student Recruitment team as a Senior Public Affairs Officer on a 12-month fixed term basis. As Senior Public Affairs Officer, you will develop and deliver projects and programmes and build relationships to inform and influence local, regional and national policymakers, and protect and enhance the University’s reputation.

The post-holder will play an essential role in increasing UWS’s influence on public policy and discourse.

The successful applicant will engage and build productive and effective relationships with key target stakeholders and partners. They will work with the wider Communications team and engage with colleagues across the institution to deliver the University’s Strategy 2030, and develop a plan of strategic stakeholder communications activities aligned to and in support of the University’s overall mission, objectives and strategy.

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, or at least two years of experience in a public affairs role.
• Proven track record of successful project management, delivery and evaluation of public affairs campaigns.
• Proficient in reputation management.
• Experience in a public affairs and/or policy-based environment.
• Skilled in producing briefings for internal and external stakeholders.
• An understanding of establishing and managing effective relationships with external stakeholders.
• Previous experience of working with national, regional or local government partners to deliver activities or projects.

We offer our staff a caring and supportive environment, across five campuses, and a competitive benefits package which includes:

• 24 days of annual leave, plus a further 12 days for public/university holidays
• Additional day leave on your birthday
• Defined benefit contribution pension scheme (including death in service benefits upon joining the scheme)
• A flexible approach to working pattern and work-life balance
• Fitness facilities across our campuses
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing resources, including occupational health, physiotherapy and access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional, career and research development opportunities.

UWS is committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant. UWS is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups. UWS is a “Disability Confident” employer.

University of the West of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no. SC002520