The University of Sheffield
Director of External Affairs AMRC
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Overview
This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior leader to join the University of Sheffield AMRC's (AMRC) Board at a pivotal moment in the organisation's development, driving high-level external influence and national public affairs for one of the UK's most respected applied research institutions.
The Director of External Affairs is a critical senior leadership role within the AMRC, fundamentally tasked with driving high-level external affairs, political engagement, and policy positioning across Whitehall, Westminster, and key national government bodies. Operating at the strategic intersection of academia, industry, regional leadership, and central government, the postholder will ensure that the core messaging, strategic capabilities, and policy priorities of both the AMRC and the broader University of Sheffield land effectively with key decision-makers across UK Government.
As an innovation powerhouse within both the University of Sheffield and the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult network, the Director will partner closely with the CEO and University Executive Board (UEB) leads to position the AMRC at the heart of His Majesty’s Government’s (HMG) Industrial Strategy. The role will establish high-impact, strategic engagements with UK Government stakeholders, ensuring the University’s wider research impact shapes national industrial policy and funding frameworks. In addition to driving political strategy and external diplomacy, the postholder will oversee and line manage the marketing and communications function to maintain alignment with overarching external affairs objectives.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Government Affairs
- Serve as a core member of the AMRC Board, driving institutional external strategy, political risk management, and strategic policy positioning.
- Lead the development and execution of an overarching UK Government engagement strategy, ensuring that key messaging from both the AMRC and the wider University of Sheffield reaches key decision-makers in Whitehall, ministers, special advisers, and senior civil servants.
- Partner with the CEO, Commercial Director, and University Executive Board leads to position the AMRC as a primary delivery partner for HMG’s Industrial Strategy, securing high-level political buy-in and long-term strategic support.
- Provide line management, line management support, and high-level oversight to the marketing, communications, and STEM engagement teams, ensuring their operational delivery aligns with the agreed strategy.
Whitehall Engagement and Strategic Stakeholder Relations
- Build, cultivate, and sustain trusted, high-level relationships across Whitehall departments (including BIST, MOD, and DESNZ), Treasury officials, Select Committees, and MPs to advance the interests of the AMRC and the broader University.
- Drive high-impact strategic engagements with UK Government, positioning the AMRC and University of Sheffield as go-to technical and policy authorities on advanced manufacturing, industrial transformation, and regional growth.
- Represent the AMRC and University within national policy forums, parliamentary groups, and high-level government-industry taskforces to shape policy directives and funding streams.
- Engage with region civic bodies and ensure alignment between AMRC, local and national policy.
- Lead active collaboration with the University of Sheffield's central public affairs and communications teams to ensure unified, powerful institutional messaging across all central government touchpoints.
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External Positioning, Oversight and engagement
- Oversee the messaging and strategic narrative across external platforms, ensuring that the AMRC’s research excellence, capabilities, and national value are clearly articulated to political and policy stakeholders.
- Line manage the operational marketing and communications leads, providing direction on key media opportunities, high-profile corporate publications, and strategic government-facing events.
- Oversee the AMRC’s external engagement activity in respect of place-based and national skills agendas whilst ensuring alignment with University priorities and emerging strategy on skills.
- Monitor political, legislative, and policy developments across central government to identify strategic risks and proactive opportunities for the AMRC and University.
Organisational Contribution
- Work collaboratively across the AMRC, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult network, and the broader University of Sheffield to advance shared institutional goals and national positioning.
- Lead on external affairs, political engagement, and strategic framing for major funding bids and national initiative proposals.
- Act as a primary political ambassador and spokesperson for the AMRC, representing the institution at key parliamentary events, ministerial visits, and national policy summits.
- Work collaboratively with the University’s Director of Communications and External Relations (CER) to ensure that service delivery of marketing, communications and engagement activities are aligned with institutional strategic priorities and direction.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential Or Desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
- External Affairs & Public Affairs Leadership: Extensive track record of leading high-level external affairs, political engagement, and public affairs strategies within complex, multi-stakeholder organisations.
- Whitehall & UK GOV Engagement: Deep working knowledge of UK Government structures, Whitehall decision-making processes, parliamentary mechanisms, and proven success in engaging ministers, senior civil servants, and policy advisers.
- Strategic Messaging & Positioning: Demonstrated capability to formulate and land compelling institutional messaging across Whitehall, ensuring research and industrial capabilities influence national policy.
- Executive Leadership & Governance: Proven experience operating as a senior executive leader, contributing to collective decision-making, organizational strategy, and risk management.
- Team Management & Line Management: Proven experience line-managing and overseeing multidisciplinary teams (such as communications, marketing, or public affairs), guiding their direction without needing to drive day-to-day tactical execution.
- Ecosystem Navigation: Ability to operate effectively across complex matrix structures, connecting AMRC goals with the broader University of Sheffield and HVM Catapult priorities.
- Industrial Strategy Knowledge: Deep understanding of His Majesty's Government's (HMG) Industrial Strategy, national innovation policy, and funding landscapes.
- STEM & Outreach Oversight: Understanding of community engagement, regional place-based initiatives, or STEM outreach programs.
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Further Information
Grade
P2
Salary
Competitive Senior Executive Salary (Commensurate with experience)
Work arrangement
Full-time / Hybrid options considered
Duration
Permanent
Line manager
AMRC CEO
Direct reports
Head of Communications & Marketing, STEM Outreach Manager
Our website
For Informal Enquiries About This Job Contact:
Debbie Cadman, EA to CEO: d.cadman@amrc.co.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will consist of an interview, stakeholder panel, and an executive presentation detailing your strategy for positioning the AMRC and wider University within Whitehall and HMG's Industrial Strategy. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage two weeks after the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Debbie Cadman, EA to CEO: d.cadman@amrc.co.uk.
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision.
What We Offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes.
Closing Date : 27/10/2026
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
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