The British Academy
Public Affairs Officer
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The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking 2x Public Affairs Officers to join our Media and Public Affairs team in the Communications and Engagement Directorate, providing key support in the delivery of our public affairs function.
ROLE PURPOSE
The post-holder(s) will play a central role in the work of the Public Affairs team, at an exciting time for the British Academy as we seek to extend and deepen our reach and influence with parliamentarians, Government, policymakers and other key stakeholders.
- You will own and deliver influencing activities - independently and in collaboration with colleagues - that will build the Academy’s profile and increase awareness of the value and importance of the Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts (SHAPE) amongst our audience.
- You will work with Public Affairs colleagues to monitor external developments, horizon-scanning and pursuing opportunities for the Academy to be bold and proactive in engaging stakeholders.
An experienced public affairs professional, you will have a good level of UK political knowledge, including of the Devolved Nations and local and regional structures. You understand the range of tactics that can be used to influence Parliament and Government and will apply this knowledge to develop and deliver public affairs strategies that engage parliamentarians and key stakeholders with the Academy’s work.
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You will be able to communicate and work effectively with colleagues across the Academy and a range of external stakeholders, including parliamentarians and their staff.
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You will help to build and strengthen stakeholder relationships and deliver an effective public affairs function for the Academy.
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You will be highly organised and able to plan and manage a varied workload.
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You will use your editorial and political judgement to produce high-quality outputs - from communications materials to events - that will showcase the Academy’s evidence base and policy insights to stakeholders, helping to turn engagement into influence.
OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Influencing and public affairs activities
- Develop and deliver public affairs strategies that will engage parliamentarians and key stakeholders with Academy policy work and enhance the Academy’s profile as a voice for the humanities and social sciences.
- Working with the Public Affairs Manager and wider Academy colleagues, build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders across Westminster to extend and deepen our supporter base e.g. by facilitating and attending bilateral meetings.
- Work with Public Affairs colleagues to identify and liaise with Academy staff, appropriate funded researchers and Fellows who can be mobilised in support of parliamentary engagement and influencing activities.
- Support the Public Affairs Manager to coordinate joint influencing work with the other national academies, learned societies and peer organisations.
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Communication and Events
- Identify opportunities and own the production of timely, accessible external communications - e.g. briefings, letters, digests or trialling new formats - that will showcase the Academy’s evidence base, insights and the importance of SHAPE disciplines to parliamentarians and key stakeholders.
- Work closely with Public Affairs and wider Academy colleagues to develop and deliver high-quality events – including trialling new event formats – that will attract a parliamentary and key influencer audience. This includes supporting cross-Academy conferences, roundtables and our annual Ideas Festival.
- Support the Public Affairs Manager to coordinate party conference engagement.
- Ensure that public affairs activities, communications and events align with the Academy’s EDI Strategy.
Monitoring and Intelligence
- Proactively horizon-scan, monitor and maintain up to date knowledge relevant to the Academy, our disciplines and the Higher Education and Research and Development sectors, providing timely summaries and analysis to colleagues. Recommend and pursue opportunities to engage with parliamentary business.
- Prepare and contribute to briefing materials for internal stakeholders, in support of effective stakeholder engagement.
- Represent The British Academy at external events and network meetings, feeding back intelligence, updates and analysis to colleagues.
Administration
- Support the Public Affairs Manager across their responsibilities, including deputising whenever necessary.
- Help carry out the day-to-day and ad hoc administration of the Public Affairs team, including management of the rolling media and public affairs planning tools, and the monitoring and evaluation of public affairs activity.
- Contribute to the development of how the Public Affairs team uses Salesforce in its work. Refine best practice, gather feedback, help to spot emerging training needs, and foster knowledge sharing and collaboration.
- Contribute to the wider activity of the Communications and Engagement team, as appropriate, and undertake any other duties reasonably required to support the Academy.
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Key Stakeholders
Internal: Media and Public Affairs team; Communications and Marketing and Events teams; Director of Communications and Engagement; Policy, International and Research Funding teams; Chief Executive and President; Development team ; Fellows of the British Academy
External: Parliamentary stakeholders, from across the United Kingdom; Higher Education and Research and Development community; GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) stakeholders; Funders; National Academies
ROLE REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONS
There are no specific qualification requirements for this role.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
- Works and communicates effectively
- Personal commitment to the values, vision and objectives of the British Academy.
- A team player who works collaboratively and communicates effectively with colleagues.
- High level interpersonal skills, able to communicate effectively with people at all levels.
- Tact and discretion.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills
- Demonstrable understanding of influencing tactics in Parliament and Government.
- Experience of public affairs work or work in Parliament or Government
- Good level of political knowledge, including of the Devolved Nations and local and regional political structures.
- Good knowledge and understanding of a wide range of communications tactics.
- Excellent writing and editing skills, and a strong instinctive political judgement.
- Good listening skills.
PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING
- Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives
- Ability to work on own initiative.
- Manages time and resources effectively.
- Strong planning, organising and negotiating skills.
PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING
- Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach
- Demonstrates a pro-active, can-do attitude and takes ownership of tasks where appropriate.
- Handles difficult situations calmly, with sensitivity and respect.
- Demonstrates commitment to high quality service and efficiency in all aspects of the organisation’s operations.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Participate in the delivery and attendance of events necessitating working earlier or later than usual.
MUST BE COMMITTED TO THE BRITISH ACADEMY'S WORKPLACE VALUES OF:
- COLLABORATION, CREATIVITY, EMPATHY, EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY, RESILIENCE AND RESPECT
Role closes to applications on 24 July 2026
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