Communications and Public Engagement Officer

Royal Academy of Engineering

Length of contract
12 months

About the Organisation

Royal Academy of Engineering is a charity that harnesses the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation, building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together, we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.

With a diverse workforce and an inclusive and supportive culture, we look to attract candidates from a wide and different backgrounds who have a passion for the role engineering plays in society. We aim to make the Academy the best place to work for the staff we have and those we seek to attract.

About the role

We are offering an exciting opportunity to join our public engagement team and contribute to the delivery of the Academy’s public engagement activities, including our highly successful Ingenious grants scheme and public events. You will have an interest in STEM and public engagement and experience in a communications role. You’ll have experience in developing content for a non-specialist audience such as newsletters and case studies. You’ll be creative and proactive but also highly organised, adept at multitasking and able to keep accurate and up-to-date records and monitor projects. You will have excellent written and oral communications skills and enjoy supporting and building effective working relationships with stakeholders.

You will be joining a small and friendly team who work to support engineers and public engagement professionals across the country to deliver innovative and impactful public engagement activities across the UK, as well as supporting the Academy’s own public engagement initiatives, including our annual event Innovation Late, designed to engage new public audiences.

The Communications and Public Engagement Officer will contribute to the successful delivery of the Academy’s public engagement activities, including the Ingenious programme and Innovation Late, as well as associated communication of these activities and other flagship initiatives such as This is Engineering.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Public Engagement Manager with the effective administration of the Ingenious programme using the Academy’s Grant Management System, which may include preparing papers for selection panels; assigning reports for review and collating feedback; and collecting evaluation data.
• Contribute to the delivery of Academy activities including Innovation Late and National Engineering Day and other public engagement events and partnerships, to include generating ideas for content, preparing briefings, attending events, and coordinating staff and speakers.
• Work with the Public Engagement Manager to develop a public engagement network, to include generating newsletter content, liaising with grant holders and alumni to build the Ingenious community, collating learning points and developing public engagement events.
• Support the Head of Media and Engagement in the promotion of wider Academy public engagement, including Awards and Prizes.
• Produce case studies and other media materials related to Ingenious, other public engagement, and Awards.
• To be an ambassador for the Academy’s public engagement activity, representing the Academy at events and developing positive relationships with Ingenious awardees, which may include occasional travel across the UK to visit Ingenious projects in action.
• Carry out other tasks as reasonably requested by the Public Engagement Manager and Head of Media and Engagement
• Ensure all Academy processes and programmes adhere to relevant legislation and organisational policies, including GDPR.
• Maintain compliance in data handling, enrolment procedures, and reporting standards.

Key Results:

• Effective provision of support to the Public Engagement Manager to enable the delivery of programmes to time, to quality and to budget.
• Increased profile of Ingenious and other Academy communications and engagement work in the media and the public engagement community.
• A community of engineers with enhanced communication skills who proactively take part in public engagement activities.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Experience & Qualifications:

• Experience of administrative and support functions
• Events coordination experience
• Experience of creating content, producing e-newsletters, blogs, etc.
• Experience working in public engagement or outreach. 

Knowledge:

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Understanding of traditional and social media
• Understanding of engineering, science and technology

Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Team worker with good interpersonal skills
• Good time management skills

Personal Style & Behaviour:

• Personal commitment to the values, vision and objectives of the organisation
• Self-motivated and organised
• Collaborative and inclusive

Other Requirements:

• Commitment to high-quality service and efficiency in all aspects of the organisation’s operations
• Evidenced commitment to equality and diversity

Desirable:

• Experience of creating online surveys and managing mailouts
• Knowledge of CRM systems
• Knowledge of grant management systems 

Compensation & Benefits

• Generous holiday allowance plus additional quarterly wellbeing days and Christmas office closure
• Non-contributory pension scheme with 10% employer contribution
• Significant investment in your personal and professional development
• Annual pay review
• Health and well-being programmes
• Regular social activities

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• Apply to our website

Interviews

• The interview date w/c 7th September 2026
• The interview location is London

Policies

Commitment to quality, customer service, best practice and best value in all aspects of the Academy’s operations. Evidenced commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. The Academy is committed to making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that hinder applicants from applying or staff from working effectively and comfortably. With a diverse workforce and an inclusive and supportive culture, we look to attract candidates from a wide and different backgrounds who have a passion for the role engineering plays in society.

We aim to make the Academy the best place to work for the staff we have and those we seek to attract. The Royal Academy of Engineering is proud to be an ‘A’ Rated Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence holder, as approved by the UK Immigration Authorities.

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