Public Affairs Officer x2

The British Academy

About the Organisation

British Academy is the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, culture, and societies. With a Fellowship of around 1,700 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas; engages the public with fresh thinking and debates; and brings together scholars, government, business, and civil society to influence policy. The Academy currently has five directorates: Communications & Marketing; Development; Policy; Research; and Resources, plus a small Governance & Fellowship Team.

About the role

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 pursue 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.

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. You will help to build and strengthen stakeholder relationships and deliver an effective public affairs function for the Academy.

You will be highly organised and able to plan and manage a varied workload. 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.

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. By facilitating and attending bilateral meetings.
• Work with Public Affairs colleagues to identify and liaise with Academy staff, appropriately 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.

Communication and Events:

• Identify opportunities and own the production of timely, accessible external communications - 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.

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.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Requirements:

• 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 & 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 & Planning:

• Manages time and resources effectively 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 & 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.

Required Qualifications

• There are no specific qualification requirements for this role.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive benefits package 
• 34 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays, a subsidised canteen, and an excellent occupational pension.

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely
• Participate in the delivery and attendance of events necessitating working earlier or later than usual.

How to apply

• To apply, and to see the full job description and our workplace values, please apply to the Applied recruitment platform.
• We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview and may involve a task component.
• Please note that we use AI screening software to identify responses that have been copied from AI sources and are not your own work.
• The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on 24th July 2026; however, we may close this role sooner if we receive a high volume of applications. In these circumstances, we will give those who have shown interest 24 hours' notice of the change of deadline.

Interviews

• Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 17th/18th August 2026, but this may be subject to change.

Policies

Our senior management team has worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning & development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success, as we move forward and continue to grow. Academy, including our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement.

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