Public Affairs and External Engagement Manager

University of Sheffield - Marketing, Admissions, Recruitment and Communications

Location: Sheffield

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Placed On: 17th September 2025

Closes: 3rd October 2025

Job Reference Number: 1476

Working Pattern: Full time

Faculty: Professional Services

Are you a highly-motivated and experienced public affairs professional looking to make an impact? The University of Sheffield is seeking a Public Affairs and External Engagement Manager to join our Communications team and play a key role in strengthening the University's reputation, relationships, and influence with regional and national stakeholders.

You'll be instrumental in developing and delivering impactful public affairs, communications, and external engagement campaigns that support the University’s strategic objectives and enhance our reputation. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of a leading Russell Group university, building advocacy for our world-class research, innovation and education.

This is a fast-paced and challenging role that will require managing a complex proactive and reactive workload. You'll coordinate high-profile visits and events; lead a wide range of stakeholder communications, from writing letters, briefings and speeches to news articles, opinion editorials, and newsletters; and engage with key external audiences, from policymakers to community partners. You will have strong judgement to manage issues, protecting and enhancing the reputation of the University and providing sound advice and recommendations to colleagues and senior leaders.

We are looking for a strategic thinker who can work independently and as part of a team to deliver impactful communications and external engagement activities, with an excellent understanding of parliamentary process and experience of building productive relationships.

You will be part of the University’s Department of Marketing, Admissions, Recruitment and Communications (MARC), which is collectively responsible for external and internal engagement, reputation and branding, marketing, market insight and research, corporate communications, admissions, events, student recruitment and access strategies for the University.

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Find out more at sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits and join us to become part of something special.