"Public and Community Engagement Administrator"

Engagement is about bringing together and valuing people of all backgrounds to share learning, enter meaningful dialogue and to truthfully collaborate on solving challenges. The Public and Community Engagement team aspire to enable, empower and inspire our internal community of incredible staff and students in carrying out high quality, equitable engagement with people locally, nationally and internationally. We’ve recently signed a Civic Agreement with local councils highlighting our shared intent to tackle economic and social challenges and are overhauling our offer to ensure that the University of Southampton is not just world-leading in its research, education and enterprise but in its role in society too.

The role and you

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a vibrant and committed Public and Community Engagement team in a permanent administrative role. The role holder will be a key part of our administrative team, directly supporting our PERu-Civic-Community programme, administering the logistics and data management of the Festivals, Research Roadshow and Poetic Science programme, liaising with exhibitors and supporters and contributing to external communications. You will be supporting the delivery of strategic programme objectives, including the Arts and Humanities Festival and the Southampton Science and Engineering Festival (SOTSEF), a major event that draws 5000+ visitors and involves 800+ students, staff and community member exhibitors as well as the Bringing Research to Life Roadshow, Southampton Arts and Humanities Festival and other related events.

You will be someone who has experience in and thrives in improving processes and systems, is highly organised, professional and comfortable engaging with people at all levels of the organisation to build and maintain productive relationships. A good foundation in Customer Service will be essential, with the ability to clearly communicate and listen to needs, both in person and digitally.

What we can offer you

As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work.

As well as additional benefits that will make your life easier, such as a generous holiday allowance and additional university closure days. We will support your long-term future too, with access to a pension scheme, subsidized health and fitness facilities and a range of discounts. All our benefits can be viewed here.

If you wish to discuss the role informally in more detail, please email Lisa Hanley (Deputy Head of Public Engagement, l.hanley@soton.ac.uk) or Ronda Gowland-Pryde (Senior Civic, Community and Public Engagement Manager, r.j.gowland-pryde@soton.ac.uk). Please note the expected interview date is 27/11/2025.