The Policy Officer (Europe) role acts as UUKi’s principal policy expert for the European region. This is an exciting opportunity at a key time in UK-EU relations with the UK rejoining the Erasmus+ scheme from 2027 and having recently re-associated to Horizon Europe. Your role will be to provide high quality analysis, information, advice and guidance on developments across Europe, identifying opportunities and challenges for the UK higher education sector. You will build and maintain strong relationships with universities and other sector stakeholders, while engaging regularly with policymakers, government officials and other influential stakeholders across the UK, the EU and individual European countries. 

Working collaboratively across UUKi’s core policy areas, you will ensure that European developments are reflected in the organisation’s wider international policy work and that the interests and priorities of UK universities are effectively represented. You will also contribute to UUKi’s wider programme of research, publications, events and stakeholder engagement, helping to turn policy insight into practical value for members.

Interviews are expected to take place on 12 and 13 November 2026.

Closing Date: 25 Oct 2026
Category: Jobs

The Policy Officer (East Asia and Americas) role acts as our principal policy expert across East Asia and the Americas. This exciting role will offer the chance to work in two of the most strategically important regions for the higher education sector and international collaboration, as well as the opportunity to work on some high-profile and sometimes challenging issues.   

You will be the key point of contact for UUK members, international stakeholders, government officials and policymakers, with the opportunity to develop a deep regional expertise and use this to support the international ambitions of our members across all of UUKi’s policy work. This includes our work on international recruitment and mobility, global research, as well as transnational education (TNE).   

You will be responsible for providing high-quality information, advice and guidance, developing and maintaining strong relationships with the higher education sector and working with policymakers in both the UK and around the world.           

Interviews are expected to take place in mid-November. 

Closing Date: 25 Oct 2026
Category: Jobs

As part of UUKi, the Partnerships and External Affairs (PEA) team represent our member universities on the international stage by influencing the funding, operational, and policy environment surrounding international higher education. We do this through the delivery of UUKi’s contracted work, engagement with UUKi’s networks, and management of UUKi’s analysis and insight activities, as well as capacity building opportunities for members. We are also responsible for events throughout the year and lead on our external communications such as the website, campaigns, social media, and blogs.  

As Partnerships Manager, your role will be the development, management, and implementation of new and existing partnerships and programmes which benefit the UK higher education sector and our member universities. This includes all aspects of the development and implementation of contract work streams for UUKi, from programme design and setting up workflows, to financial management and reporting on programme impact. You will also play a key role in developing and maintaining excellent relationships with stakeholders, including UK government officials, partner organisations (both in the UK and overseas), funding bodies and UK universities.

Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 04 November. 

Closing Date: 19 Oct 2026
Category: Jobs

Universities UK (UUK) is the collective voice of 142 universities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our mission is simple but ambitious: thriving universities, serving society. We influence the policy and political decisions that shape higher education — working with government, parliamentarians and partners to make the case for universities' considerable role in economic growth, opportunity and discovery.

The opportunity

This is one of the most influential public affairs roles in the higher education sector. As Deputy Director, Public Affairs, you'll be part of UUK's senior leadership, shaping where and how we spend our political capital — and leading the team that turns that strategy into real influence in Westminster.

You'll advise the Chief Executive and Board on political strategy, build and mobilise a wide network of political and stakeholder relationships, and lead a talented four-person Public Affairs team. It's a role for someone who already has the Westminster contacts and instincts to hit the ground running, but who also wants the scope to build something — new systems, new coalitions, a stronger political voice for universities — at a pivotal moment. Universities are going through once-in-a-generation change which the person in this post will play a material role in shaping.

An interest in higher education policy is welcome, but not essential — we're looking for public affairs leadership, influence and judgement first and foremost.

What you'll do

• Advise UUK's Chief Executive and Board on political priorities and where to focus the organisation's political capital.
• Lead and develop a high-performing Public Affairs team, setting the strategy that delivers UUK's political priorities.
• Build and own senior relationships — in government, Parliament and beyond — and open doors for UUK’s CEO and elected board so that UUK has the influence a sector of 142 universities warrants.
• Mobilise UUK's wider membership behind shared political priorities, and build coalitions with external partners to extend our reach.
• Spot emerging political risks for the sector early, and shape UUK's response to them.
• Oversee UUK's work with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Universities.
• Play an active role in UUK's senior management team, including championing our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion priorities, and deputise for the Director of Communications as needed.

What we're looking for

You'll need:

• The gravitas to advise senior leaders, boards or executive teams on political strategy and priorities.
• Experience influencing at Cabinet Minister / senior official level, with real public affairs impact to show for it – you’ll be able to demonstrate how you’ve driven real political change.
• Excellent, current Westminster contacts and a strong grasp of how to work Parliament and the legislative process.
• Experience designing and delivering political influencing campaigns, including stakeholder or coalition-building and working with media and digital teams to influence policy.
• Experience leading and developing a team, with the judgement to prioritise resource against competing demands.
• Experience of advancing organisational commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion.

It would also be great if you have:

• Knowledge of the higher education sector and its policy landscape.
• A degree or equivalent professional experience.

What we offer

• Salary: £76,283 - £84,759 dependent on experience 
• A generous USS pension scheme 
• 27 days' leave annual entitlement plus bank holidays 
• Hybrid working — 40% of time in UUK’s central London office over the course of a month, including regular Westminster-facing time and occasional evening/early-morning events.
• Interest free season ticket loans after 6 months, Virtual Medical Care (24 hour access to GP consultations and physio), access to 24-hour 7-day a week Employee Assistant Programme which extends access to close family, with additional benefits visible in the recruitment pack

UUK is committed to being an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those currently under-represented in senior public affairs roles.

How to apply

• Please complete an application form and include your CV (a maximum of three pages) and covering letter (no more than two pages) addressing the criteria above 
• Closing date: Sunday 18 October
• For an informal, confidential discussion about the role, contact: Seb.Gordon@universitiesuk.ac.uk (no agencies please)

We think this is one of the most exciting roles in public affairs right now. Our universities make a huge contribution to national life and they are committed to evolving to do even more. Help us to secure the political support they need.

Closing Date: 18 Oct 2026
Category: Jobs