Public Affairs Manage

Closing Date: 8 February 2024 - 12:00 noon This role offers flexible and remote working, but with an expectation of on-campus attendance in Milton Keynes, 1 day per week (currently Wednesday), with London and other locations ad hoc as required.   Change your career, change lives The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. The role The Public Affairs Manager will support The Open University’s (OU) engagement with stakeholders across Westminster and Whitehall as well as umbrella bodies to assist in influencing public policy and funding priorities set by the UK Government. You will play a key part in providing effective parliamentary monitoring, briefing internal and external leads, delivering political stakeholder visits, and coordinating the Government and External Affairs (GEA) team’s work with academic research and insights. The role will report to the Senior Public Affairs Manager and will work closely with other members of the GEA team, the wider Strategy Office, and relevant departments across the University including our OU colleagues in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Skills and experience  Excellent organisational and project management skills. Direct Westminster parliamentary experience or relevant experience working in the Public Affairs or think tank sector. Strong understanding of the political landscape across the UK, in particular the workings of Westminster and Whitehall. Excellent inter-personal skills and an ability to establish strong working relationships with figures outside and within the University. Strong communication skills, including an ability to write clearly and succinctly, and to speak engagingly. Good analytical skills, including an ability to gather, analyse, interpret, and present information effectively. A willingness to work flexible hours (some evening and weekends). A degree, equivalent qualification, or experience. The full summary of duties and skills required for the role can be found within the Job Description. If you would like to discuss the application or recruitment process before making an application, please contact Emma Jones at Resourcing Hub on 01908 655544 or resourcing-hub@open.ac.uk quoting the reference VRF 21427. What you get in return We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs. We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days.