Job Purpose

The Government Relations Officer will play a key role in developing, supporting and implementing the University of Glasgow’s engagement with government and political stakeholders in alignment with the institution’s strategic objectives. Based in the Principal’s Office, this will involve direct interaction with key stakeholders including at Westminster, Holyrood and in local government. The postholder will be responsible for delivering an extensive programme of political visits and events, monitoring the external environment, producing high-quality briefing materials, and writing tailored communications to specific audiences.

Working closely with senior university staff, the postholder will coordinate effective engagement across senior policy, political, funding, community, civic, and business audiences. As a key member of a small but busy Government Relations team, line-managed by the Head of Government Relations, the postholder will also work closely with the Head of the Principal’s Office/Chief of Staff and Executive Officer, as well as the Principal’s executive support staff, supporting the Principal’s strategic objectives in government relations and contributing to a professional and well-organised public affairs function.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Deliver government relations activity on behalf of the University of Glasgow, working closely with members of the Principal’s Office and other colleagues as required.

2. Identify and secure opportunities for the University to build relationships with elected members at local, Holyrood and Westminster levels, including proactively seeking and managing an extensive programme of political visits to the University.

3. Support the development of effective relationships with civil servants in relevant government departments at all levels, parliaments and other relevant agencies, with a specific focus on relationship building and policy engagement at Westminster and Holyrood.

4. Support the duties of the Head of Government Relations, including providing administrative support for the Government Relations Group, including scheduling, agenda preparation, contributing to papers and maintaining meeting records.

5. Identify and coordinate institutional submissions and responses to relevant parliamentary committees, government inquiries and consultations, ensuring the University’s voice is effectively represented.

6. Draft briefings, correspondence and other documentation to provide timely and relevant updates on University activity to political representatives.

6. Monitor parliamentary activities and key policy developments, ensuring that the Principal and senior colleagues are informed of relevant issues that impact the University’s priorities as outlined in the Government Relations Plan.

7. Provide support to researchers in making links with policy-makers, practitioners and other stakeholders relevant to their field, in promoting the importance of their work and in maximising impact from the research.

8. Contribute to effective processes and systems that support the government relations function, including SharePoint, databases, digital assets (e.g., website), and team planning.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential: A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills through personal development and progression in a similar related role(s). Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 (Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role. A2 Relevant experience, e.g. in a government relations, public affairs, public policy, communications or journalistic role. A3 In-depth knowledge and understanding of the public policy and media landscapes in Scotland and beyond.
A4 Relevant contacts book and demonstrable relationships with opinion formers in public life.

Desirable: B1 Thorough knowledge of public policy and public affairs and the importance of public policy. B2 Working knowledge of the University of Glasgow or the higher education sector and current trends.

B3 Educated to degree level or equivalent.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent writing skills, with the ability to write well for different audiences. C2 Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to communicate complex issues succinctly and accurately. C3 Ability to assimilate and retain information at speed and from both written and oral sources.
C4 An energetic and engaging personality with a high level of personal initiative. C5 Adept at handling and working with senior figures, gaining their respect. C6 Ability to demonstrate leadership and to react coolly with faced with difficult and competing priorities. C7 Must be motivated and be able to lead/influence others within the team and across the university.
C8 Sound judgment under pressure.

C9 Proven analytical and problem solving ability.

C10 Proficiency in using online collaboration tools, including SharePoint and databases, to manage information, track engagement, and support effective decision-making.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience that demonstrates ability to manage workload, ability/willingness to work across teams and capacity to co-ordinate the work of colleagues. E2 Experience of digital media and content creation and content management. E3 Evidence of creative ability linked to the effective presentation of information through social media, to a professional standard. E4 Experience of managing confidential information.
E5 Worked in role where had to develop effective working relationships with colleagues and external partners. E6 Experience of working flexibly and demonstrating adaptability. E7 Experience of applying advanced IT capability/aptitude.

E8 Experience of working closely with senior leaders in an organisation

Desirable: F1 Experience of developing public engagement strategies.

F2 Experience of social media and digital media, ideally in a professional environment.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,482 - £37,174 per annum.

This post is full time and fixed term for 6 months from start date

Closing date: 23:45 9th April 2025

Please Note: If you are a current employee of the University of Glasgow, please be advised that the University would consider an internal secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for internal secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.