Job Description
Full time, permanent role
Closing date 23:59 22nd September 2025
The University of Reading has been at the forefront of UK higher education for nearly a century. We are a collaborative community of innovators and pioneers, pushing academic boundaries and leading social change. We are committed to working together to address the world’s biggest challenges. We are proud to be one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities, ranked among the top 200 universities in the world (194th in the world, 27th in the UK - QS World University Rankings 2026). We are a truly international institution, operating in a highly competitive, global market.
Our 2020-2026 Strategic Plan commits the university to “challenge and transform the outlook of the students we educate, and improve the lives of our neighbours, the prospects for our country, and the future of our planet”. Working towards the plan’s culmination in 2026 and continuing beyond this, our Centenary Year, we want to significantly build on our successes to date, growing our student body and strengthening our brand and profile around the world.
We are looking for an experienced and innovative communications professional who is committed to building impactful partnerships between academia and the world. Based in our External Relations Directorate, the Research Communication & Engagement Manager will help drive forward the University’s research and innovation agenda.
- lead delivery of a stand-out programme to communicate our world-leading research to both the public and our critical stakeholders, with a particular focus on the University’s commitment and research expertise on environmental sustainability
- through this activity, support the University’s strategic activities to boost our global reputation and position us as a Top 100 university
- act as the main point of contact between the External Relations Directorate and our research community, creating and commissioning multi-channel research content.
The University of Reading is a global Top 200 institution with a strong commitment to research excellence and innovation. When you join us, you’ll join our vibrant, inclusive community, set in an award-winning Whiteknights campus, with great transport links to London and beyond and scope for flexible working.
About You
You will be a confident communicator and relationship-builder with research communications and engagement experience. You will be proactive, collaborative, and solutions-focused, with a proven track record of strategic thinking.
Ready to make an impact? Apply now and help shape the future of research at Reading.
Interviews will be held: 30 September 2025
Contact Name Vicky Pearson
Contact Job Title Director of Communication and Engagement
Contact Email address v.a.pearson@reading.ac.uk
Alternative Contact Name Pete Castle
Alternative Contact Job Title External Communications and Public Relations Manager
Alternative Contact p.castle@reading.ac.uk
The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.
