Deputy Director, Government Relations

King’s College London’s mission is to achieve excellence in education and research, using our knowledge with purpose since 1829 for the benefit of society. Our award-winning Communications & External Affairs team plays a key role in helping the university achieve its mission through protecting and enhancing the reputation of King’s.

About The Role

King’s College London is recruiting a Deputy Director of Government Relations to lead and coordinate our engagement with government and policymakers. This senior role is ideal for an experienced professional with a strong understanding of the political landscape and established networks in government and policy circles.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs, you will help shape the university’s government relations strategy and work across King’s to ensure our interests are effectively represented at local and national levels. A key focus will be on developing and managing relationships with political stakeholders, ensuring King’s is recognised as a trusted and constructive voice in public policy.

You will support colleagues across the university to engage confidently with external stakeholders, while also helping to build the university’s presence in key policy discussions. Internally, you will coordinate messaging, align activity and provide timely insight on political and policy developments to senior leaders. We are looking for someone politically astute, collaborative, and confident in navigating complex issues. You’ll bring strong networks, sound judgement, and the ability to foster effective engagement across and beyond the university. This is a full-time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• A good and relevant degree or equivalent experience. A postgraduate or professional qualification desirable;
• Extensive experience of UK policy and government engagement work from within an arm of business, university or other body which has a strong policy interest;
• Well-developed networking skills with evidence of an existing relevant network;
• A strong and capable influencer with the competence and gravitas to work with very senior colleagues and stakeholders;
• Extensive knowledge of the UK policy landscape;
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills;
• Resilience, drive and a self-starter.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working within higher education;
• Budget management skills;
• Social media and web content experience.