Communications Manager (Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship) at The University of Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom (Hybrid Working)
Salary Range: £49,559 to £60,907 per annum
Job Type: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Visa Sponsorship: Skilled Worker Visa Available
Contract Type: Fixed-term until 30 April 2027
Application Deadline: 18 June 2025

Join a Global Leader in Child Safety Research

The University of Edinburgh is currently inviting talented and experienced professionals to apply for an exciting and meaningful position as Communications Manager, based within the internationally renowned Childlight, Global Child Safety Institute. This role is supported with Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship, making it a fantastic opportunity for international candidates who wish to make a lasting impact in child protection on a global scale.

Childlight is at the forefront of transforming how the world addresses child sexual exploitation and abuse. By harnessing the power of data and robust research methodologies, the institute empowers global stakeholders to enact effective, preventive strategies. As Communications Manager, you will be central to this mission, shaping how the institute communicates its life-changing work across multiple platforms and international audiences.

This full-time, fixed-term post offers a competitive salary, hybrid working flexibility, and the rare chance to contribute to a vital cause with worldwide implications.

About the Role

The Communications Manager will be responsible for spearheading the strategic communications and branding efforts of Childlight, helping to elevate the institute’s profile locally, nationally, and globally. Operating from the Moray House School of Education and Sport—a distinguished school within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS)—you’ll ensure that Childlight’s vision, mission, and research outcomes reach the right audiences with clarity and impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine Childlight’s overarching communications strategy
• Act as the primary liaison for media interactions, managing proactive and reactive media relations with global press
• Coordinate communications across all channels, including digital, print, social, and event-based media
• Curate and publish compelling content that accurately reflects Childlight’s research outputs, activities, and goals
• Build and sustain strong, strategic relationships with international stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, academic partners, media outlets, and policy bodies
• Support the internal culture and communications through newsletters, announcements, and internal branding campaigns
• Enhance and oversee the institute’s web presence, social media profiles, video content, and interactive multimedia assets
• Attend conferences, summits, and relevant events to promote the institute and develop key networks

This position is ideal for a seasoned communicator who thrives in mission-driven settings, is passionate about child rights and safeguarding, and excels at working with diverse audiences and stakeholders.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a confident and creative communications leader who combines excellent strategic thinking with hands-on experience in delivering integrated communications. The ideal candidate should be capable of thriving in an internationally collaborative, fast-paced, and highly sensitive work environment.

Essential Skills & Qualifications:

• A strong background in media relations and public communications, ideally in global, multi-sectoral settings
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing high-impact communications strategies across various platforms
• Cultural competency and experience working across different regions, time zones, and contexts
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to varied audiences
• Proven stakeholder engagement capabilities, with a track record of building productive and respectful relationships
• Deep understanding of ethical communication, especially in the context of vulnerable populations and safeguarding
• Must meet Level 2 Disclosure requirements as part of our safeguarding commitment

Desirable Attributes:

• Experience working with academic institutions, think tanks, or policy research organizations
• Familiarity with public health, human rights, or child protection fields
• Multilingual abilities

Why Join the University of Edinburgh?

Competitive Salary & Employee Benefits:

• Annual remuneration between £49,559 and £60,907 depending on experience
• Flexible and hybrid work arrangements to support work-life balance
• 35-hour standard work week
• Participation in a defined benefit pension scheme
• Substantial annual leave with additional university holidays
• Access to training, development, and wellness initiatives
• Family-friendly policies and employee discount programs
• Opportunities for career advancement within a prestigious global institution

Purposeful and Impact-Driven Work:

• Contribute to a global mission to improve child safety and protection
• Collaborate with world-class researchers and thought leaders
• Influence international policies and interventions through evidence-based advocacy
• Engage in ethical, values-led work with a lasting legacy

Visa Sponsorship and International Candidates

The University of Edinburgh is a licensed UK Skilled Worker Visa sponsor, and welcomes international applications for this role. If you’re applying from outside the UK, you must:

• Meet English language proficiency requirements as outlined by the UK Home Office
• Qualify under the Skilled Worker Visa eligibility criteria

Note: For part-time roles, visa eligibility will be evaluated based on individual circumstances and compliance with UK Home Office policies.

Application Process

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit the following:

• A detailed and up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A well-crafted Cover Letter that outlines your interest in the role, relevant experience, and suitability

The deadline for applications is 18 June 2025 at 11:59pm GMT.

Interviews are anticipated to take place within two weeks of the closing date, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

At the University of Edinburgh, we uphold a strong and proactive commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to ensure that our staff environment is inclusive, respectful, and supportive of everyone, regardless of background.

• We are proud holders of the Athena SWAN Silver Award for gender equality
• Signatories of the Race Equality Charter, working to eliminate racial inequality in higher education
• Active members of Stonewall Scotland’s Diversity Champions programme

We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented and marginalised groups.

About Childlight: Global Child Safety Institute

Childlight is an innovative, mission-focused institute dedicated to advancing global child protection through data, evidence, and policy. It operates from within the University of Edinburgh and seeks to transform systems and narratives around child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Using a public health-informed prevention model, Childlight aims to provide the world’s first global dataset on child sexual abuse, thereby empowering stakeholders with actionable insights.

Strategic Goals Include:

• Generating and disseminating high-quality research to inform global policy and practice
• Establishing collaborative partnerships with NGOs, governments, and academic institutions
• Equipping change-makers with tools and evidence to prevent abuse at scale
• Promoting ethical, child-centered approaches to intervention and advocacy

About the University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked among the top global universities and has a proud history of academic innovation and societal impact. As a research-intensive institution, we prioritize addressing real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Vision for 2030:

• Act with integrity, inclusivity, and excellence in all we do
• Deliver education and research that improves lives locally and globally
• Build strong partnerships to accelerate innovation and influence

About the Moray House School of Education and Sport

A Legacy of Innovation and Leadership

For nearly 200 years, Moray House School of Education and Sport has shaped educational theory and practice. Recognized as Scotland’s leading institution in education and sport, we are proud to be ranked 3rd in the UK for research quality in the field (REF 2021).

Influential Alumni Include:

• Sir Chris Hoy MBE, the UK’s most successful Olympian
• Saroj Lal, trailblazing educator and race relations pioneer

Core Institutional Values:

• Equity and social justice
• Global accessibility and inclusion
• Academic rigor and applied impact

Academic and Study Opportunities

With more than 3,000 students across 29 programmes, the school offers a wide variety of degrees designed to address the complex challenges of modern education and sport policy.

Key Areas of Study:

• Primary and Secondary Teacher Training
• Sport Science, Management, and Policy
• Educational Leadership and Inclusion
• Outdoor, Community, and Experiential Learning
• Language, Intercultural, and Global Education

Research Excellence and Collaboration

The school is home to over 250 academic researchers organized into seven interdisciplinary hubs. These hubs foster collaborative projects, grant-winning research, and global dissemination of findings.

Seven Research Hubs:

• Advanced Quantitative Research in Education (AQRE)
• Children and Young People
• Digital Education
• Language, Interculturality and Literacies
• Social Justice and Inclusion
• Sport-related Research
• Teacher Education, Curriculum, and Pedagogy

Ranked top in Scotland and third in the UK for research excellence in education and sport (REF 2021).

Grow Your Communications Career with Global Impact

Joining Childlight and the University of Edinburgh offers a unique career pathway for passionate communicators who seek to:

• Lead meaningful, values-based communications that influence change
• Work at the intersection of data, research, and social justice
• Expand their international network and visibility
• Develop professionally within a respected and visionary academic institution

Ready to Apply?

Take the next step in your communications career by applying to a role that truly matters.

Click below to start your application:

[Apply Here]

Application Deadline: 18 June 2025
Expected Interview Date: Approximately two weeks after the closing date