Work for us

The University and College Union (UCU) is the largest trade union and professional association for lecturers, learning support staff, academic related staff, trainers, researchers and managers working in further & higher education in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our 120,000 members are employed mainly in colleges, universities and in adult, prison and land-based education. We also have members in the private sector, for example in private training agencies and language schools, as well as members working on a freelance basis. Students training to teach in post-school education also belong to UCU.

Current vacancies

• Head of Communications

Head of Communications

About the role

The department at UCU is seeking a Head of Communications to join the team on a permanent, full time basis. In this exciting role, based in our Carlow Street, London office and reporting to the Head of Campaigns and Communications, your main duties will be:

• to be responsible for the implementation of UCU's communication and media strategies and protocol, covering all relevant channels including social media
• to be responsible for the line management of UCU's communications team, in accordance with UCU's employment policies and procedures
• to ensure that the team's public affairs work addresses UCU's strategic objectives, in consultation with the head of department and other SMT members
• to maintain awareness and knowledge of current issues and political trends in post compulsory education
• to develop and maintain relationships with appropriate media outlets and political contacts in Westminster and beyond.

The ideal candidate must be educated to GCSE level or equivalent (inc. maths & English) and would suit someone with experience of a similar working environment and/or understanding of working for a trade union or other not-for-profit organisation. Other duties to include:

• experience of managing a team of staff
• knowledge of current issues and political trends in post-16 education
• extensive knowledge of individual UK media organisations and social media platforms
• experience of developing and implementing effective communications strategies
• experience of analysing media coverage and engagement and identifying new ways to improve coverage and engagement.

Further information

We welcome applications from any candidate but are particularly keen to receive applications from women and global majority candidates, who are currently underrepresented at this grade in UCU. If this is you and you are interested in the post, we invite you to join an online briefing about the post and what it's like to work at the union, at Tuesday 24 March from 1pm, which will also be an opportunity to ask the recruiting manager questions. All are welcome to join the briefing, especially those who identify as a member of an underrepresented group. If you'd like to attend the briefing, please email recruitment@ucu.org.uk no later than 12 noon on Monday 23 March You do not need to attend the briefing session to apply

To apply, please download an application pack below or email recruitment@ucu.org.uk quoting job reference HOC2:

Application pack: Head of Communications [284kb]

Closing date for applications: Monday 30 March 2026 at 10am

Interview date: Wednesday 29 April 2026

Returning your application

Please note that applicants should apply using the application form and CVs will not be considered. Completed application forms must be received by us by 10am on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered. Applications to be emailed to recruitment@ucu.org.uk

We are happy to accept applications in alternative formats from applicants who, for reasons of disability, may find it difficult to fill in our standard form. Please contact the People and Development Team by e-mail at recruitment@ucu.org.uk or telephone 020 7756 2558 for further details.

Diversity & inclusion monitoring

We need your support to make sure our employees come from a variety of backgrounds, so we especially welcome applications from disadvantaged communities. Even if you are not selected, it would be really helpful if you could complete the diversity & inclusion data when you apply for this role, because we can make sure we are encouraging a diverse mixture of candidates to apply. Thank you very much.

Equal opportunities

UCU is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Benefits of working for the University and College Union

Benefits to support your well-being:

• generous holiday entitlement of 35 days' annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, and 8 closure days with a pro-rata entitlement for part time staff
• disability leave arrangements
• special leave arrangements
• a range of family friendly policies and procedures with enhanced maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental leave schemes
• an Employee Assistance Programme that provides access to 24-hour confidential counselling
• access to advice and face-to-face intervention from a senior chartered physiotherapist through the award-winning Physiotherapy Advice Line service
• flexitime scheme available by agreement where employees can vary their start and finish times or lunch breaks within the set parameters of the work-life balance policy.

Benefits to support you financially:

• all employees are contractually enrolled into the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) where currently the employee contribution is approximately 6.1% of salary and the employer contribution is approximately 14.5% of salary
• we will pay 50% of the net cost of childcare provision for children. The scheme is currently available to employees up to and including Grade G
• interest free season ticket loans to cover the cost of a second-class season ticket between home and the office
• UCU will assist with the cost of an eyesight test and the purchase of a basic pair of glasses, where these are required for DSE use.

Benefits to support your training and development:

• training and developmental support
• access to over 300 eLearning modules through UCU's online training room.