You will be enthusiastic about developing new ideas to influence key stakeholders and decision makers and be creative in approaching policy challenges. You will enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and responding to political developments, with an ability to work on multiple projects at any one time.

Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 04 December 2026.

When completing your application please note that this will be assessed on the specific examples of your experience that you provide for each section of the application form. We also ask that you restrict your statements to a maximum of 200 words for each section of the application form.

Closing Date: 23 Nov 2026
Category: Jobs

We are seeking an energetic and creative individual to fill an exciting Senior Policy Officer role, leading on research, innovation, and regional economic development policy. The role is a rare opportunity to work at the heart of Scottish higher education, working closely with Principals and senior colleagues in universities, government, funders, and other representative bodies.

Universities Scotland is a team of 16 staff covering all aspects of policy that affect a complex, >£5 billion sector. We aim to be a confident, creative organisation, with an emphasis on learning and integrity. In developing evidence-based policy proposals and the promotion of our messages, we aim to achieve a positive and significant impact for our members.

You will have a strong ability to assimilate and analyse large amounts of evidence, understanding members' and stakeholders' priorities, and developing policy proposals that can influence our key audiences. You will have the capacity to be authoritative and persuasive in your presentation to senior audiences within and outside Universities Scotland.

The successful applicant will have the flexibility to build and maintain a wide range of stakeholder connections; understand diverse issues and perspectives quickly; build strategic connections between varied policy areas; and work with our specialist public affairs and communications team to turn evidence into persuasive stories. You will also work more broadly across our team to deliver on key policy and advocacy issues across our responsibilities.

This role is based at our office in Edinburgh, but our team works on a hybrid basis between the office, homeworking, and attending meetings in the sector and with other stakeholders.

Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 17 December 2026.

Closing Date: 22 Nov 2026
Category: Jobs

This is an important, fixed-term, position for 12-months in a small but high-performance public affairs team. The role will involve broad responsibilities for the development and maintenance of effective relationships with the Scottish and UK Parliaments, the Scottish media and stakeholders in the interests of our member institutions. The post holder will play a significant role in the development of persuasive communications, briefing materials, events and other actions in pursuit of the organisation’s policy and funding objectives.

The role will suit a creative, energetic and outcomes focused individual with previous experience in a campaigning organisation, someone with good political knowledge and someone with a passion for higher education.

Universities Scotland is a team of 16 staff covering all aspects of policy that affect a complex, >£5 billion sector. We aim to be a confident, creative organisation, with an emphasis on learning and integrity. In developing evidence-based policy proposals and the promotion of our messages, we aim to achieve a positive and significant impact for our members.

Interviews are expected to take place on Monday 14 December 2026.

Closing Date: 29 Nov 2026
Category: Jobs